I’m standing at an uncomfortable crossroads. I’m in a career season in which I am comparing the options of being employed by someone to do something creative or becoming a self-employed creative entrepreneur.

I define creative entrepreneurship as the ability to make money selling what you are inspired to create or help others create. This includes content of all kinds: writing, graphic design, digital art and animation, photography, videography and social media posts, as well as traditional visual arts, music and theatre. It also could include technical aspects of design, such as website construction, app and game development, CGI movie effects and virtual reality world building.

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Creative jobs in the traditional marketplace, at least where I live in this small town in North Carolina, seem rare. Making my own opportunities through a business seems like the only alternative, but I’m daunted by the idea because I don’t have any experience starting and running a business. As Chris Do, an internationally known designer, consultant and business owner, noted in a recent video, creative individuals are trained in their particular art, but hardly ever receive the business or marketing education they need to be successful entrepreneurs.

To prepare myself to make this decision, I have been studying creative entrepreneurship through a variety of resources, such as books and free seminars and online courses offered by generous creative entrepreneurs who acknowledge the struggle and are eager to “pay it forward.” I have learned much already.

Then it occurred to me: Surely I’m not the only one feeling stuck in this situation. I realized I have an opportunity to “turn my mess into a message” by sharing what I’m learning with others. 

In this blog, I intend to explore the paths of creative entrepreneurship, explain the business process in plain English for creative individuals, connect creative entrepreneurs to free or low-cost resources and provide encouragement to those interested in making money from what they create.

If I can help at least one person pursue their best life through a creative endeavor and be financially successful, it will certainly be worth it. Let’s learn together….