You can Be a Creative AND a Profitable Business Owner
"We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can't have both. Not at the same time."
The incredible Brene Brown gave us this challenging advice in one of my favorite books of all time, Rising Strong. And who am I to argue with Brene?! But here's the deal...
I once spent a season of my life caring for 3 foster babies (5 and under) and it was an unbelievable challenge — one that definitely required courage, and ultimately helped me appreciate the comfort of a quiet house too! More recently I sold 90% of my belongings, said goodbye to a home I loved, and moved to an island. I'm learning to pursue the tension between living a brave life and embracing rest — both personally and as a creative business owner.
What I’m trying to say is: It's ok to have seasons of courage AND seasons of comfort. Just like it’s ok to be creative AND profitable in your business!
It's not all or nothing.
How about another story to illustrate my point? It’s an entrepreneurial saga filled with ups and downs and twists and turns. Who doesn’t love a little drama?
Becoming a Creative Entrepreneur
I more or less “stumbled” my way into creative entrepreneurship. I figured out pretty early that I wasn’t cut out for the 9-5, but I had no background or training in running a business. I also had no model or example. The adults in my life had taken the "regular path". You know the one — 40 hours a week at a decent job… not as much money as you want, but enough… not the kind of work you're in love or passionate about, but retirement benefits.
It took me several years (and several attempts) to fully reject the inherited belief that you have to have a "real job" to be a successful adult.
Luckily, I had enough grit and creativity to keep trying, but I definitely took the hard way sometimes. Like the time I started baking cupcakes in my in-laws kitchen and selling at the local farmers market every week, or the time I struggled for several years to make any profit from my hand lettering Etsy shop.
Sugar Mama Bakeshop and Bow + Arrow Art helped me teach myself the basics of building a personal brand and social media marketing. I read every content marketing article I could get my hands on and listened to all the podcasts from Amy Porterfield to Jenna Kutcher. I followed all the gurus, and tried so many "proven blueprints for success". 😅
And here's the main thing I learned:
The blueprint only works if you're brave enough to use it.
You can Be a Creative AND a Profitable Business Owner
Have you ever struggled with labeling yourself a business owner? Maybe you're comfortable calling yourself a creative, but not really an entrepreneur... or an artist, but not a business person. I know I did for a long time — as though all of this was just magically running itself? (Again with the all or nothing mentality!)
Let me say this loud, for the people in the back: It's definitely possible to be BOTH creative & business minded. I’ve learned to be brave and confident and take ownership of what I’m building, and you can too.
Are you in a rest season or a brave season? Need a pep talk? You're officially invited to my Marketing + Mindset community: JOIN HERE and I'll send you monthly content ideas to use on your social media media platforms… because who has time to come up with all that marketing content on their own? Plus sometimes I announce workshops, my favorite tools, and new free resources that I create. 💕
PS if you need some book recommendations to spur you on and make you feel braver: These are my favorites!
