What Is a Creative Entrepreneur? (And How to Become One)

More and more people are turning their passions into successful businesses. You may already be familiar with the idea of freelancing, but creative entrepreneurship is more than that.

Creative entrepreneurs aren’t just freelancers. They’re using their skills and passions to build strong personal brands and sometimes go on to start agencies and manage tight-knit teams. 

They’re shaping the future of work. But who exactly are creative entrepreneurs, and how can you become one?

👋 Hi, I’m Rose – a brand & website designer. I built my own creative business from the ground up, and have worked with many creative entrepreneurs, from photographers to therapists to live wedding painters, to help them create a unique visual identity.

So, Who Is a Creative Entrepreneur?

Simply put, a creative entrepreneur is someone who uses their creative skills to start their own business. They blend their creative process with business strategies to sell unique products or services. Here are some examples of creative entrepreneurs:

• Designers: Graphic designers, web designers, or, if you’re someone who likes a beautiful space, interior designers
• Artists: Painters, illustrators, sculptors, and other art professionals
• Photographers: Wedding, portrait, or brand photographers
• Wedding professionals: Planners, florists, or live wedding painters
• Therapists: Many therapists are starting their own private practices
• Video Creators: Filmmakers, YouTubers, and animators
• Content Creators: Influencers, podcasters, and social media personalities
• Writers: Authors, bloggers, and copywriters
• Teachers and Coaches: Online course creators, coaches, consultants, and mentors

Creative entrepreneurship has been becoming increasingly popular on social media, especially on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

More and more entrepreneurs are getting serious about building their personal brand on online platforms and creating a strong visual identity. It’s also a great way to connect with other people and build community!

Here are a few examples of creative entrepreneurs that I created branding or websites for:

• Live wedding painter: Devin Tormey Art
• Live wedding painter: Painted by Sloan
• Brand photographer: Heirloom Photo Company
• Wedding photographer: Barefoot Royalty Photography

🎨 If you’re searching for inspiration, you can find more examples on my Portfolio Page!

Benefits of Creative Entrepreneurship

Passion-Driven Work

As a creative entrepreneur, you get to turn doing what you love into a successful business.

Maybe you took creative writing classes in college and now want to try your hand at copywriting or blogging. Or maybe you’ve always liked plants, and now want to start your own landscape and garden design company. There are just so many possibilities in the creative sector! 

Freedom & Flexibility

When you’re an entrepreneur, you have the flexibility to work on your own terms.

You control your schedule and get to structure your life in a way that allows you to balance work with your personal life and interests. Entrepreneurs in many creative industries can also work remotely from anywhere in the world!

That said, it’s important to be disciplined as an entrepreneur. You don’t have a boss and no one is telling you what to do, but things still have to get done. For some people, especially at the beginning of their creative entrepreneurship journey, this can be challenging! Remember that freedom always comes with responsibility.

Community

As you’re building your creative business, you’ll inevitably meet other creatives and interesting industry professionals.

Being self-employed may appear isolating sometimes because you don’t have co-workers to talk to, but networking and connecting with other entrepreneurs with similar views and interests creates a sense of belonging.

Personal Growth

As a creative entrepreneur, you exist in a constant state of evolution.

You’ll keep learning new things about your craft and, most importantly, about yourself. You’ll also sharpen your business acumen and use innovative thinking to build a profitable business. I like to think that entrepreneurship is the greatest exercise in self-discovery!

How to Become a Creative Entrepreneur: 6 Steps

If becoming a creative entrepreneur sounds like something you’d like to do, here are the steps you need to take. Keep in mind that every entrepreneur’s journey is different, but this should give you a solid framework on how to get started!

1. Follow Your Passion

The first step is to figure out what you want to do. It should be something you’re genuinely interested in, but also something that can solve problems or improve the lives of other people. 

Reflect on your hobbies, interests, and activities that you like to do, and brainstorm how they could be packaged as a service or a product. You can often find inspiration in the most unexpected of places!

For example, maybe you’re crafty and enjoy working with stones like many jewelry makers. Or maybe you’ve always liked making things look beautiful and want to become a graphic designer. You may need to improve your skills or learn some new ones, but the starting point should be something that genuinely excites you!

2. Build Your (Personal) Brand

As a creative entrepreneur, you need to have a personal brand. It’s how you’re going to connect with your target market and grow your community.

Building your brand goes beyond throwing together a few pretty colors and designing a logo on Canva. Your visual identity needs to express your personality and uniqueness, so I always recommend working with a professional to help you flesh out the visuals for your brand as well as your messaging.

3. Set Goals

Setting goals keeps you focused and motivated. Write down what you want to accomplish in the next few months as well as long-term for your business. When you’re clear on your big vision, it’s much easier to work backward and break it down into smaller, actionable steps.

For example, visualize what you want your life to look like in the next 5 or 10 years. What do you need to do this month or this year to get there?

When you’re just starting out, it can feel like you need to do everything all at once. Working yourself to the ground can bring some momentum, but you’ll quickly get overwhelmed and burn out. Instead, focus on setting smart goals and moving to them at a sustainable pace.

4. Launch Your Website (and Social Media!)

To grow your brand and start getting clients as a creative entrepreneur, you need to market your business! Launching your website and social media channels is one of the most important steps because it’s how you’re going to connect with potential clients, share your work, and build meaningful connections.

→ Here are 10 Showit website examples you’ll love.

5. Market & Network

Creative entrepreneurs wear many hats. They’re service providers and product creators, but they also suddenly find themselves to be heads of their marketing departments.

Social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing – there are many ways to grow your brand awareness and start generating leads, but it’s important to not spread yourself too thin. Start slow, and add on marketing channels gradually. This way, you can stay consistent with it.

You should also network with other businesses and entrepreneurs. They may be able to refer clients to you or share other exciting opportunities!

6. Get Your First Client

With consistent effort, it won’t be long before you sign your first client or sell your first product! Start by offering your services to friends, family, and other people who are already in your network. Connect with potential clients on social media or consider strategies like cold emailing.

Getting your first client is always the hardest. Once you work on your first few projects, you’ll have testimonials and portfolio pieces to back you up, and signing clients will get easier. As your network grows, you’ll also have more referrals coming in! Over time, you’ll be able to build up to a steady stream of leads.

7. Grow Your Skills

One of the best things about being a creative entrepreneur is that you’re constantly growing and learning new skills. Take courses, attend workshops, and read personal development books to keep expanding your area of expertise and serve your clients better or create better products.

One thing is for sure – as a creative entrepreneur, you’ll never be bored! 😉

On Growing Thick Skin

Becoming a creative entrepreneur and growing your own business is exciting, but the truth is that you’ll hear “no” often. You may get negative feedback from a client or be asked to give a discount on your services. These things are annoying, but they happen.

Setbacks are part of the process, and experiencing them doesn’t mean that you won’t be successful. On the contrary, learning to stay resilient and focused on your goals even when things aren’t 100% perfect is one of the most valuable skills you can learn as a creative entrepreneur!

The bottom line is: It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it.

Ready to Create Your Personal Brand? Get in Touch!

As a brand & website designer, I help creative entrepreneurs express themselves with a strategic visual identity that feels exactly like you and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. I often work with photographers, wedding professionals, therapists, service providers, and other creatives. Learn more about my services or get in touch!