When I first became a creative entrepreneur in 2019, it felt kinda lonely at first because no one I knew was taking that path. Now, a few years in, many lessons learned, many ‘failures’ survived, and post-a-pandemic, it seems like there are many more entering the field of being entrepreneurs, whether full-time or as a side hustle. This post is dedicated to helping you feel less alone at the beginning of your journey!
What is a Creative Entrepreneur?
Creative entrepreneurship is the process of using your creativity to start a business or side hustle with plans for growth. Essentially, it’s about using your creativity to make money.
Typically, creative souls are drawn into the world of entrepreneurship because of the…
- Infinite creative freedom
- Independence and flexibility it provides in being one’s own boss
- Financial possibilities of having no salary or cap to what one can earn
That said, it’s important that you realize entrepreneurship isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and it’s not for everyone. YES, there are great possibilities that come from entrepreneurship, but there are also great challenges.
Read about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship
Identify if Entrepreneurship is For You
Just like a traditional 9-5, or a 12-hour shift may not work for some, the lifestyle of entrepreneurship certainly doesn’t work for everyone!
That’s why before you leap into entrepreneurship, you take a moment to peel back the curtain of glimmer and glamour that you may be putting over entrepreneurship. Not that there are not beautiful, beneficial and glamorous parts of it – because there absolutely can be. But starting a business and being an entrepreneur is HARD – and there’s a reason that not everyone does it. Between long hours, less security and higher risk, this lifestyle is not for everyone.
It’s important that you take some time to identify if this is what you really want or what you think you want. If you’re a bit unsure if entrepreneurship is for you, maybe you could consider starting a side-hustle to start (a business on the side of your current job) to lower the risk, and give yourself an easy exit if you discover that entrepreneurship isn’t for you.
There’s alot of talk about “faking it til you make it” and “diving in headfirst to your dreams” but I also believe in being realistic and pragmatic. This is never meant to sway you away from entrepreneurship, but to just assure you that it’s ALSO okay if you realize it’s not for you!
Identify Your Strengths + Passions
When you decide you want to be a creative business owner of entrepreneur, you’ll need to come up with a business idea! To do so, consider what your strengths and natural aptitudes are.
Harvard Business School ranks the following as the top traits of successful entrepreneurs:
- Curiosity
- Willingness to Experiment
- Adaptability
- Decisiveness
- Self-Awareness
- Risk Tolerance
- Comfort With Failure
- Persistence
- Innovative Thinking
- Long Term Focus
Which of these aptitudes do you have already?
It’s also important to consider…
- How would I like to spend my time?
As mentioned above, entrepreneurship is a time-consuming endeavour. So if you’re going to be spending many hours of your day in your business, you want it to be in pursuit of what makes your soul feel aligned and fulfilled!
Types of Creative Businesses You Can Build
You can consider building a…
- Service-based business
- Coaching/ consulting based business
- Product-based business
As your business grows, you may blend some of these areas or move from one type of business into another. For example, perhaps you begin as a copywriter (service-based business), and then you begin to mentor and coach other copywriters.
Examples of Creative Businesses
There are infinite ideas of creative businesses you could start. As a solopreneur, you could consider offering one of the following:
- Copywriting
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- SEO Expert
- Graphic Designer
- Website Designer
- Photographer
- Artisan/ Artist
- Musician
- Coach/ Consultant
Resources for Creative Entrepreneurs:
5 Mindset Mantras for Creative Entrepreneurs
Self-Care Ideas for When You Need Them as an Entrepreneur
28 Life + Mindset Lessons for Creative Entrepreneurs
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs in your Creative Business
How to Deal with Imposter Syndrome as a Creative
Meet Lauren Osselton, Coach for Creatives
As a multi-passionate creative writer, artist and coach for creatives, I truly understand the range of emotions and experiences that come from living a creative life.
as a coach for creative souls, my passion is helping you reconnect with your resilient soul so you can LIVE YOUR SOUL’S PURPOSE.
my approach is MINDSET MEETS SPIRITUALITY
i use a range of tools and modalities to work with my clients to heal and release habitual ways of being that are no longer serving them.
though i’ve gratefully worked with some incredible creative souls, my greatest case study is myself. i’ve been on an anxiety and trauma healing journey for 22 years and I’m here to share my magic and wisdom with you.
Discover What Makes YOU Feel FULFILLED
Watch this free workshop to:
shift your focus from outward success to inner fulfillment
dedicate yourself to your most creative + fulfilled self
understand how to create sustaining life-changing habits
Questions? Comments? I'm all ears! Share your thoughts below...