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.

Ian Triplett

It’s been an interesting experience, naming a company and how that name interacts with the public over time. Sometimes names are simple – XYZ company, Miller & Sons, or perhaps a quirky pun name posted on the side of a food truck.

My company is Three Cap Farms, and the decision for that name is a bit nuanced. The name was actually developed back in 2016 when I first conceived of the idea to start up a mushroom farm. I honestly don’t remember much of the decision process back then, save two major parts: Read more>>

Kindra Mogk

I think profitability is relative to interpretation. Profitability to me means being able to do what I love while maintaining a healthy work-life balance with my family. Starting this business was a journey I began as a stay-at-home mom who desired to still serve my local community with my passion of food, but also be in charge of my time with family. Creating in the kitchen has always been a love language for me with family and friends and putting myself out further into my local community posed a risk for rejection. I think the timing of my launch, alongside the close of a pandemic, really boosted my acceptance by the local community, and ultimately translating to a monetary profit as well! People were eager to fellowship or gather again and this is exactly what my charcuterie business has helped to foster in people’s lives. Read more>>

Amanda Murray

There can be many things that factor into the challenge of profitability in the crochet pattern designing realm but one that I have seen more often than not is saturation. With so many makers creating crochet patterns, it can be difficult to stand out and attract customers. With 1000’s of patterns being added to multiple marketplaces daily its easy to get lost in the mix. Read more>>

Alicia Walton

Ha! Good question…One of the biggest misconceptions is that a bar owner is wealthy. Especially without multiple bars to generate multiple incomes, the work load doesn’t usually equal the pay. No one goes into this industry to get rich, we do it for our love of hospitality and the amazing people that we get to meet along the way. Read more>>

Maria Davis

So I am a wedding photographer, and I feel like when people – newer photographers, potential customers, and people who are less familiar with wedding planning – see the price of wedding photography, they are shocked. Some people think they are crazy and not-worth-it prices, and people who want to get in to the wedding industry can sometimes see it as an easy money grab because on the surface the costs and the work seem minimal. Just get a camera, use it well, and get paid? And I can do it for wayyy less than those people charging thousands of dollars and still make great money, right? Read more>>