If you don't get a job in house, you're the boss, owner, accountant, sales person, HR, etc. My life everyday!
Very well put. It's astonishing the # of hats we have to wear each and every day to keep getting better and better. To do well, especially in this industry, you'll need skills in the following:
- Piloting (being proficient and safe in many various flight envelops)
- Maintenance (gotta keep your equipment in Tip Top Shape)
- Photographer (anyone can snap a picture but being able to see, compose, and frame the subject matter to be WOW takes a photographer)
- Editor
- Salesman
- Accountant
- Cheerleader (lol no really)
- Collections
- Marketing GuRu
Some of the above you can "hire out" but that cuts (and deeply) into your bottom line.
As stated already if you can find a process/market/niche where you can stand out your odds are increased greatly.