7 minute read

3 Steps for Brainstorming a Better Creative Business

Ready to turn your dreams of successful creative entrepreneurship into reality? Find out how brainstorming can help your business grow organically.

Avatar image for Rebecca Pitts by Rebecca Pitts
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Have you thought about starting your own Etsy shop and launching your own brand, but have no idea what you would sell? Or perhaps you have a long list of ideas for improving your existing shop, but can't figure out how to choose one, take the leap and run with it? Not too long ago, I was there, too.

My journey toward becoming a creative entrepreneur began when I plunged into full-time parenthood after the birth of my daughter. For the first time since the first grade, I was no longer in school or working at a traditional 9 to 5  job. Last March, somewhere in the space of sleep-deprived nights and long walks with a newborn, I brainstormed, built and launched my first entrepreneurial venture, Hudson + Daughter. My first year in business has been quite a ride with many happy surprises. I've had success with sales on my e-commerce site, wholesaling with retailers and have even landed press mentions in national magazines and blogs.

I was never a person who sold the things I made, went to art or business school, or knew I had to be an entrepreneur. Now, for the first time, I can honestly say that I am challenged, rewarded and surprised by my creative self as a business owner and maker. Whether you're 22 and haven't yet landed that first professional gig, a parent who's home with the kids, or you're currently employed in a demanding corporate job, I hope my story inspires you — an aspiring or evolving creative entrepreneur — to take the next step in building a business you can be proud of.

Step One: Take a good look at your skills and life experience.

These days, it's common to move on from jobs or careers, change course and succeed in fields completely unrelated to your university degree or early training. To get started brainstorming plans for a creative business or to take your existing shop to the next level, you'll want to first take an honest look at your resume, life experience and skills. Then ask yourself:

  • What are you good at?
  • What do your friends come to you for, asking for help? What do they admire about you?
  • What hobby or seemingly unimportant activity leaves you with a feeling of fulfillment or satisfaction?
  • What did you study in school? What did you like about it?
  • What did you love about your favorite job?
  • What did you loathe about that other job — the one that made your stomach turn on the way to work every morning?
  • If you have a shop already, what do you enjoy about running it? What don't you enjoy?

Ask yourself these questions, and answer them honestly. The idea here is to identify, in broad strokes, the type of work that brings you creative joy and aligns with your values in life.

Photo by Studio Mela

Step Two: Start your brainstorm.

Let's get specific now. Make a list — use note cards or a spreadsheet, whatever works best for you — and white-board every business idea (or business improvement) that comes to mind. Now's the time to be unrealistic and let your imagination run wild. I highly recommend the book The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau, which outlines this exercise in more detail. My list included the following: selling handmade paper dolls, consulting as an archivist (I do have a degree I spent a lot of money on), writing children's books and perhaps my favorite business idea —"I Don't" dot-com — where I undo all of your wedding plans, stress free, after a broken engagement.

Now, sort your list by the things that are most interesting and appealing to you. From my list, I quickly gathered that I wanted to sell a physical product as opposed to running a service-based business like a consultancy, which would keep me tied to appointments during the traditional 9-5 business hours.

Next, look at what you can actually do in a relatively short amount of time. What are the skills that you have now that will enable you to get your business moving or growing sooner than later?

Finally, ask yourself: Will people really pay for this? It's okay if your business idea is similar to other ideas that are out there — this is what's called "proof of concept." You may ask yourself, "How on earth can I start another dress pattern business? There are so many successful ones that are already out there!" This is actually good news; your idea has already found success in the market.

If you're having trouble coming up with a list of potential business ideas, here are some strategies I used to get the creative wheels spinning:

  • Keep a journal and commit to writing each day as part of a routine. Perhaps you get up early and set a timer for 10 minutes. This is not about writing something publishable or profound, it's about clearing the clutter in your mind and getting at the important stuff — your life goals, true wishes and creative impulses. The book The Artist's Way is an excellent tool that can help with sparking creativity.
  • Take a walk. Leave your earbuds and cell phone at home, and just see what comes to you in the silent space.
  • Take your time, but don't take forever. Make the commitment to this work every day.

Step Three: Weigh your options and take the plunge.

You have to start somewhere, and yes, choosing one idea to begin with means excluding all others, for now. It doesn't mean you can't continue to add to your business or evolve your collections over time.

Your point of entry is dependent on the risk you can take on. Ask yourself, honestly, what time and money you can invest in your venture. Sometimes your point of entry isn't the exact thing you want to be doing five years from now. I am thrilled to be making and selling eco-friendly, heirloom pieces that honor new babies, weddings and all of the fun life moments in-between. Was this the number one business idea on my list? Not at all. Do I have ideas for new collections and income streams? Oh heck yes. My full-time job was and is being a full-time parent. I knew I wasn't going to start with a business proposal, seek out investors and become a CEO overnight. Not only did I not want to risk that kind of capital, I don't have the time to take on this type of commitment — at least not right now.

You'll also need to consider what skills and resources you'll need to acquire in order to make your business happen. Maybe you really want to make and sell handbags, but have never sewn. That's okay. Can you build in the time for a new skill into your life, like learning to sew? Or say your dream is to make high-end jewelry, but you aren't crazy about taking out a business loan to afford those emeralds you really need. Consider choosing your point of entry with less expensive materials, and keep the gems high on your long-term vision board for your business.

Photo by Irena Sophia

Once you've done your homework — time to go for it! You'll be amazed at what happens once you make a decision; the world opens up, ideas start to flow. And as always, there are many more choices to make.

Etsy shop owners (newbies and veterans alike): How do you brainstorm ideas for a new collection, line or product? Share your suggestions in the comments below.

Avatar image for Rebecca Pitts Words by Rebecca Pitts

Rebecca Pitts is the founder and owner of Hudson + Daughter, an online shop that sells commissioned, handmade family treasures made of eco-friendly bamboo. She writes about running a creative business, making art for and with her daughter, and living in the Hudson Valley on her blog.

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