005 How long does it take to build a "successful" creative business?

09/30/24 • 22 min

In this episode, I'm diving into this frequently asked question: how long does it actually take to build a successful creative business? I'm breaking down the misconceptions around overnight success and sharing my personal journey to profitability.

Here's what we're covering:

What "success" really means in business - and why it's different for everyone
The average timeline for small businesses to become profitable
My own path to building a quarter-million dollar photography business
Why comparing your journey to others can be harmful
The importance of balancing financial success with personal wellbeing

Timestamps

00:00 Defining success in your creative business
04:08 The reality of building a profitable business
09:55 My personal journey
11:44 The dangers of comparison and "infocrastination"
15:14 Balancing profit with personal wellbeing

Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck in your current business, this episode will give you a realistic perspective on what it takes to build a thriving creative business. I share my own ups and downs, pivots, and lessons learned to help you set realistic expectations and stay motivated on your entrepreneurial journey.

Thanks for listening!
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilykim.co
Join the free, private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theprofitablecreatives
Website: https://profitablecreatives.com/
Photo & video services: https://emilykimphotography.com/

Here's what we're covering:

What "success" really means in business - and why it's different for everyone
The average timeline for small businesses to become profitable
My own path to building a quarter-million dollar photography business
Why comparing your journey to others can be harmful
The importance of balancing financial success with personal wellbeing

Timestamps

Previous Episode

004 Beyond social media: The REAL way to grow your creative business

Is attending networking events and conferences the key to growing your creative business? In this episode, I'm chatting about why I prioritize in-person connections and share my recent experience as a keynote speaker.

Join me as I explore:

How I choose the right networking events for my business
Strategies I use for making meaningful connections at conferences
Balancing networking with my energy levels as an introvert
Alternative ways to network if large events seem inaccessible
The unexpected benefits I've found from attending events with no expectations

Whether you're a photographer, designer, writer, or any other creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you rethink your approach to networking and building relationships in your industry. Tune in to discover how you can leverage in-person connections to grow your business and find inspiration!

Timestamps:

00:00 My transition from event photographer to keynote speaker
04:09 Tips for choosing and approaching networking events, and the benefits of regular, local meetups vs. large conferences
08:04 how to get the most out of in-person networking and events
14:44 what to prioritize at networking events
15:47 know of events in your area? share them!

Next Episode

006 Protect Your Creative Business: 5 legal and tax tips you can't ignore with Braden Drake from Not Avg Law

Get ready for a no-BS breakdown of the most important legal and tax tips for creative entrepreneurs with Braden Drake, a California licensed attorney and tax professional. In this episode, Braden and I (Emily Kim) discuss these top 5 legal + tax tips to get your creative business legally legit:

Keeping Taxes Simple – With basic bookkeeping and quarterly tax payments, Braden outlines how to avoid common tax pitfalls and streamline your finances.
Legal Layers of Protection – Braden introduces his “legal hierarchy of needs,” which is tbh, the best explanation of all things legal for a creative business owner like me who actively cringes anytime I hear anything law related.
Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC – Learn why forming an LLC can be a game-changer for protecting your personal assets from business liability.
What is an S-Corp actually, and when you should consider it – finally, understand what the heck an S-Corp actually is.
Does your tax + legal expert need to be local? – Understand when you might need a local expert versus when you can work with someone remotely.

FIND BRADEN ONLINE:

The Contract Club (affiliate link): https://www.bradendrake.com/a/2147575083/WeWgweFf

All the templates you need. All in one place. Just pay the low + affordable one-time fee, and you’re in for life.

Braden's law firm, Not Average Law: https://notavglaw.com/

Get Braden's book, Unf*ck Your Biz: https://notavglaw.com/book

Listen to the Unf*ck Your Biz Podcast:https://notavglaw.com/podcast

00:35 Who is Braden and why should you listen to him?
02:40 Tip #1: Keeping Taxes Simpler
10:44 Tip #2: Legal Layers of Protection
11:22 Tip #3: Choosing Between Sole Proprietorship and LLC
16:20 Tip #4: What is an S-Corp actually, and when you should consider it
26:56 Tip #5: Does your tax + legal expert need to be local?
36:46 How to Work with Braden and Final Takeaways