Having to overcome unexpected problems is a hallmark of entrepreneurship. Almost every business owner, artist, maker, and creative we know has had to deal with countless unexpected problems that arise in the journey and so we asked some brilliant folks from the community to share their stories of the unexpected problems they’ve faced along the way.

Alexander Shalom Joseph

I was paying $300 a month to live in an attic in Bellingham, Washington and could not for the life of me find a job. This was right after college, about a year into me discovering writing as a focal point of my life. I would look for jobs: part time dish washing jobs, car lot attendant jobs, construction jobs but I never got a single one. So I spent most days walking down beside the bay, pausing to write poems into a little yellow notebook I kept in my pocket and to jot down notes for what would become my first novel. In time, as I still could get no job and my savings were waning, I began to live mostly off oatmeal and type the day away in my attic. Read more>>

Karina Stafford

One of the most unexpected challenges I faced as a business owner of Catalyst Tea Company was my dream of opening a tea house in Las Vegas. By that point, I had been running my business for about six years, blending herbal teas, selling them online, and hosting workshops that brought people together over tea. The idea of having a physical space—a tea house—where people could experience my blends in person felt like a natural next step. I envisioned a space where customers could walk in and create their own personalized tea blends at my signature Catalyst Tea Herbal Bar. They could enjoy it in a cozy atmosphere or take it to go. Read more>>

Jordyne Mcneil

Creativity has been a significant part of my life since I was a little girl. I always envisioned myself doing something related to art, specifically painting. However, my parents, who are very traditional, believed that pursuing a career in painting would not provide me with financial stability. They held the belief that college should be about choosing a major that could lead to a secure job and financial well-being, a mindset I still think about today. Read more>>

Lacie Yancey

In April 2024, I accepted a Director of Finance and Operations role, excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to the company. During the interview process, I was transparent about not having experience in one specific duty the role required. I was assured that proper training would be provided to help me succeed in that area. However, once I started, the company lacked the resources to deliver on this promise. Read more>>

Patrick Yates

I’m a psychedelic experimental bass music producer named Pickler and I own a record label called Orphin Records out of Chicago, IL. I believe in my vision so blindly that nothing can deter me from where I’m going.
During a string of shows I had during the summer of 2023, I had 5 in 6 days. From Chicago, to St. Louis, to the Ozarks, back to St. Louis, and then back to Chicago again. I hit the road in my 2019 Toyota Corolla. Ended up playing one of the greatest shows imaginable in the Ozarks, MO, and through 3 days of travel and barely any sleep, I never made it to my next show in Missouri. Read more>>

Jacque Jordan

The year was 2019, I was a fresh graduate of Belmont University’s songwriting department. I had big dreams, and an even bigger pride in my craft. So much so, that I was working three jobs so I could keep my musical freedom. I was a nanny on the weekdays, worked retail on the weekends, and property managed for private investors. One day, a small Christian label reached out to me to write an album for them. I knew people involved, and although I didn’t quite understand their mission, someone wanted to fund my whole album, market it, and support me; it’s every artists dream, and it should have been a giant red flag. Read more>>