Have you ever had a friend look at a business and randomly throw out numbers that made it seem like that business owner must be making serious bank? We’ve experienced that many times, and know from conversations with operators and owners in those industries that their real profitability is often far, far less. The reason is often that there are unique challenges to profitability in almost every industry and so we wanted to create a space for entrepreneurs from across industries and markets to discuss the challenges to profitability in their industries.

Kayla Davis

As a photographer in Texas the hardest part is turning your skill into profit. A lot of the time you have to sacrifice what you want as an artist in order to achieve the imagery of what the brand wants. Another huge thing is that I don’t think Texas or most southern states have caught up in terms of respecting creatives and paying them what they deserve. Read more>>

NICOLE LEAVITT

You know, I’d like to think that we all start out with a passion when you’re involved in the service industry. Your “job” each and every day is to bring a certain feeling to those who chose your establishment to relax, indulge and come together to share memories in and our greatest hope is that you leave with such great memories that its worth returning and sharing with others. Read more>>

Megan Halphen

Food margins are typically lower than other goods so you have to have a higher level of sales to stay afloat. Given even higher cost of raw materials, packaging, and surprisingly labels it is really difficult to maintain profitability without raising my own prices. Having a niche product that really stands out and is versatile is the key to staying in business long-term. There will always be a commodity version of everything. That’s not what Magnolia Face Co. beverage syrups are about. Read more>>

Ashani Dunwell

As someone with a spiritually driven business, I think the biggest challenge in achieving and maintaining profitability would be that monetary gain and success is often dependent on my own personal alignment, physical and mental health, environment and more. Read more>>

Jessica Cross

I think the biggest challenge to profitability in the yoga and wellness industry starts with the business owner’s mindset. Many who teach yoga and hold space for others tend to put themselves last and encounter roadblocks to accepting a fair wage for what it is that they offer this world. It’s such a common mindset because those who share these teachings and care for others have the biggest hearts, but this mindset doesn’t truly serve anyone in the long run. Read more>>

Savanna Hulbert

The biggest challenge I believe we writers and poets, or artists in general have is finding your crowd and your active readers. Many in the generations before me and after me will say common things like ” I don’t read unless it’s a topic that’s interesting to me.” Read more>>

Antoine Hart

I believe that the biggest challenge to profitability is knowing your worth and being confident in your skills. I’ve seen countless photographers undervalue themselves by charging way less than other photographers; mainly because they feel as if people won’t pay a certain amount for photographer services. Read more>>

Lauren DiFulvio

The biggest challenge to profitability in the photography industry is the invention of the smart phone with the smart camera. These cameras, tablets and the use of editing apps have enabled any individual who owns one to snap a decent photo, edit it and post it online to their satisfaction therefore devaluing the professional photographer and their equipment and expertise. Read more>>

Marteze Braden

In the beauty industry, its often described as over-saturated. Not only that, we live in a culture that encourages entrepreneurship, which, is not a bad thing at all. But, it becomes a challenge when there are people in the industry who dont have the passion and take up space, clients, customers and it feels like those who have the heart for the industry are left out. Read more>>

Vanessa Whiteside

As a travel writer, I’m often tasked with sending a proposal and sample itinerary to organizations or marketing teams representing a town or city. Other times, I’m approached by a tourism organization or business that wants to bring me to town to partner with them. Read more>>

Heather Delaney

The most mountainous hurdle we find most birth professionals to face is the value of the service and how it’s portrayed to a potential client. Generations of predominantly women-identifying birth workers have been taught that to serve with total compassion means sacrificing so much for the client. We challenge that idea. Read more>>