Is Now the Right Time to Become an Independent Creator?

The Changing Landscape for Artists and Creators

There was a time not long ago when going independent as an artist or creator seemed like a golden opportunity. The COVID-19 pandemic, while disastrous in many ways, created an unprecedented boom for online sales. People locked in their homes redirected their budgets toward online shopping, home improvement, and creative hobbies. Those with well-established e-commerce platforms thrived, selling everything from digital art to customized furniture.

Is Now the Worst Time to Go Independent as a Creator?

But what followed changed the game entirely. The post-pandemic world didn’t just return to normal; it reshaped itself into something unpredictable. Prices crept upward, first in ways that were invisible to the average consumer—raw materials like steel, flour, and oil became more expensive. Then came the shockwaves. When Russia invaded Ukraine, supply chains suffered even more, inflation skyrocketed, and everyday consumers started tightening their wallets. The economic uncertainty only deepened with growing political instability worldwide, making big life changes—such as quitting a corporate job to become a full-time artist—seem riskier than ever.

So, is this the worst time in a decade to try going independent? At first glance, it might seem like it. But the answer, like most things, isn’t black and white.

What’s Working Against You Right Now?

1. People Are Spending Less

• The biggest challenge for creators and small business owners right now is consumer behavior. When people feel uncertain about the future, they spend less on non-essentials—like art, courses, and custom designs.

• The luxury market still holds strong, but mid-tier and affordable art purchases have slowed down significantly.

2. Inflation Eats into Your Profit Margins

• Everything costs more—website hosting, ad campaigns, shipping fees, and raw materials. If you're a sculptor like me, you know how the price of steel has jumped. If you're a painter, you’ve seen how canvases and pigments are now pricier than ever.

• Raising prices to keep up with inflation can alienate potential buyers who are also feeling financial pressure.

3. Saturated Markets and the Rise of AI

• More people are trying their hand at creative side hustles, flooding marketplaces like Etsy, Instagram, and TikTok with competition.

• AI-generated art, writing, and even music have disrupted traditional creative industries, making it harder to stand out.

4. The Gig Economy is in Trouble

• Freelancers and solopreneurs once thrived in the gig economy, but platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are more competitive than ever, often forcing artists to lower their prices just to land work.

• Companies that once outsourced creative work to independent artists are now tightening budgets or experimenting with AI solutions instead.

What’s Still Working in Your Favor?

1. More People Want Unique, Handmade, and Authentic Work

• While mass production and AI-generated art are on the rise, there’s also a counter-movement: people seeking genuine, human-made pieces with a story behind them.

• This is where branding and storytelling become crucial. If you can connect with your audience emotionally, you can still find buyers who value what you create.

2. E-commerce Is Here to Stay

• The pandemic accelerated online shopping, and it’s not going away. Even though people are spending more cautiously, they’re still buying—especially if what you offer has emotional or functional value.

• Niche markets are thriving. If you create work tied to a specific interest (e.g., space-inspired sculptures like I do), you can still carve out a dedicated audience.

3. Social Media Can Still Be Leveraged (If You Adapt)

• TikTok and Instagram are still powerful tools for discovery, though the landscape is shifting.

• Instead of relying on old strategies, focus on storytelling, showing your process, and engaging your audience in a way that makes them feel part of your creative journey (without using the word ‘journey’—it sounds too AI-generated).

The Smart Way to Transition to Full-Time Independence

If you’re considering leaving a corporate job to pursue your creative passion full-time, now is not the time for a dramatic exit. Instead, take a strategic approach:

1. Keep Your Day Job (For Now)

• Financial stability allows for creative freedom. Having a steady income means you don’t have to compromise your art just to make quick sales.

• Use your job as an investor in your future independence—funding materials, advertising, or necessary tools.

2. Build and Test Your Market First

• Don’t assume people will buy just because you create. Test different pricing, styles, and platforms.

• Sell on multiple platforms to see what works best—Etsy, Instagram, your own website, even local markets.

3. Diversify Your Income Streams

• Relying solely on selling physical artwork is risky. Consider:

  • Offering digital downloads

  • Teaching online courses or workshops

  • Licensing your art for prints, merchandise

4. Grow Your Audience First

• It’s easier to sell when you have an engaged audience who trusts you.

• Use social media not just for showcasing work but for creating conversations.

• Consider an email newsletter—social platforms change, but your email list is yours forever.

5. Have a Financial Buffer

• If you’re serious about quitting your job, have at least six months of living expenses saved up before making the leap.

• Prepare for slow seasons—art sales are cyclical, and even successful creators have droughts.

Final Thoughts: Is It the Worst Time to Go Independent?

Yes and no. On paper, this might seem like the hardest time in a decade to become a full-time artist, solopreneur, or creative business owner. The economy is unpredictable, spending habits are shifting, and the world feels unstable. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

If you’re at the crossroads of leaving your corporate job, my advice is: don’t rush it. Keep your income, build your creative business slowly, and adapt to the changing landscape. The right time isn’t about external factors—it’s about when you’ve built enough stability to take the leap without falling flat.

So, take it slow, be strategic, and when the time is truly right, go all in.

Peter Hauerland

www.vonhauerland.com