Profits differ from net income, and no where is there clearer than for small business owner-operators, artists, and creatives. Just because you have a certain amount of money left over after covering expenses doesn’t mean you’ve made profits. Why? Because you have to factor in the cost of your labor and the risk you took and so after factoring that in, millions of small businesses and artists and creatives are operating with little to no profit. However, it doesn’t have to be this way and so we wanted to create a space where sharp entrepreneurs and creatives could come together and discuss the challenges to profitability and potential solutions. If you have something valuable to add to this conversation that can help others achieve profitability, please reach out to us as we want to get your ideas in front of our readers.

Q Morris.

The biggest challenge is consistency. Plenty of people can do the job, but there aren’t too many that can keep doing it when immediate results aren’t realized. Read more>>

Eryn Vargo

The biggest challenge to profitability in the digital media world is people undervaluing what we do. This platform is my small business, my paycheck and my contribution to supporting my family. Most companies that want to advertise with us, devalue what we offer, who we reach and what goes into it. Read more>>

Jessica Linn

As a content creator/blogger I’ve had many conversations with other women in the field about how we have to justify why a brand should pay us for our work. With the types of content I create it is in a very female dominated field which I believe contributes to companies not seeing value in our work and not wanting to compensate us fairly. I can’t tell you how many times myself and my colleagues have been asked to produce multiple images and videos for a brand to own usage rights in exchange for a $20 product. Read more>>

Jade Sklaver

The biggest challenge to profitability in the sneaker industry is having to stock inventory and add skus to each season. Read more>>

Gary Hernandez

Getting people to see the cane as s great and needed self-defense tool Read more>>

Christian Dominique

the biggest challenge we face in the restaurant industry is constant rise in price of food supply and labor shortage. Read more>>

A. Keith Turner

Realizing good margins in an industry that is flooded with competition…. Both automated and manual labor. Read more>>

THAD NELSON

Quite simply, inflation. The prices of products and materials we purchase as a sign and graphics company have increased tremendously over the past couple of years and there seems to be no end in sight. In short that means those increases will have to be passed on to the customer, so it’s a no win for everyone, which is not what we would choose to do. Today many customers in our industry will simply pass on projects or opt for a less expensive option which often doesn’t suit their desires or needs. Read more>>

Lenin Torres

contribute to a quality life in people. And proper management of their emotions. Read more>>

J. Marie

Capitalism has been the biggest challenge, because it’s really hard putting a price tag on spiritual guidance, especially within the limited constraints of money. It’s taken me over a year to get my balance with this and I can still tell there’s more to learn. For my tarot readings, I try my hardest to have prices points for as many people as possible, including an option to pick from the oracle decks if you follow me on any of my social media pages. I try to view money as just one of the many facets of energy exchange. Read more>>

Amanda Rae Linas

Being a full time photographer these days can be tough. Photographers seem to be a dime a dozen. There are a lot of talented folks out there. It can be hard to compete and easy to get discouraged. What I have found to be the biggest challenge to profitability is cutting ourselves short. In the era where everyone has a camera in their back pocket, the art of photography has become somewhat cheapened. However, as an industry professional I have realized that I am not just providing clients with pictures. I am providing them a meaningful, memorable experience. Read more>>

Simene’ Walden

Confidence will make or break your profits. If you don’t think you are worth a particular amount, you will never charge that. If you are not confident in your price, you will waiver every time and the client will sense that and move forward with someone else. Price is never an option when value is present. You as the person must know your value and be confident in it. Read more>>

Cinnamon Denise

So often, we (freelancers, creators, artists, etc.) lower our price for the sake of making a sale. Please don’t get me wrong. I know what it means and can mean to finally sell a piece or work. However, when we undervalue by lowering the prices too much, it undermines the industry and other freelancers. It keeps us from charging what’s fair and what our work is worth. Read more>>

Dawn Patterson

Sustainability seems common for some businesses but taboo for others. Depending on the geographic location and the nature of the company. However, the sustainability industry itself is acquiring billions in profit due to the push in climate change. Governments around the world are more focused on innovative sustainable ideas that funds are directly used for impact change. But unfortunately, small businesses are not getting the resources to grow and scale appropriately in this industry. Read more>>

Karen Dubrule

Billion-dollar publishing companies own the educational marketplace. Read more>>