How do you go from being a shy, technically minded student to owning a wedding photography business that shoots over 250 events a year? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson speaks with Peter Bendevis, a Student Works Management Program alumnus whose story is a masterclass in personal transformation, entrepreneurial thinking, and taking bold risks early in life.
Peter opens up about his early struggles with confidence and communication—skills he began to develop through his experience as a Student Works operator. That foundation later empowered him to take on major business ventures, including purchasing a restaurant franchise while still in college and launching a full-time photography business.
In this conversation, Peter shares how he scaled his business through smart advertising, customer relationship management, and loss-leader strategies, and how working at a small accounting firm gave him hands-on exposure to entrepreneurial challenges across industries. From technical skills to leadership mindset, this episode offers powerful insights for anyone looking to take their career—and confidence—to the next level.
Enjoy!
Key takeaways
Guest Bio:
Peter Bendevis, CPA, CA, is a Student Works Management Program alumnus and a partner at RLC LLP, with a background in accounting, entrepreneurship, and photography. After gaining deep experience at a small accountancy firm, Peter made a bold career shift to pursue his passion for photography full-time, successfully building a business that shoots hundreds of weddings annually. He is also a former restaurant franchise owner and a firm believer in balancing technical expertise with strategic business thinking.
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Disclaimer:
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