Imagine being a struggling artist, working multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet, and feeling like your creative spark is dwindling. That was the story of Vera Wang, the famous fashion designer, before she took a leap of faith and turned her passion into a business. Wang was a figure skater and journalist before she became a designer, but she didn’t let her initial failures hold her back. Instead, she used them as an opportunity to learn and grow.
As a creative soul, you’re probably no stranger to feeling stuck or uncertain about how to turn your passion into a profitable business. But Wang’s story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to make a change and pursue your dreams. So, what’s holding you back from starting your own creative business? Is it fear of failure, lack of resources, or simply not knowing where to start?
In this post, we’ll explore five creative business opportunities that’ll make your heart sing and your bank account smile. So, if you’re asking yourself, “What creative business should I start?” then grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive in!
Nature Of a Creative Business
So, with the continuous rise of the creative economy, which has been energized by the invention of Artificial Intelligence, it’s not a surprise that people are constantly thinking of turning their passions into profitable ventures. However, if you’re asking yourself, “What creative business should I start?” that easily leads to another question: “What actually defines a creative business?” For many, the first thought that comes to mind is arts-based businesses, encompassing industries like visual arts, advertising, and music. However, new technologies are forcing us to rethink this definition and blur the lines between traditional industries.
The Creative Economy
The creative economy has become a significant component of a country’s GDP and a way for it to gain a competitive edge in the market. Employing 30 million people worldwide and generating $2.25 trillion in global revenue, according to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). it’s no wonder governments and non-profits are pushing for policy developments to help foster the creative economy. In Britain, for example, innovation foundation Nesta developed a 10-point policy manifesto to spur creative sector growth in the UK.
What Makes a Creative Business?
So, what makes a creative business? Is it purely commercial arts and design activities, or is it something more? According to Upstart Co-Lab, a creative business must meet certain criteria, including the use of creative skills and talents to create commercial value, solve complex problems, and drive cultural and social impact. This definition encompasses a wide range of industries, from health and beauty businesses to sustainable manufacturing companies.
Also, you might wonder, what kind of businesses don’t count as creative businesses? Still according to Upstart Co-Lab, if a business is just about making money and doesn’t have any social impact, it doesn’t fit the bill. This includes things like investment funds that buy and sell art, or other financial products that use art as assets.
Rethinking the Definition of a Creative Business
As new technologies continue to emerge and industries evolve, it’s essential to rethink the definition of a creative business. Take, for example, Diamond Foundry, which uses solar technology to forge man-made diamonds, or Bio-bean, which produces biofuels made from recycled coffee grounds. These businesses are not only creative but also revolutionary, and they’re changing the way we think about industries like manufacturing and energy.
The Future of Creative Businesses
As the creative economy continues to grow and evolve, it’s exciting to think about the future of creative businesses. With governments and non-profits pushing for policy developments to support the creative economy, it’s likely that we’ll see even more innovative businesses emerge in the coming years. So yeah, this is one of the best times in the history of the world to ask yourself “what creative business should I start?”
However, before we look at different types of creative businesses, we’ll analyze the various types of creativity that exist:
7 Types Of Creativity
Idea Creativity
This involves generating new ideas or concepts for your business, whether for a product, service, or problem-solving approach. Many entrepreneurs are great at coming up with ideas for innovative products and services.
If you’re an avid ideator with notebooks full of ideas, this is you! Make time to work on some of them, though. Just like Leonardo da Vinci, who was known for his curiosity and innovative ideas. He was like a Renaissance superhero, minus the cape (although, who knows, maybe he had one in his closet!).
Material Creativity
This involves creating tangible objects for your business, such as products, advertisements, reports, or artwork. People with this type of creativity outside of the workplace are those who love to make or build things with their hands. They can come up with ideas for something and then use materials available to them to physically create them.
If you’re an avid DIYer (Do it Yourself) with tons of projects, some completed and some not, this is you! You might be the next Michelangelo, crafting beautiful works of art. Or, who knows, maybe you’ll be the next IKEA founder (Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd), creating furniture that’s both stylish and affordable (although, let’s be real, sometimes it’s more like ” stylish and requires an engineering degree to assemble!).
