Let’s be honest for a minute.

You started your creative business with big dreams, maybe a vision board (same!), and probably way more enthusiasm than actual business knowledge. And somewhere along the way, things got… well, a little duct-taped together.

You know what I mean. That moment when a client asks about your process and you realize you’ve been winging it differently every single time. Or when someone asks about your revenue goals and you get that deer-in-headlights look because you honestly have no idea what your numbers even are.

If any of this is hitting a little too close to home, welcome to what I call the “Duct Tape Test.”

What Exactly Is a Duct Tape Business?

A duct tape business is one that’s held together by wishes, dreams, and a whole lot of “figuring it out as you go.” It’s the entrepreneurial equivalent of using duct tape to fix everything instead of actually addressing the root problems.

Don’t get me wrong, we’ve ALL been there. I definitely had my duct tape moments (okay, fine, duct tape years) when I first started. Even today, I’m an advocate of taking messy action. But the truth is, eventually, that duct tape starts to peel, and your business starts to feel harder than it should be.

The good news? Once you know the signs, you can start treating your business like the real business it deserves to be.

The 6 Creative Business Problems That Signal You’re Running on Wishes, Dreams, & Duct Tape

1. You Don’t Know Where You’re Headed

You can’t get where you want to go if you aren’t sure where that is. Period.

If someone asked you right now what your business will look like in three years, would you have a clear answer? Or would you give some vague response about “growing” and “helping more people”?

As I always like to say, “Fuzzy targets don’t get hit.” Instead of wishy washy goals, it’s time to get clear and strategic about your creative business vision.

If you’re still figuring out your vision as you go, you’re operating on duct tape. Your business needs a clear destination, not just good intentions.

COO Tip: Ready to get clear? Start with 4 Tips To Get Clear On Your Business Vision or learn How To Make A Vision Board To Build Your Dream Business. 

2. You’re Stuck in the Feast and Famine Cycle

Ah, the feast and famine cycle. (You know – those intense periods of being swamped with work followed by stretches of having barely anything coming in.) We’ve all been there, and honestly? It’s not a place you want to live long-term.

One month you’re celebrating because you landed three new clients, and the next month you’re stress-eating ice cream because your bank account looks tragic. You’ll never feel secure in your business if you’re constantly riding this roller coaster, and you will eventually burn out.

The reality check: If your income feels like a surprise every month, your business is held together with duct tape. Real businesses have predictable revenue streams and sustainable systems.

COO Tip: Is it time for you to break the cycle? Check out How to Break the Feast or Famine Cycle in Creative Business. Then set up Sales Rhythms To Help You Sell Smarter, Not Harder and Marketing Rhythms for Creatives Who’d Rather Create Than Promote.

3. You Can’t Tell Me Your Numbers Right Now

Quick! What’s your profit from last month? What about your revenue? What are your key performance indicators (KPIs), and how are they trending?

Just went blank or started making excuses about why you don’t track that stuff? We’ve found some duct tape.

Not knowing these numbers means you don’t really know how your business is doing. You’re flying on a wish and a prayer, which means you probably don’t have the right systems in place to track and manage your growth. Making informed, strategic decisions about the future becomes impossible when you don’t even know where you’re at right now.

Does the word “KPI” make you want to hide under a blanket? Your business is definitely duct-taped together.

COO Tip: Time to get honest with your numbers! Start with Unmasking the Truth: Why You Need to Get Honest About Your Business Numbers, then learn to Measure & Adjust Your Business Strategy. Don’t forget to establish your enough point and make sure you’re not underpricing your offers.

4. Everything Feels Hard, Scary, or Uninspiring

This one hits different because it’s not just about systems, it’s about how your business feels.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: when everything in your business feels like a struggle, it’s usually because you lack clarity on your priorities. Without knowing what your top priorities are, you can’t feel confident that you’re headed in the right direction or building something worthwhile. You’re always going to feel scattered, especially when you’re constantly putting out fires instead of focusing on what actually moves the needle.

