Notes on: Collaging & Entrepreneurship

During a creative sabbatical that began last summer, I found myself drawn to collage, the technique of creating new works from existing, often disparate materials. That curiosity eventually led me to a regular collage class with other artists at my local museum’s Studio School.

Recently, I noticed that I had started overpacking for class. Because we focus on a different technique each week, and rarely know the assignment beforehand, I would pack every paper, tool, and art supply I thought I could possibly need. Although the instructor always places a stack of “community” supplies on the table, much of it left behind by other students, most people, including me, tend to prefer working from their own stash.

One week, I had to head to class directly from a business trip without stopping home to grab my heavy bag of supplies. I only had space in my luggage for a basic set of tools, meaning I’d have to use whatever happened to be left on the table in the studio space. Initially, I was stressed. But creating within those constraints ultimately sparked a powerful shift.

The Leverage of Constraints

First, to even start the assignment, I had to believe that the classroom provided enough to source from and that I had the skill to make it work. I could spend my limited time searching for better (or more) materials, or I could get on with creating something meaningful.

To complete the assignment, I needed to reimagine what’s possible with a random assortment of papers, raw textures, and color palettes that I never would have chosen on my own. It forced me to invent new materials from what was available and deploy my basic tools in unconventional ways, guided by experienced artists who had spent years refining their ability to see possibility in unexpected materials.

An abundant mindset does not deny the presence of scarcity. It builds the creative muscle to start with what is available, then expands that availability through the act of doing the work.

For many entrepreneurs, this creative muscle can become a strategic asset for business. I’ve spent the last 20+ years as a full-time entrepreneur, building and growing companies through a wide range of funding, business, and growth models. Through it all, I’ve learned one hard truth: The deck is always stacked.

For most of us, success is not just about the resources we have. It is about how we activate them.

Try this: In Practice

Pick one project you want to advance this week. Now freeze your resources. Imagine you cannot acquire anything new: no new funding, software, hires, or external permission.

Instead of asking, “What am I missing?” ask:

• What is the simplest, fastest way to deliver the result I need?

• What existing assets am I ignoring?

• How can one asset do double duty?

• What imperfect material can I deploy right now?

For example, a spreadsheet can serve as more than a planning tool. It can become a lightweight prototype, a way to test a workflow, structure a service, model a customer experience, or prove that an idea works before you invest in building something more polished.

That is leverage: building the creative muscle to activate available resources to move an idea one-step forward. Then, rinse & repeat.