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.

Holly Charles-Pearson

At the beginning of 2020, I was riding a creative wave – one that allowed me to connect to my community through meaningful stage plays that highlighted and uplifted marginalized people, one that left me energized and ready to take Houston Play On Purpose (my Houston-based nonprofit theater company) to the next level and one that expanded my network as a burgeoning member of the creative arts scene. Like the rest of the world, I never imagined the onset of the pandemic and how it would change the world. Moreover, I didn’t know how it would change my world as a creative. My stage plays were cancelled indefinitely. I was devastated and, if I’m being honest, a little lost. Read more>>

Monica Campbell

I want to paint more no matter what is going on in my life, and that momentum has made my favorite art possible. I have lost all my drawings and paintings in a fire started by the Rodney King riots in Seattle WA. The biggest fan of my art, my mother, passed away from breast cancer. I went through divorce and my family was torn apart by it. I know we all have issues and un-happiness in our lives and painting has been there for me, A place to meditate and focus on something other than the outside world. Turn on my favorite music and paint. My studio the only place with no rules and I am the boss. Read more>>

Michelle Caron

From my experience, unexpected issues are part of the landscape whenever you’re creating something. They are both the lessons and the opportunities from which creativity flows. I find this particularly true with fused glass projects as there are so many factors that impact the final result. Each time I open the kiln, there is the potential for unexpected joy and heart wrenching disaster. Despite the preparing, planning, and checking twice, physics has a way of introducing just enough chaos into the mix to keep it interesting. Read more>>

Mike Melnick

I was recently hit by a bus which shattered my ability to hold a camera over my head; resulting in a significant decline in my creative work. Additionally, I just got fired from my corporate job. To a certain degree, my reputation as a well-known videographer has come to a close because I no longer have the physical ability to get the job done. Additionally, losing my corporate job has put me in financial ruin. In many ways, I feel that I have hit rock bottom. That being said, I am grateful and although I am currently down, I am not defeated. Read more>>

Angie Reach

Due to the fact I started my business right before covid hit, I didn’t prepare for online business. I was only prepared to be out in front of folks. I had to learn and find help to get a website, use social media for sales, create a newsletter and learn virtual tools. There was no one providing me all the instructions to do it, I had to go out and find good instructions and implement. Although I thought it was painful and I wasted some money, it has been so valuable to me and my business. I’m continue to grow and learn new things, but at better pace than when I first started out. I also have to give credit to some individuals that stepped up to help and they are still with me today. Read more>>

MRDEATHBREATH

For nearly six years, I’ve been making videos for my MRDEATHBREATH brand. Along the way, I’ve teamed up with actors, directors, content creators, and media companies for various projects. But I ended up overwhelming myself, struggling to balance my personal life with my creative work. It felt like I was always on the edge of falling behind, leading to constant stress and panic. I used to dissect movies frame by frame for future content, and the pressure to review films right after watching them was intense. I even sacrificed sleep to attend events. Read more>>

Kyle Trpeski

What drew me to the industry was the idea of putting art on people. An idea one would think any and all tattoo artist would share. But it’s difficult to find other artist who sympathize with that mentality. In a lot of shops money and running the circuit is the priority. Don’t get me wrong. Money is handy. But it’s about number 9 on my list of considerations when I’m booking a tattoo. For me, I’d rather a person leave my booth smiling, feeling better about themselves, and with a piece of my art I’m proud to have them share with the world. Read more>>

AJ Fountain

Problem solving can be a dance and the more I’ve treated it as such instead of a nuisance the more I’ve felt fulfilled in life, personally and professionally. Read more>>