Navigating the Challenges of Creative Entrepreneurship

The common obstacles all creative entrepreneurs face and tips for navigating them.

Creative entrepreneurship is defined as using creative or artistic skills to provide products and services. Many creative entrepreneurs have intense passion for their craft and embark on business ventures as a way to pursue a living doing something they love.

Creative entrepreneurs take many forms, from photographers and writers to designers of all kinds (web, clothing, graphic etc.).

The most attractive aspects of being a creative entrepreneur include the ability to make your own rules, choosing where and when you work, as well as who you work with, doing work that interests you, and the freedom to pivot and try new things.

Common Challenges All Creative Entrepreneurs Face

Even the most experienced and confident people have struggles and face obstacles. Creatives included. Creative Entrepreneurs often take quite a bit of risk, and the learning curve for running a lucrative business is steep. Take note of these common challenges and how to overcome them.

Balancing Creativity and Business

Finding the right combination of passion as well as a practical outlook of the bottom line is tricky. Especially as a new entrepreneur - you're excited and optimistic and may not be very concerned with the business side of things.

At some point, if you want to create a sustainable, manageable business that works for your lifestyle, you need to plan and get familiar with the parts of the business besides the fun stuff.

Tip: Develop a Strategic Plan and a repeatable process. This will give you clear direction on your business vision and goals, along with an action plan.

"Creativity gives you a competitive advantage by adding value to your service and differentiating your business from the competition." – Linda Naiman

Spread Too Thin

Many entrepreneurs and small business owners operate from a constant state of overwhelm because they don't have enough or the right kind of help and support.

As a creative entrepreneur, you may not have set out to start a business. You may be way more comfortable with the creative side and need support when it comes to the business side of things.

Finding the right people to help you with the aspects of your business that don't come naturally can make all the difference. If you can afford to outsource or bring on an assistant and delegate some of your responsibilities, you'll have more time and energy for the parts of your business you do best.

Tip: There are many free online resources to help with various business basics, but as your business grows it may be worth investing in an advisor or consultant to help with these aspects of the business.

Creative Burnout

Burnout, specifically as a creative, can have a huge negative effect on your business. If you are a content creator, or the face of your business, you need to show up as your best self for your biz.

If a big part of what you sell is related to your energy and creativity, you need to protect your energy. Just like a singer rests their voice while on tour, you need to rest and refill your cup so that you can be "on" when the time comes.

It can feel counterintuitive to take time away from work when you have so much on your plate, but it's important to recognize that you can't pour from an empty cup.

Tip: Familiarize yourself with the signs of burnout to help prevent it and consider an accountability partner to help keep you in check and make sure that you're taking those breaks when you need them.

Imposter Syndrome

The sooner you accept that everyone experiences imposter syndrome now and again, the less power it will have over you. Even the most successful people doubt themselves at times.

You'll never be 100% confident. With each new phase of life and business comes resistance and questions of "Am I worthy" or "Can I really do this?"

Having these feelings and questions means you're pushing yourself and getting outside your comfort zone, which is how you learn and grow.

Tip: Create an inspiration folder by saving positive feedback, reviews, kind words from friends, journal excerpts from good days etc. You can do this with physical paper and/or on your computer. The point is to have a resource for when you're doubting yourself. Use these past accomplishments and good memories as a reminder of what you're capable of and the impact you and your work have on others.

Finding your niche

As a creative business it can be helpful to find and serve a niche market. This helps you stand out among a sea of more generalized businesses. But it can take time to find the right niche for you.

Bring your creativity to finding your niche and look at it as an opportunity rather than an issue that needs to be solved. The opportunity is to find the people who resonate with your message the most, and be of service to them.

Tip: Be open to trying new things. Avoid putting all your resources into one single offer. When starting out try a few different things and see what people respond to. Avoid getting to attached to an idea until you know it's worth your energy.

Isolation & Uncertainty

If you've had a traditional job in the past, it can take time to adjust to being a solopreneur. You may miss things about working in an office you never expected to, like having office mates, having a reason to put on real clothes and leave the house, or being able to get up and walk around for a while.

Not to mention the stigma that can come with being self-employed and not subscribing to the traditional career formula. It's so important to find a community of fellow entrepreneurs who understand the struggle and can be there for you when things are rough.

Tip: Find a co-working space, work at coffee shops or the library when you just need to get out of the house. Find a small business group in your city or online to find some comradery and support. Get a mentor and meet regularly.