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.

Robot Dream

I was diagnosed with cancer in October of last year after I had experienced extreme fatigue and bronchitis for about 6 months. My Doctor told me that most people take off work during the Chemo and bone marrow Transplant process, and after the transplant need a live-in caregiver for a month to take care of their basic needs. Read more>>

Moe X

So many unexpected problems you know dealing with people who really ain’t for you an gotta secret agenda for real then being in a very toxic relationship but ion really wanna speak on Stuff like that sometimes God take people out your life for a reason so all I can do is go up an then dealing with this life period fake people, fake love, fake intentions Read more>>

Rian Bluhm

One of the most supremely irritating problems that I came across was the prolific amount of sink holes that beeswax creates while making container beeswax candles. When researching about candle making it wasn’t something that was immediately warned about, especially since most candle making guides are utilizing soy which doesn’t create as many sinkholes as beeswax, Read more>>

Kim Witczak

I like to call myself the accidental advocate because I never chose to do pharmaceutical drug safety advocacy. Sometimes our greatest life purpose chooses us. I had a personal life tragedy that changed the trajectory of my life. With one phone call, my life forever changed. Read more>>

Victoria Wyman

The most unexpected issues that I have faced is verbal agreements with my customers. In a different time, we would be able to have agreements and resolve them with a handshake. It was said that a man was only as good as his word. I have attempted that way of business and it has caused issues every time. The reason why, is that there isn’t a way to go back to the conversation and see what was agreed upon. It’s between both parties to battle out and debate what was said. Read more>>

Kathy King

So, my coaching business was initially created to solve the problem of dance professionals needing guidance, support and mentorship during the global pandemic of 2020 that shut down the dance industry for months on end. As so many studio owners and freelancers were facing an epic struggle like never before, I was proud to be able to jump in and help ease the panic a bit during that time. Read more>>

Jaime Rubenstein

I feel like starting/running a business is just constantly over coming obstacles, but nothing worth having comes easy and if it were easy then everyone would do it! Read more>>

Alex Bochel

The most underestimated aspect of creativity is the importance of physical health. I learned this the hard way. After a year of being a full-time creative, I started developing doubts and depression about my work. I thought this was just “part of the process”. I started journaling, using positive affirmations, and cutting out time on social media. While these things helped, there was something more insidious going on inside of me. Read more>>

Jay McMillen

I had an exhibit scheduled for July, 2021. An obsessive/compulsive, I had all paintings completed by March and ordered show catalogs. My wife was in ill health, but we were managing. Then there was Covid-19. We had plenty of toilet paper and paper towels, so dodged those concerns. We started ordering food for curbside pickup. Likewise my art supplies dealer offered the same service. We would mask up to leave the house. Read more>>

Anthony Galati

I am not a risk taker by nature. I like security. When I was 7 years old, I saved up about two or three months worth of my weekly allowance so that my dad could but me a Voltron toy in Chinatown in New York City for $40. The really good one with the die cast metal parts, where all of the lions separated from the big robot as individual toys. Not spending your allowance for that long is like an eternity for a kid. But I’m a saver by nature. Read more>>

Dedra Moon

In July 2020, I experienced a severe illness that caused me to be hospitalized for 7 months. Upon release from the hospital, I have been unable to walk and using a wheelchair for mobility. Read more>>

Jarquale Stewart

This question hit pretty hard because there is no other unexpected problem i’ve experienced in the amazing 11 years of pursing acting that would completely stop my creativity other than the lost of my mother and my grandmother a week apart from one another in 2019. My mother was killed in September of 2019. Read more>>