As almost any entrepreneur or creative will tell you, unexpected problems are to be expected. Below, you’ll hear some incredible stories that highlight and illustrate the kinds of issues and problems entrepreneurs and creatives are dealing with everyday. It’s not easy, but the silver lining is that dealing with unexpected problems is one of the best ways to develop antifragility.

Lisa Bell

I provide tours in historic Savannah. During the tour we play Trivia about Savannah. Questions are about Savannah’s history, This tour walks through our historic district making stops at a couple of pubs for purchasing To-go drinks (Savannah is an open container city) and gives guests the chance to use the facilities. The tour should be approximately 2 to 2 and a half hours long. One of the unexpected problems in incurred is “The Stops”. Read more>>

Edith Arroyo

Any professional singer can tell you that taking care of your voice is super important. Unfortunately, sometimes we come across some issues we can’t prevent but we learn to manage. For me specifically, for as I can remember I’ve had issues with my breathing. I remember playing outside during recess and I would get winded so fast. It was really frustrating really, growing up with frequent trips to the hospital for treatments. Read more>>

Lesli Bohm

What if someone searching online doesn’t know your product even exists? What if they think they know what they’re looking for, but items similar in the category display before yours? What key words does one use? A Sweeter Seat is currently the only item in the market of it’s kind. How do you, as a customer, search for something you didn’t know you needed? That has been one of our biggest challenges. Read more>>

Enrique Trevino

Let me start by saying that it’s great being invited back to share updates about my story and that of my company! I hope that I can share things of value with whoever reads this and inspire people who are persevering through the ups and downs of starting a new business. Read more>>

Todd Huber

I think one of the most pressing and unexpected issues in the life of an artist is “the audience.” It’s very similar to the literature dealing with communication and language, so much of the focus is on the message and so little is put on the receiver of the message, while this is not truly how the world works. As a youth, we are taught to constantly think about our creations and our intentions. Read more>>

Nessa Amherst

I joined the Actors Equity Association in November 2022 through the Open Access program, which allows actors to show proof of working professionally to join the union. I joined after working on an Equity contract as an understudy, and I was over the moon to join! Read more>>

Amauriye Cunningham

So biggest issue I’ve ever had that had an impact on my career was losing my grandmother nd cousin within months from eachother the world was going great for me I was making great music had just graduated high and my plans for after I got out had changed drastically when a month later my granny had a stroke nd was Ina hospital for a month before she passed I felt like I had everything going good my music connects to my opportunities But after losing her it felt like I shut down I was suppose to be moving in with my grandmother after graduation Read more>>

Mathieu Bolillo

After 6 years of Performing with Cirque du Soleil for the Show Ka in Las Vegas, i decided to give myself the time to rest and create a unique act; I came back to France and … 3 weeks later I contracted chicken pox. At 30. It was the most challenging moment of my entire life. I almost died from it and lost everything I build for my body and my mind: Muscles, skills, motivation, dedication, sensations with muscles memory, drills that I learned since the age of 8 and so on… Read more>>

Val / John McKissick / Miller

Our biggest unexpected issue is definitely setting up at events we go set up a vendor booth at. It’s been interesting going through the process if figuring out what works best for us, especially for outdoor events. You don’t really realize how stressful it can be to find a good way to display everything and be prepared for weather conditions whether it be temperature, rain, or our latest endeavor had us fighting with the wind all day. Read more>>

Carissa Flores

I started pursuing my small business at the end of 2019. Energized by doing the calligraphy for my own wedding, I created some envelope and seating chart samples and asked friends if I could do their wedding calligraphy. I finally got my first wedding envelope client whose wedding was scheduled for spring 2020, and in early 2020, a few more signage and envelope orders trickled in. Read more>>

Jaylah Fellows

Balancing my pre-med studies with my passion for makeup artistry and art has presented some unexpected challenges. One significant issue I’ve encountered is dealing with creative blocks. As an artist, my work relies on inspiration and creativity, but there are moments when ideas don’t flow as easily as I’d like. It can be frustrating and hinder both my artistic output and my motivation to create. Read more>>

Richie Rosen

One unexpected and rather frustrating problem that I have run into is that of my wax molds getting damaged during shipping to the foundry. It has been a real problem! Read more>>

Justin Alexander

Issues with being an artist? More so like expected maintenance with having creative block here and there. Its frustrating at times, but I tell myself that’s the check engine light going off to unplug and go live life for a while, have some new experiences, try some different things so that you can have something to pull inspiration from. Read more>>

Jeramie Chittick

As a tattooer your living is only as good as your clientele allows. Without a solid base of clients in the tattoo industry you are basically working from the reach of whatever studio you are in. Having moved to Austin and not having a client list of locals I am currently working to rebuild back to what I had in Indianapolis . Relocating I knew would be like hitting the reset button and would put me back in the position of being a relative unknown. Read more>>