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.

Rada Valkova

Probably the most unexpected and critical problem in professional and personal aspect was the loss of my husband 5 years ago. Me and him opened our restaurant in Camden, Maine in 2014. We were a good team. He was the chef, I was the front of house manager/host. In 2020 he passed away from a complications after a routine surgery. That year changed everything. Not only were we struggling with COVID but this too…. Read more>>

Margeaux Davis

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota home of so many legends. Prince, Sounds Of Blackness, Mint Condition, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, NEXT, Ashley DuBose, Morris Day & The Time, Alexander O’Neal. And so many others to name..

I decided to move to New York City in 2014. When I released my EP titled “Won’t Do It Again” produced by Grand Melody Music and Andre Dennis. Read more>>

Kimberly Bramwell

Building my photography business has certainly had its ups and downs. One of the challenges I’ve encountered is maintaining a consistent stream of bookings. While some months see a few sessions, there are times when bookings are slower, which makes planning ahead a little more difficult. Another challenge has been effectively reaching the right audience. While I put effort into marketing and reaching out to leads, it can sometimes just be a matter of timing—people only book when they are ready for a session, or if you have the style they’re wanting and that doesn’t always align. It can sometimes feel discouraging when marketing efforts and client outreach don’t result in any bookings. Despite these hurdles, I’m committed to refining my approach to continue growing both creatively and professionally. Read more>>

Pujan Chheda

Mumbai is known as the land of dreams, where people from all over the country come to find their true calling. I grew up in a small South-Indian neighborhood that spoke Telugu and Tamil, while I spoke Kutchi (a part of the Gujurati language) in a Marathi-speaking land. I even studied English in school. So, I come from a place where people might be multilingual, but they all have the same dream: to start their own businesses. My family wasn’t really about dreams; they were more about having a passion for business and, of course, cricket. Cricket is just an integral part of Indian culture. Read more>>

Tyreek Phillips

My entire creative journey actually started because of an unexpected problem—one that completely changed the course of my life. Growing up in Toronto, football was everything to me. I started playing at a young age and dedicated myself fully to becoming a professional player. From the time I was 8 until I was 21, that was my sole focus. Read more>>

Alessio Filippelli

One of the most unexpected challenges I’ve faced in my creative journey has been the constant push from others to make myself smaller—to fit into their version of who I should be. As a young gay boy stepping into this industry, I learned early on that people are often more comfortable when you fit into a predefined box. And when you don’t, they either try to shrink you or dismiss you altogether. Read more>>