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.

Sage Suede

I didn’t understand how verbally abusive people would be and how much harassment comes from any shred of success you have. Even if it feels like no one sees the work your produce, a troll will harass you for creating anything at all. I’ve been stalked more than I’ve had acknowledgment for my work in the community and still experience stalking on a daily basis. Read More>>

Isabel Bonilla

Beware of those that want maximum results with minimum investment. I’m a traveling horsewoman that runs a business offering on-site training. This is considered a luxury service, and you will find that a lot of clients that boast wealth are not wealthy at all. Read More>>

Kwanisha Carson

One of the most unexpected challenges I faced as a new business owner came after I had already built my salon from the ground up. Launching the business and establishing a strong clientele was one thing, but learning how to navigate and scale through slow seasons became a significant and unforeseen hurdle. Read More>>

Alex Hanner

The idea of the label was spawned in late 2019. Everything for the first vinyl project was submitted in December ’19. Everything was starting to come together, and then the whole world shut down due to the pandemic. Live shows stopped. Businesses slowed or closed. People couldn’t go out. All perfect timing to start a new label… Read More>>

Jeffandry Janardhanan

After taking a break from my IT career, I took a leap of faith and started a food truck business. I had ambitions to grow it into something bigger, but three months after I returned to an IT job to support that growth, COVID-19 hit. Read More>>

Tessa Permar

My first year out of college, I worked 3 jobs in New York City: I nannied, I worked the front desk at a big theater studio space, and got paid to choreograph. This was a dream for me, and I couldn’t believe it was already happening. They were small choreography gigs, but I was meeting people and building momentum. Read More>>

Lindsay Drake

One of the most unexpected challenges in my creative journey happened in 2021, and it changed the entire trajectory of my life. I was traveling to LA for a dream music gig, opening a show for my longtime musical hero and mentor, Charlotte Martin, who was my favorite artist growing up. Read More>>