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.

Ty Egoworld

One of the most unexpected challenges I’ve had to navigate as an entrepreneur came from sudden shifts in local and global laws. When the tariffs hit during the Trump administration, my production costs for Mad Bee Urban Wear practically doubled overnight. That move slowed down my growth and forced me to rethink every single piece of my operation. Read more>>

Nayely Valdivia

Losing my sense of self was the biggest issue I’ve faced in my creative journey. I used to do things and act in ways I never would have, simply for the sake of views or to avoid seeming boring or not fitting in. Read more>>

Lizette Franco

I know that one of the most important problems I had during the growth of the business was the lack of sufficient knowledge to undertake. At the beginning I faced different obstacles precisely because I did not have the experience or adequate access to information. However, as the business progressed during these five years, I have managed to learn, improve and overcome those limitations. Read more>>

Jennifer Meek

The most unexpected problem I have faced was being diagnosed with MS June 2023, 3 years after starting my decorated sugar cookie business. What started as mild tingling to a few fingers on my right hand progressed to full numbness and complete loss of use of that hand. It then started progressing to my left hand. Read more>>

Andrea Zile Bish

One of the most unexpected problems I faced in my creative journey was….myself. When I was starting out, I fell into the same trap as many young directors – I believed I was god. As a young aspiring director, I held that my creative vision was gospel and those ‘below’ me had no further purpose than to execute my vision. Read more>>

Yusuf Sanusi

My first taste of the music business was when I was taken advantage of by a popular QC DJ named DJ Champ. He went on to become Lil Baby DJ. Read more>>

Paul Zanardo

Coming straight out of a design program, my focus was laser-sharp on aesthetics, usability, and technical perfection. My capstone project, my company’s new website, was a triumph of responsive design: fast-loading, flawlessly rendered on every device, and visually stunning, a veritable digital masterpiece. Read more>>

Brandi Manuel

My husband and I bought a small winery business with a supportive existing wine club. We decided to expand options for wine shipments by personalizing seasonal club orders. Think: u-pick the wines you want! And we have a long list. We thought people would enjoy the flexibility when their 6-month shipments came around. Read more>>

Ariel Williams

The most recent unexpected issue that arose within my business was the multiple burglaries.Sadly, small business owners were being targeted within the area. This caused my business to take a major loss. Due to the safety of our employees and the financial loss I was forced to close our brick and mortar location. Through GOD’s grace, we have recently been able to grow our business at a new location.  Read more>>

Mark Ivachtchenko

I fell in love with art from a young age with the support of my brother and two cousins. My admission into two specialized arts programs at NYC public schools continued to bolster my confidence and taught me critical skills about my craft. Read more>>