5 Mindset Shifts I Needed to Make to Thrive as a Creative Entrepreneur

Five years ago, I was a stressed-out employee dealing with anxiety, sleepless nights, and debilitating stomach pain that affected almost every part of my life. I knew something had to change.

So, with less than $5,000 in the bank, I took a leap of faith—I quit my day job and decided to pursue my passion of becoming a full-time wellness practitioner.

At first, I did what I thought I had to do: I taught a million yoga classes a week in studios, overbooking myself and eventually burning out.

I had left the 9-to-5 grind, but somehow, I had recreated it in a different form—trading time for money with no real freedom.

It wasn’t until I remembered that I could design the life I actually wanted that things truly started shifting. You see, I had been dreaming of this self employed, purpose driven life for years and years, since art school, but actually creating it was another story.

I eventually stopped running on autopilot, got intentional, and began building a business that aligned with my values in 2022, a year and a half after I went self employed.

Nothing is perfect, and I’m still on this journey, but the freedom of time I have now is a huge resource—one I fiercely protect.

Here are five key mindset shifts that continually help me to cultivate this aligned way of working and living.

Mindset Shift #1: Letting Go of What Others Think

One of the hardest things for me about starting my own business was the constant fear of judgment. What if people think I’m not qualified? What if I fail? What if they think I’m weird for doing things differently?

As an employee since I was 15 years old, I had spent years seeking validation from bosses, my coworkers and other external sources. But as an entrepreneur, I realized eventually that I had to let that go.

I had to stop worrying about approval so much and start focusing on who I actually wanted to serve. The journey to visibility and “showing up fully” continues as I grow and learn and serve in a broader way.

📌 Reality Check: The people who don’t get it are not your people. The ones who do will be drawn to your work naturally.

🚀 Shift: Instead of playing small out of fear, I started sharing my work unapologetically (especially on Patreon). I gave myself permission to take up space and to take what I felt were healthy risks. Over time I realized I’d rather live in my truth and potentially ruffle some feathers than to stay in hiding and not express my gifts. This one continues to be hard sometimes, that’s why it’s number one!! #transparent

Mindset Shift #2: Go Where It’s Warm

In my first couple of years as a full-time wellness practitioner, I wasted so much energy trying to convince people to care about what I was offering. I thought if I just explained it better, they would understand. Spoiler alert: They didn’t.

Then, I learned a golden rule: Go where it’s warm. Instead of trying to “sell” to people who weren’t interested, I started focusing on the communities, friends, and clients who already resonated with my work. The ones who got it.

📌 Reality Check: The right people are already out there. Stop chasing and start attracting by sharing what you’re passionate about.

🚀 Shift: I began nurturing relationships with like-minded people and trusting my intuition. This led to more aligned clients and opportunities—with less of the exhausting hustle.

Mindset Shift #3: Find People in Your Network to Link Up With

At first, I thought I had to figure everything out on my own. I was used to working in structured environments where someone else set the rules. But as an entrepreneur, that safety net was gone.

I quickly learned that success isn’t a solo journey (even though I tend to self isolate). The biggest shifts in my business came when I started leaning into collaboration and community.

I began to let others into my little entrepreneurial world and I even formed co-working relationships with other creative small business owners. This was HUGE for me and allowed me to move to the next level in my business, what with the support and accountability.

When I opened up to the possibility of working to collaborate with other folks in my industry, that was the key that allowed me to lead my first retreat and get that ball rolling. I’ve now hosted six retreats and am planning three more and a retreat planning online course).

📌 Reality Check: You don’t have to have all the answers!! You just need to surround yourself with people who expand your vision.

🚀 Shift: I started intentionally connecting with other creatives, wellness practitioners, and small business owners. Whether it was a collaboration, a co-hosted retreat, or just an encouraging voice, these relationships changed everything and allowed me to level up in a new way.

Mindset Shift #4: You Need Clarity Before You Begin, But You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

When I first started back in 2021, I thought I had to have the perfect plan before I could take action. I kept waiting for clarity, but clarity doesn’t just arrive—it happens through action I realized.

I started with what I knew: teaching classes. But as I grew in that, I realized I wanted more than just a packed teaching schedule—I wanted freedom and to actually move the needle in my business. That realization only came through experience.

📌 Reality Check: You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to know your next step.

🚀 Shift: I gave myself permission to evolve. Instead of getting stuck in perfectionism, I started experimenting and refining along the way (and I still am!).

Mindset Shift #5: Passion & Joy Are Valid Business Strategies

We’re often told that work has to be hard to be valuable. That making money requires struggle. But here’s what I’ve learned: the things that bring me the most joy are also the things that attract the right people and opportunities. And then my job is to show up consistently in that joy.

One way I consistently show up in my joy is through my email newsletter that I’ve sent virtually every week for years now.

For years in an employee mindset, I overworked myself in ways that drained my unique energy. Now, I make decisions based on what feels aligned—and that shift has allowed me to build a business that supports my well-being instead of draining it.

📌 Reality Check: If you’re constantly drained, you may be building the wrong business model.

🚀 Shift: I started prioritizing what felt good and trusting that joy is magnetic. I found ways to show up consistently in that.

Give Yourself Permission to Thrive!

If you’re a creative entrepreneur (or dreaming of becoming one), I want you to know this: You can design a life that works for you.

If I can do it, you can do it.

But it’s not about following someone else’s blueprint—it’s about figuring out what you want, what truly inspires your heart and having the courage to go after it (despite the baggage we all carry, what others may think and all the other fears that may be trying to hold you back).

Again I want to reiterate: you don’t have to show up perfectly to make an impact. We all have a unique story and purpose (I believe) and the world needs your unique gifts!! Share them!

✨ Which of these mindset shifts resonates with you the most? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

🚀 Ready to step into your next level? Join my email list (form in the footer of this page) for more creative business insights, mindset shifts and opportunities to grow your dream business with confidence. 💌

xoxo,

Brennah