Entrepreneurship: A Creative and Vulnerable Act
Or How Confidence and Clarity in Your Ideas Are Your Shield
It’s been almost a year since the last time I posted on this thing, and after doing some thinking, it’s time I hop back in here. I think this will be the best way to have my “homebase” when it comes to my content, to expect more from me on Substack from now on. Enjoy!
Right now, I’m in the middle of reading six different books.
I have one for every need (relationships, creativity, literary theory, culture, corporate storytelling, etc.), but the one that’s picking up steam is Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act.
The Creative Act is an interesting book for me because I’ve been writing and performing music for 20+ years. I’ve been blessed enough to be able to pay my rent with music once upon a time and music has kept me up at night far more than business ever has. I’m more than acquainted with the tortured artist archetype.
Reading that book in both the lens as a musician or “entrepreneur” (or whatever I am) has been a lot of fun. The other day I ran across this:
“The people who choose to do art are, many times, the most vulnerable.” (74)
He goes on to say it’s the same sensitivity of the creator that makes them so vulnerable and afraid of being judged. Rubin says that the path of being a creator isn’t for everyone. “Adversity of a part of the process.”
I can say without a shadow of doubt having my own business for the past 2 1/2 years has challenged me more than a musician ever did.
I think it’s the idea that being in business, you must continue to make money to live. You get the same kind of questions during the holidays, even though there’s less concern on Aunt Flo’s face when she’s asking you about your business. Business is far more dignified of an endeavor to plebs. But there’s still the same vulnerability when communicating your idea.
Will the person listening accept you?
Will the person listening understand what you’re saying?
Will the person listening want your business?
Every day you’re asking hundreds of people to buy what you’re putting down.
It’s not unlike being in a band/songwriter/musician at all.
But one similarity that rings true is the more confident and clear you are about what you’re creating, the easier it is to communicate and deal with rejection.
If you have a business idea, you must know who it’s for, and how it will help them. It sounds simple enough, but it can be the hardest part of creating your business. It’s easy to overthink your idea to the point of indecision, so being precise and decisive is important. Building up your confidence in your idea is paramount.
Because just like Rick Rubin says in The Creative Act about the idea of vulnerability in creating, if the vulnerability is too much for you, maybe this kind of life isn’t cut out for you. I’ve thought the same of myself recently. But it’s when I’ve been able to lean into the conviction of what I’m doing that I’ve been able to move forward with less fear of judgment.
And it’s okay if being an entrepreneur or artist isn’t for you the more you try it! Trying something is worth the exploration in itself and is never a failure.
So give it a shot. Give that idea that’s been inside that cool brain of yours a whirl. It’ll make you vulnerable, yes. But it’ll be worth it.
New Work! Introducing Two Isaacs.
I just finished the branding and website for Two Isaacs, an AI commerce consultation firm with Jordyn Gleason and Jeff Romero. One of the best things about my work is that I’m free to collaborate with whoever fits the brand vision, and this was the perfect team. Take a look at the website!
