Hi Reader!

Let’s Talk About Business.

What does it actually mean to own a business?

At its core:

• A shop sells something to make money.
• A company produces and sells something to make money.

Right?

But how do you go from creator to entrepreneur?

Before I met my husband, I worked as an employee. I did my best to provide value to my employer. When we started building and running businesses together, I assumed it would be the same—work hard, give value, and everything would fall into place.

I soon learned there’s much more to it. My husband, who had experience in running businesses, taught me the ropes—sometimes the hard way. Business isn’t like working in a kindergarten; it’s an entirely different world.

Once I embraced the business mindset, I realized the freedom it offers. I’ve lived that way for nearly 30 years, learning hard lessons and having many discussions with my husband. I wouldn’t trade any of it because it shaped who I am today.

Now, I want to share those lessons with you. Writing and being creative is amazing, but turning creativity into a business requires additional skills.

What Does It Mean to Be a Business Owner?

A business owner controls the operational and monetary aspects of a business. A business creates, markets, and sells products or services to make money. In short, you’re a creator who wants to build a business around your creativity.

But transitioning from creator to business owner means shifting your mindset.

You need to move beyond the creative process to include:

• Strategy
• Planning
• Scaling
• Profitability
• Sustainability

I used to think that writing and blogging were just creative outlets—not businesses. But over time, I realized that to make money, I had to treat it like a business. I needed to plan content, focus on my ideal customer, create lead magnets, and test ideas to see what resonated with my audience.

Signs You’re Stuck in the Creator Mindset

It can be difficult to shift your mindset, especially if you’re used to working only with creativity.

Here are some signs that you’re still in the creator mindset:

• You focus all your time on creating, not monetizing.
• You don’t track income or expenses.
• You avoid marketing, networking, or strategic planning.

When I started blogging, I made the same mistakes.

Overcoming the Fear of Transition

It’s natural to feel fear—fear of failure, of not knowing enough about business, or of financial instability. That fear doesn’t have to stop you. It’s part of the process.

Start by acknowledging that fear and turning it into a strategy.

One of my business coaches suggested an exercise: Write down your fears and separate them into facts and assumptions.

This process helps you focus on turning obstacles into opportunities.

Practical Steps to Shift from Creator to Business Owner

Shifting from creator to business owner requires not just a change in mindset but also practical steps:

1. Finances: Understand your income and expenses. Learn the basics of business finances, like the difference between revenue and profit, and review your financials regularly.
2. Systems and Automation: Use tools like email marketing platforms to automate your processes, saving you time while staying connected to your audience.
3. Monetizing Your Content: Test product ideas, even small ones, to see what works and build from there. Don't wait for perfection—take action.
4. Self-Care and Balance: Avoid burnout. Create time-blocking schedules to balance work and recreation. Your creativity thrives when you stay refreshed.

Overcoming Common Fears

The fear of failure and the unknown is common among new business owners. But these fears are manageable if you take small, strategic steps forward. Mistakes will happen—embrace them as learning opportunities.

Start Thinking Like a Business Owner

Transitioning from creator to business owner is about shifting your focus from passion-driven work to purpose-driven work.

You’ll need to think about:

• Long-term goals
• Your customer’s needs
• How to market and monetize your work

Your Next Steps

To successfully transition, take these steps:

1. Audit Your Creative Processes: Evaluate your time. Are you focusing on business-building activities like planning and marketing?
2. Set a Revenue Goal: Define a clear financial target. Break it down into smaller milestones.
3. Choose One Monetization Method: Start small with one income stream that aligns with your audience’s needs.
4. Schedule Weekly Business Time: Spend time each week working “on” your business—planning and strategizing—not just creating.

Start now—don’t let fear hold you back.

The journey from creator to business owner doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right mindset and actionable steps, you’ll be well on your way to building a business that thrives.

💡 Take Action!

Discover the exact steps to shift from creator to business owner with a detailed, actionable list designed to help you:

✅ Overcome fear and start building your business mindset.
✅ Understand your finances and set up systems for success.
✅ Monetize your creativity and grow sustainably.

👉 Read the Full Post on Substack and kickstart your journey to becoming a thriving entrepreneur today and get the full list of actions!

Turn Your Creativity Into a Thriving Business!

With over 20 years of business experience and having successfully built a 5-figure online business from scratch, I’m sharing my proven strategies to help you turn your passion into a thriving business.

📥 Download my FREE Kickstart Your Business on Purpose Guide and discover:

✅ Clear steps to evaluate your readiness for starting an online business successfully.
✅ Actionable tips to carve out time for launching your business.
✅ A step-by-step guide to uncover the perfect business idea and turn your passion into profit.

Start creating the life and business you’ve always dreamed of—on your terms.

👉 Download Your Free Guide Now and kickstart your journey today!

xo,

Katja

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