Big picture planning or proper business planning I think is probably the biggest challenge for me - to the point that I never seem to get very far with it before I give up and get back to other work!

I'm fine with planning smaller projects, etc. but getting a handle on the big (BIG!) picture and planning strategically for my business in terms of where I want/need to go I find really difficult.

This is especially as I feel this sort of planning for a micro business seems to be quite different to what is needed for bigger businesses which tend to work in more predictable ways, so it's hard to get advice/information that helps on this front.

The biggest challenge? Oh wow-- there are so many. I would have to say it's faith and confidence, day in and day out, working the plan even when you're feeling down and discouraged. :)

My biggest challenge is proper legal and financial organization. I find that very scary and more difficult the bigger and more successful I become. What if I want an employee? How will I pay taxes? What if some crazy person (heaven forbid) sues me?

I have to agree with Sarah above - hands down, the biggest challenge is legal and financial issues. I have trouble understanding all the ins and outs of the laws relating to small business.

My biggest challenge is staying focused. I have so many ideas and I want to do them all, so I end up with half finished projects.

My biggest challenge is knowing how to approach magazines and get noticed more widely. Sometimes it seems the same work is in the magazines and I want to break in too!

Keep them coming! These are great questions :)

Also interesting is if people say how long they have been in business - I'd love to know what questions crop up at certain stages of the business.

Marketing...... ouch..... I always thought it is enough to make good stuff. Now I know it isn't... :)

I'm with Bozena - marketing and I will add on a budget. Getting people to my store and my webpage. Marketing outside of to each other on Etsy.

my biggest challenge is the business/financial side. I feel really confident in my art abilities (or at least my ability to grow in them) but as soon as I get into figuring out things like taxes/prices/budgeting, I feel really overwhelmed. I don't want to make a mistake just because I didn't know something.

Agree with marketing and getting your work in publications. Both of those just seem so daunting. I don't even know where to begin.

Also marketing and PR. I want to be able to get myself mentioned in more publications as an expert and possibly some TV spots. I also want to know how get the word out about my services--that's been really difficult as I can't really afford traditional advertising, but even with my strong social media network, it hasn't been enough to pull in local clients (who aren't necessarily using Twitter/Facebook, etc.)

Marketing is my focus right now: how to get noticed. Is it worth it to spend money on web ads? If yes, how much is too much? And which blog/site? And should the ad be static or rotating images? What return should I expect? I would really love for someone to constructively critique what I'm doing now (everything).

making decisions about how much time to devote to various aspects of business (as i begin - just getting started here!) particularly when some areas are easier or more interesting and others more challenging!

and you know, all of the above! x

My biggest struggle, now that my Etsy shop is consistently busy, is finding time to make things for myself/my kiddos/my house. I'm debating on setting aside one day a week to work on other non-Pedestrian items.

I think my biggest struggle is knowing when/where/how to approach boutiques in my areas to carry my lines. It seems so intimidating and I am not sure what works and what doesn't.

hairofthehare.etsy.com