As almost any entrepreneur or creative will tell you, unexpected problems are to be expected. Below, you’ll hear some incredible stories that highlight and illustrate the kinds of issues and problems entrepreneurs and creatives are dealing with everyday. It’s not easy, but the silver lining is that dealing with unexpected problems is one of the best ways to develop antifragility.

Fishe One

I came into the arts via my time and experience with graffiti. In the early 1990’s graffiti was not considered an art form and had little to no respect from the fine art community and society at large. Most of my life I had to keep my art and my identity a secret. In general we have been viewed as anti social criminals with little to no redeeming value. It is definitely a topic I would not bring up during small talk when I met new people. This image slowly morphed and people views softened, partially as a result of the Banksy movie exploring street art, however for me it was always something to be kept secret as a detective was always around the corner ready to put us in jail for expressing ourselves. When I arrived to university and I told my professors I wanted to steer away from that path they did not understand, not only had I built a reputation that had gotten me into publications but museums were also starting to pay attention to my work. Read more>>

Frey Wise

One of art’s finest facets is it does the talking for you. I don’t have to explain with words why I find something fascinating, I just have to figure out how to show it. If I want to get an idea across, I can just make it–no talking required. I have a speech impediment that effects my brain’s ability form sentences and organize speech. I’ve found many ways around it, but it still severely limits how well I’m able to verbally express myself. This naturally inclines me to art with its no words required. Read more>>

Logic Thompson

I’m the kind of artist who spends a lot of time thinking, planning, and designing what I create. That was easy when I was in middle school and high school because you have the hours to put in without too many responsibilities, but after you enter the capitalist workforce (even in a creative position) that time disappears. You might think I’m saying that “time management” or “efficiency” was the issue I faced, but you’d be mistaken. Read more>>

Frederick Taylor

I work in an industry that is challenged everyday by new ideas. There are influencers who want advancement and inclusivity and those who profit from just the way things are. Artist are never satisfied.

This dynamic has become a big part of unexpected problems and issues in my journey. Another casualty of social war is the lack of courage and support from those that say they want change but fear walking the walk. Read more>>

Jeanette Fintz

Doing a commission through a consultant is one aspect of being an artist I don’t feel quite comfortable with.. I have done only two and am negotiating a third. As much as one thinks that all eventualities are covered there will be things that arise that are irksome or tend to go against one’s instinct as an artist. In one commission I was asked to add two more colors to the painting that weren’t in the original composition . In another I was asked to replicate a spontaneous pour, to create the feeling of faux spontaneity. Recently I was asked to replicate a painting I did 27 years ago but change the dimensions. I think I’m turning that one down. I personally don’t feel relaxed in the commission situation. Read more>>

Brooke Procida

I was born a creative. I have always felt in me what people refer to as ‘flow state’ and I have been building, making, creating, collaborating, producing and performing since as far back as I can remember. My very first memories involve some form of storytelling, provoking emotion, invention or exhibition. Unlike many of my peers growing up, I have never doubted what I’m here for and have always felt a calling to the stage, the screen and airwaves in general. And then, suddenly in my late teens, I got deathly and progressively ill. From age 17 when I arrived at the University of Southern California up until very recently in my adult life- I was getting mysteriously and debilitatingly ill. Looking back, symptoms and clues had been there all along during my childhood, only to be written-off or gotten over and left behind. But as an adult whose health was declining and whose ‘flow state’ was suddenly being compromised, Read more>>

Annie Edgerton

We frequently deal with insurance claims that have potentially affected a client’s wine/spirits collection. Commonly this is heat-related, for example, the cooling unit quit while the owner was away for three weeks during a Texas summer heat wave. So we inspect and taste the wine for damage — and we have a great deal of experience evaluating wine for this purpose. Read more>>

Betsy Colombo

Last month, the Eaton Fire caused significant damage to our studio and many of our dancers lost their homes and all their belongings. Our first step was to raise money to donate directly to these families. We began a dancewear drive to collect new and gently used leotards, tights, leggings, ballet/tap/jazz shoes, etc to provide to anyone who lost their dancewear in the fire. We quickly resumed classes by using space generously donated by four other local studios, and waived tuition for all dancers who lost their homes. We are now in the process of collecting recital costume donations so that can be another expense our families don’t have to worry about at this time. Additionally, we are currently in the process of moving to a new, bigger studio location that will better serve our dance families. Read more>>