What Does It Mean to Be a “Creative” Entrepreneur?

I think that, like “Millennial” or “Artisan”, the term “Creative” has been appropriated by media to use in a negative, condescending connotation, which I feel is really unfair. How can the definition of something like “creative entrepreneur” become such a thing of shame and ridicule when broken down it means someone who is embracing their genuine passions?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately as the holidays are rolling around and I have to explain what it is exactly I’m doing to make money to my older family members who grew up with a sense of loyalty to their employer and felt protected and secure in their jobs. It’s a difficult question to answer, as my “job” is atypical and isn’t reliant on one stream of income, but I instinctually balked at the idea of saying “oh, I’m a creative entrepreneur” by itself.

And dammit, that’s just not fair. So rather than hiding behind a murmured response, I’m taking it back and saying “I am a Creative Entrepreneur and my life is amazing!”

So let’s escape this stigma together and once and for all define what a Creative Entrepreneur is and does:

To me, a Creative Entrepreneur:

  • Inflects elements of their own personality and style into their business
  • Stays true to what motivates them, rather than trying to jump onto trends and fads
  • Isn’t afraid of utilizing traditional business strategies, but uses them in a way that molds the tool to the business and not the other way around. (As an example: we’ve all got to make sure our business is legit, but now there are ways to own your business and not feel like a giant cog in a machine. Check out new initiatives like starting a B corporation)
  • Owns the “weird” part of their personalities, and utilizes it to their advantage

Being a Creative does not mean:

  • Being flippant about running a business correctly. Take the business part seriously. Make sure your business is legal, established correctly, and isn’t trying to skate around taxes
  • Leaving the selling part of a Creative business as an afterthought.
  • Injects feelings and entitlement into their business. Everyone faces rejection, or bad customers, or disappointing products. Learn to understand that the negative times aren’t a judgment against you as a person
  • Using artistry as an excuse to skirt safety or regulations for themselves or customers
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