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.

MYLOVE GREEN

Already Chosen is a ministry and platform that reminds people their worth and calling come from God — not from the approval, presence, or absence of others.

It was birthed from my personal journey of pain and healing. While my biological father was physically in my life, he chose not to be truly present for me. That emotional absence left me battling deep feelings of abandonment and rejection. I believed the lies that I wasn’t wanted, valued, or worthy. Read more>>

Imani Whitfield

There have been a few experiences that were unexpected along my journey as a business owner such as: COVID-19, transitioning from in person training to online coaching, and the impact of AI on client/coach relationships. I will elaborate on COVID-19 a little more because I feel like a lot of business owners can relate to the impact that it had and the fact that it was unexpected for us all. Read more>>

Robin Fisher

I will never forget 2017, the year I was diagnosed with colon cancer. At the time, everything in my life was going well. My business was growing, I was serving as the director of a major fashion organization in New York, my family was thriving, and I had just returned from a successful business trip to London. But something felt off. Read more>>

Sage Deng

One of the most unexpected challenges in my creative journey came when AI technology suddenly accelerated, especially in the field of image and 3D generation.
For years, my work was rooted in aesthetics — an intuitive visual language shaped by personal taste, life experience, and the slow accumulation of artistic sensibility. During university, I discovered 3D art, which felt fresh, versatile, and modern. I believed it would remain a unique space that required both time and skill to master. Read more>>

Jacki Spellman

I always knew I wanted to open my own salon, It’s always been a goal of mine to help other stylists achieve success & experience the type of freedom I had as a stylist. An alternative to the abundance of toxic salons. With 19 years under my belt, I was ready to open my space. I signed the 5 year lease in November of 2019 for a completely new space. I was pumped & ready! I took all of my savings & got a loan to make my dream happen! Read more>>

Josh & Sandra Tomkins

After two decades in the photography industry, nothing could have prepared us for the summer of 2021, when the Caldor Fire forced a mandatory evacuation of our Lake Tahoe community. At the time, few believed the fire would reach the basin—but when it did, our lives and business were upended. We were displaced for nearly three weeks, facing not only the emotional toll of uncertainty and fear but also the professional challenges that came with it. Read more>>