7 Creative Sources of Inspiration for Entrepreneurs

I write and edit for a living. As someone who needs to be “creative” on cue, even when I’m tired, sick or feel like my creative tank is running on empty, I keep an inspiration file to help me find my mojo when it is in short supply. Entrepreneurs face a similar challenge; they have to innovate and evolve, even while they’re busy establishing their companies..  Below you’ll discover some of my favorite sources of inspiration for entrepreneurs from the worlds of photography, writing, design and more.

1. Penny de Los Santos

Penny de Los Santos is a professional photographer. Formerly of Austin, Texas, she now lives in New York City, although assignments take her all over the world. Her most recent (as of early November) was an assignment in Mexico City during Day of the Dead. Her Instagram is a visual meal.

Lesson for entrepreneurs: One piece of advice that de los Santos shares with aspiring photographers is: “You have to self-assign your dream assignment.” In other words, don’t wait for permission, and don’t wait for someone to give you your dream. Give yourself your own dream assignment.

2. Buffer’s Social Blog

Buffer’s social blog is a collection of “thoughts on sharing, creating, analyzing and converting with social media.” The blog shares everything from new apps, to the optimal length for updates, and general tips on how to succeed with your social media efforts. The great thing about the blog is how it ranges from high-level strategy and best practices to the detailed, nitty-gritty of day-to-day posting on social media networks. Check out this post, which lays out exactly how Buffer’s content team creates so much content so regularly. You may be surprised at the amount of time it takes them on each piece.

Lesson for entrepreneurs: Buffer in general is extremely transparent. They are also extremely generous in sharing the lessons they’ve learned. The first lesson is: Can you find similar people or companies in your industry to learn from? And the second lesson is: Are you ready to become that resource for others?

3. The Great Discontent

The Great Discontent is an online (and print) magazine that features “interviews on beginnings, creativity and risk.” Each Tuesday, a new interview is published with visionaries from all disciplines. Two of my favorites have been the interviews with Clayton Cubitt, a high school dropout and self-taught photographer, filmmaker and writer, and Elle Luna, an artist and designer who also has worked with startups like Mailbox and Uber.

Lesson for entrepreneurs: One of the common themes among the interviewees is risk. Many of the people interviewed work for themselves, and while their industries are different, other business owners can glean wisdom from these varied experiences and approaches to risk and work.

4. Creative Mornings

Creative Mornings is a “breakfast lecture series for the creative community.” This series takes place in 99 cities and features a different creative speaker each month. I’ve attended Creative Mornings in Austin, and I’ve enjoyed watching the taped lectures from other cities around the world.

Lesson for entrepreneurs: Create or join a community that provides regular networking, inspiration and learning in your field.

5. Lynda Barry

Lynda Barry is cartoonist, writer, teacher and much, much more. I enjoy reading her Tumblr, The Near-Sighted Monkey, which is a bit like peeking into a crazy collector’s cabinet. You never know what you’re going to find. She shares images, writing, music and an eclectic assortment of interesting stuff for her various classes.

Lesson for entrepreneurs: Don’t get so caught up in the grind that you forget to play. Sometimes your greatest inspiration will come from a hobby or something that is not clearly related to your work.

6. Noah Kagan

Noah Kagan of Okdork.com is well-known in the startup and marketing worlds. He shares tools and content through AppSummo, he was an early employee at both Facebook and Mint and he loves tacos. He regularly shares a ton of great resources (I’ve bought copywriting books, downloaded a writing app called Scrivener and taken a summer marketing class through his recommendations.)

Lesson for entrepreneurs: Kagan openly shares his failures, and these often offer more wisdom (for me) than his successes. They’ve shown me not only that anyone can fail, but also that you can learn from failures instead of being defined by them.

7. Rebecca Rebouche

Rebecca Rebouche is a former graphic designer turned artist. I love getting a glimpse into her studio and work through both her blog and her Instagram. Her work is dreamy, beautiful and inspired by nature. In addition to fine art, she also works in partnership with Anthropologie to create home goods, clothing and art.

Lesson for entrepreneurs: Before she starts a new project, Rebouche will surround herself with inspiration for that particular collection. Whatever you want to achieve, collecting and regularly reviewing your inspiration can serve as a great reminder and ongoing encouragement to help you visualize your goals.

Bringing It Together

You likely have your go-to magazines, websites or other industry publications that keep you up-to-date. However, inspiration and lessons can come from sources outside your industry too. The seven listed above are just a few of the possibilities.