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.

Thorn Kurtzhals

To connect to others as an artist, you must be vulnerable. When you live your life vicariously through your art, this becomes second nature. In fact, my art was the only place I could live my truth. Through the panels of my comics, the drawings in my sketchbooks, and written short stories: I could say the quiet things loud: Read more>>

Marla Barto

I would have to say like many others, the Covid 19 Pandemic was the biggest issue for me. Travel shut down due to the pandemic. The world shut down. Travel agents generally get paid from the suppliers after the client travels. Since they didn’t travel, I didn’t get paid. In some cases they pay us after final payment is made but since they didn’t travel, my commission was then recalled. Read more>>

Sam Ward

I’ve had a very particular dream in my mind since I was only 11 years old. That dream was to become a professional drummer and not only to make a living doing it but to make a great one! To achieve such success as a musician I wanted to be in a band; not any band, but a band of my own. One that I shared with people who were my friends and I could trust. Read more>>

Graham Honeycutt

The most unexpected problem I have faced as the Executive Director of Tucker’s House was moving the organization forward after our Founder retired. The Founder did an amazing job starting Tucker’s House and many of the processes were built around her skillset. Read more>>

Devonna Banks-Law

Butter Bakery had been in business about 4+ years at this time and an opportunity presented itself to finally move forward to obtaining an actual brick & mortar. My own building to grow and expand my business, what could be better? The process started off very exciting having an incredible landlord and a cool building in a busy area. Then gloom and doom came very quickly!! Read more>>

Zuzel Barrera

I was presented with many problems during the launch of my company, like my mother says- mistakes in business are just “how much?” i learned the hard way how business with friends can sometimes not go as planned. From being scammed on how much my website would be, to paying and not receiving the services.. to learning how to trademark my business name to avoid any issues. Read more>>

Que Maxwell

One of the most unexpected problem that arises for me was being diagnosed with cancer. In December of 2019 I resigned from my job as a resident care coordinator. Vowing to take my business serious this time. Of course 2020 we were hit by the pandemic and business was doing great. 2021 came in and I had all types of plans to take my business to the next level. I started getting sick out of nowhere. Read more>>

Joseph Carry

The problem I have in mind functions at the meta level; that is to say, it is the kind of problem that almost guarantees that other problems will arise and recur. The problem is rooted in a well known doctrine among those who study organizational behavior: patterns of behavior or systems of operations form themselves. Read more>>

Drimmolo

For sure the most unexpected problems I have faced since becoming a professional artist and comic illustrator were my sudden arm injuries. While all artists hear about possible wrist or back issues that can occur if you don’t stretch properly or maintain a correct posture, I was definitely among the ones that took the issue lightly. Read more>>

Dan Baddiel

Moving towards the latter part of my life in my late 50’s, I decided in 2017, to take my passion for Street & Landscape Photography and see what I could produce. Wanting to be in unfamiliar surroundings for a London born Brooklynite, I landed up going to Cuba for 12 days as my canvas. 8 days in Havana and 4 days in the beautiful town of Trinidad. Read more>>

Justin Pain

One of the most prominent issues I came across with tattooing was my ability to step into my own authority. Now that I know myself and the ways I prefer to work more intimately, I can stay within my integrity by telling clients what I offer and wouldn’t mind redirecting them to someone who might be a better fit if theres uncertainty with either the client or I. Read more>>