Think about it – when you don’t know what matters most, every task feels equally urgent and important. That email, that social media post, that client request, that new idea you just had – they all compete for your attention with the same intensity. No wonder everything feels overwhelming.

Or maybe (and this is a big one) you accidentally built a business you kind of hate. It happens more than you’d think, and now’s the time to fix it.

The reality check: You have to be confident in what you’re doing AND want to do it. When your business feels like a perpetual uphill climb, there’s some duct tape that needs addressing and it usually starts with getting crystal clear on what actually matters.

COO Tip: Feeling overwhelmed or uninspired? Start here: 5 Reasons Why You’re Feeling Overwhelmed in Your Creative Business And What To Do About It. If you’re struggling with focus, read What To Do When You’re a Multi-Passionate Creative. And for some tactical help, try The “Boring” 10-Minute Productivity Secret.

5. You’re Reinventing the Wheel Every Single Time

Do you do everything just a little bit differently each time? No standard operating procedures (SOPs), no consistent process, just winging it based on whatever feels right in the moment?

This is going to get you frazzled and on the edge of burnout faster than you can say “creative entrepreneur.” Everything seems harder than it should because you’re literally making it harder by not systematizing anything.

The whole point of systems is that they build consistency, take pressure off you, save time, and prevent mistakes. Plus, they get all that important information out of your brain and stored safely so you can think about other things, get help when you need it, and devote your prime mental energy to the creative work you actually love.

Ultimately, if every client project feels like you’re starting from scratch, you’re duct taping your business together instead of supporting it with actual systems.

COO Tip: Ready to systematize? Start with The 3 S’s Your Creative Business Needs: Systems, Software & SOPs. Then check out I’m A Solopreneur… Do I Really Need SOPs? and learn 6 Ways to Create Time Freedom in Your Creative Business.

6. You Don’t Claim the Title “Business Owner”

This one might sting a little, but stay with me.

Do you call yourself a business owner? An entrepreneur? A founder? Or do you use softer terms like “freelancer,” “creative,” or “someone who does [your service]”?

If you don’t see yourself as a business owner, you probably aren’t treating your business like a real business, and that’s exactly where the duct tape comes in.

It took me way too long to embrace the title “entrepreneur,” and it was honestly one of the biggest shifts I made in treating my business like the real business it deserved to be.

Your mindset about your business directly impacts how you run it. If you’re not thinking like a business owner, you’re probably not operating like one either.

COO Tip: Ready to embrace your inner entrepreneur? Read 3 Reasons to Embrace Your Inner Entrepreneur for a Thriving Creative Business and check out The 3 Biggest Mistakes I Made When I Started My Creative Business (spoiler: #1 was taking too long to treat my business like a real business).

So, How’d You Do on the Duct Tape Test?

If you’re reading this and feeling a little called out (in the most loving way possible), don’t worry. Recognition is the first step toward building something stronger and more sustainable.

Maybe you identified with one of these signs, or maybe you’re sitting there thinking, “Oh no, I have ALL the duct tape.” Either way, you’re not broken, and your business isn’t doomed. You just need to start treating it like the real business it has the potential to be.

What’s Next?

The beautiful thing about identifying duct tape is that once you see it, you can start removing it piece by piece. You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight (please don’t try, that’s a recipe for overwhelm).

Start with the area that resonated most with you. If it’s the vision piece, begin getting clear on where you want your business to go. If it’s the numbers situation, start tracking your basic revenue and expenses. If it’s the systems issue, pick one process and document it properly.

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress toward building a business that supports you instead of draining you.

You and I both know you didn’t start your creative business to feel constantly overwhelmed, financially insecure, or like you’re flying by the seat of your pants. You started it because you have something valuable to offer the world, and you deserve to do that from a place of strength and stability.

It’s time to put down the duct tape and pick up some real tools. Ready to stop holding your business together with duct tape and start building a real business? My course Business Building for Creatives walks you through everything you need to create a strong foundation, sustainable systems, and the confidence to call yourself what you are: a successful entrepreneur. Let’s turn your creative passion into the thriving business it’s meant to be.