Organization Creativity
This involves innovating in organizing people, spaces, projects, or the structure of ventures in your business. These tend to be people who are great at keeping multiple details and projects on track and in the right place. A former coaching client had this skill and ran a business where she would go into people’s homes and offices and create systems for organizing their spaces.
If your space, both personal and workspace, is always organized, and you know where everything is and why it is there, this is you! You’re like the great African queen, Nefertiti, who was known for her beauty and organizational skills.
Relationship Creativity
This involves being good at relating to different types of people, their cultures, personalities, or perspectives. People with this form of creativity are great at creating innovative approaches to collaboration, cooperation, and constructive relationships with others in their business.
If you have a bunch of different friends that you would never put into the same room because you know they wouldn’t get along with each other, but get along just fine with you, this is you! You’re like the great European diplomat, Otto von Bismarck, who was known for his ability to bring people together. He was like the glue that held Europe together (although, let’s be real, sometimes that glue was more like duct tape, holding things together with a little bit of force and a lot of hope!).
Event Creativity
This involves being able to craft memorable and effective events and experiences for your business, considering aspects like decor, participant involvement, sequence of events, and setting. These people can juggle multiple tasks and components of an event into a singular experience.
If you find yourself as the party planner in your friend group or family, or even in your workplace, this is you! You’re like the great African festival organizer, Fela Kuti, who was known for his energetic and memorable performances. He was like the life of the party, minus the noise complaints.
Inner Creativity
This involves having an innate understanding of the human condition, not only of yourself but others as well. People who have this skill are great problem solvers in situations in which both personal and interpersonal issues arise; they tend to be people who you can go to for advice, mentorship, problem-solving, and in a business context, to understand the needs of customers.
If your friends and loved ones often come to you for advice for their problems, and you can identify not only why they have the problem, how to fix it, and why they are feeling the way they are about it, then this is you! You’re like the great Greek philosopher, Socrates, who was known for his wisdom and ability to ask the right questions.
Spontaneous Creativity
This involves being able to respond quickly and creatively in any situation, not only in your business but in your personal life. People who have this ability to think on their feet are quick to come up with solutions to problems and react to events decisively, effectively, and without prior thought or planning.
If someone asked you to speak off the cuff at an event, and you can easily go into a 10-minute speech unprepared, this is you! You’re like the great African-American comedian, Richard Pryor, who was known for his quick wit and ability to think on his feet. He was like the Houdini of comedy.
5 Categories of Creative Business Opportunities
Sell Arts and Crafts Online
Whether you crochet, paint, weave, or sculpt, you can sell your arts and crafts online. You can start an Etsy or RedBubble shop or start your own online shop with WooCommerce or Shopify. Then you can create quality content using the strategies in this course to engage clients. However, if online is not your style, you can sell your products at local craft fairs and markets.
Not only do you get to set your own price for the items you create, but you also get to keep all of the profits. It’s like being your own boss, minus the bossy attitude (although, who knows, maybe you’ll develop a bossy attitude once you’re in charge!).
Photography
Photography is one way that creative people often express themselves. This medium is used in different ways, capturing daily life or showcasing the rich cultural and environmental diversity of a country. Photographers can generate an income in one of two ways: By making their services available to customers through platforms like Cre8Space, or selling stock photography.
Candle Making
Candle making is a creative business idea that can be very lucrative. With quality supplies and some guidance from online sources, it’s easy to start a candle-making business. These products can be sold online or at local markets.
You can even reach out to gift shops via email, applying the strategies in this course to find out if they would like to become a reseller of your products.
Teaching Artistic Skills
Any creative individual can start a business where they teach others how to express themselves through artistic endeavors. One such option is to offer dance classes or start a dance studio. Be it ballet, ballroom dancing, or even contemporary dance, expressing yourself through movement can make money while you groove.
Similarly, offering art classes where you show different painting techniques and art styles, use different mediums or explore colors can be a good business idea.
Conclusion
And there you have it! With these 7 types of creativity and business ideas, you have your answer to the question “what creative business should I start?” Remember, being creative isn’t just about painting or writing songs – it’s about finding innovative solutions to problems and expressing yourself in unique and meaningful ways.
So, don’t be afraid to think outside the box and explore your creative potential. Who knows, you might just come up with the next big thing! And when you’re ready to showcase your skills, platforms like Cre8Space can connect you with job opportunities that match your creative talents.
