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.

Karen Jenkins

Businesses that serve freshly made food to customers typically walk a fine line between profitability and falling flat. My home-based micro bakery is no different and, in fact, delivers some additional hurdles unique to its line of business. Read more>>

Julius Greene IV

One of the biggest challenges with having a profitable graphic design business would be how everyone is in a race to the bottom. Other companies believe that pricing services/deliverables lower than the competition will allow them to get more work. Unfortunately, all it does is subliminally tell customers that these services should be cheap. Read more>>

BillieJo Garcia

There are two driving factors that make profitability with hiking a challenge. The following are of my opinion. The first issue: small distinct audience. I mean, it’s not very exciting to watch someone walk. So you have to be creative in how you present your adventure. Figuring out how to engage your fan base, who spends their free time doing anything but hiking, is a challenge. Read more>>

Jocelyn Thomas

It can be challenging for freelance photographers to prove their value and make sure potential clients understand the value of their investment. With the abundance of technology, social media, and artificial intelligence, it’s easier for people to think they can replace a professional photographer with their cellphone and filters. However, it’s important to remember that there is no substitute for a photographer’s artistic vision and their unique image. Read more>>

Nadia Gewarges

A Google search for “dance studios” in my area yields dozens of results, even just in a 10-mile radius. Since we’re all competing for the same pool of customers, the recreational dance industry is highly commoditized. It’s become a “race to the bottom,” with almost every studio trying to compete on lower and lower prices. As a result, it’s challenging to communicate the value of my studio over another. Read more>>

Neelomie Cooper

Finding quality people that understands the industry and work hard Read more>>