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.

Lamar Allen

COVID 19 caused challenges for many businesses that bled into both 2020 and 2021. However, it is those challenges that propelled LaMarvelous to financially thrive today. When the pandemic was declared, nearly 80% of the events that were on LaMarvelous’ books were canceled by clients, resulting in a large financial toll in the first two months of the pandemic. Read more>>

Peggy Skemp

A problem I faced starting out was the experience of having my work treated as “women’s work,” a hobby or a frivolity. I have been making and selling my jewelry since 2001 but only began working as an independent jeweler full time in 2009. Before that I worked a series of demoralizing and exploitive jobs beginning at age 12. Read more>>

Frenchye Mike

I started this business in 2017, while simultaneously working my full-time job with the state of Georgia. It was not until 2 years later that I decided to embrace the entrepreneurial journey full-time, and officially get out of my comfort zone. I thought to myself like, “yes, you go this, you can do this is, then fast forward to about 11 months later, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic! At this point, I am doomed, no consistent income, and no guaranteed funds. Read more>>