This is a guest post from Kayla Matthews is a productivity blogger based out of Pittsburgh, PA. You can read her latest posts by following her on Twitter @KaylaEMatthews.
Forging your own path as an entrepreneur isn’t easy. If it were, more people would likely chance it. Being an independent professional or freelancer comes with a long list of caveats that go hand-in-hand with the benefits.
One of the most helpful aspects is that with modern technology, you can work from anywhere in the world. This is especially true of professions that are always on the move like photographers, journalists and more.
Even programmers, web designers and graphic artists have the opportunity to work from anywhere on their own time.
But there’s always a chance — even if you absolutely love what you to do — to run out of creativity and inspiration. When this happens, productivity suffers greatly and so does your business.
One of the best ways to get back in the swing of things is to look elsewhere for inspiration. Believe it or not, one of the best places to do this is Instagram. There are a long list of Instagram accounts that are motivational, inspirational and creative, and it takes only minutes to seek them out.
How to Find Instagram Inspiration
While the primary purpose of this post is to share with you some of my favorite Instagram accounts that motivate and inspire me, I also wanted to give a few helpful tips for finding Instagram inspiration of your own.
If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance you’re actively trying to grow your own Instagram account, so here are a few helpful tips for finding inspiration for your own account.
1) Post on a Consistent Basis
One of the best ways to stay inspired, is to make sure you’re posting on a regular basis. Doing this keeps your creative juices flowing, and more importantly gives you constant feedback from your followers. By knowing what they like, you can tailor your strategy and photo style to them.
2) Don’t Be Afraid to Take the “Insta” out of “Instagram”
Yes, Instagram started as simply quick images taken on your phone. But if you’re a more advanced photographer, and you find having a point and shoot, DSLR, or the ability to edit using software like Lightroom or Photoshop makes you be more creative, then don’t be afraid to post stuff after the fact.
Doing this, while mixing it in with more real, behind the scenes stuff shot on your phone can add personality to your account, which users love to see.
3) Try Something New Every Day
Push yourself to do something every day you’ve never done before. Breaking that routine is one of the best things you can do to find more Instagram inspiration for your account.
4) Follow Accounts that Inspire You
Probably the best way to find inspiration for your own photos, is to be inspired by other people.
Spend some time searching through Instagram accounts that you find inspiring, and give them a follow. Every time you see a new post come up, it will help foster new ideas for your own business and account.
16 Instagram Accounts to Follow for Inspiration
So, to that last point, here are my favorite motivational Instagram accounts that can help solopreneurs, freelancers and remote workers!
#1. Gary Vaynerchuk
Just in case you’re not familiar — and if that’s true you probably live under a rock — Gary Vaynerchuk is a renowned serial entrepreneur. He’s also invested in major companies like Facebook, Twitter, Uber and more.
He uses his Instagram account to share marketing and social media insights, podcast clips, behind the scenes featurettes and much more. Of course, what you’re really looking for is the insights into running your own business, which he definitely provides. You can check out Gary’s Instagram at @Garyvee.
#2. Andy Frisella
Andy Frisella is another successful entrepreneur who has a lot to say about the industry. One thing you’ll learn from his account is that you shouldn’t waste time complaining, but instead spend it doing. One of Andy’s most prominent credentials includes a position as CEO of 1st Phorm. It’s a supplement company that he helped personally grow into a multi-million-dollar force.
Andy has a wealth of Instagram inspiration on his account with a variety of inspirational quotes, tips and behind the scenes snippets of his popular podcast.
You’ll find Andy Frisella at @AndyFrisella.
#3. Prsuit
Prsuit is actually an online publication, founded by Case Kenny. It features both motivational and inspirational content specifically geared toward men.
It’s more of a crowd-sourced platform with over 400 contributing authors spread across the globe. The main goal of the publication is to eliminate clickbait and worthless content. They want to provide truly useful articles, stories and experiences for their audience — with the hope that people can resonate. The Instagram account is much of the same, with a litter of inspirational quotes, links to highly motivational stories and a variety of helpful guides for millennials. You can browse the Prsuit account at @Prsuit.
#4. Hustle & Deal Flow Magazine (HDFmagazine)
HDFmagazine is yet another online publication, and it’s from Trep Media Group — the same company responsible for Prsuit.
The Instagram account for the magazine features a huge selection of motivational content for entrepreneurs and remote workers. Many of the inspirational quotes featured are taken directly from interviews with successful entrepreneurs that have been featured in the magazine.
The creator of the magazine — Matt Gottesman — also weighs in with tips, insights and more. Perhaps even more awesome is the fact that Gottesman makes it a point to respond to each and every post commented on the site’s wall.
You can follow and view HDFmagazine at @HDFMagazine.
#5. Arvin Lal (Arvin’s World)
Arvin Lal is the founder of Shredz, a strength building supplement. It seems fitting then that his Instagram account is dedicated to providing motivation and inspiration to his followers. His fans are known as the #ShredzArmy, and they regularly engage and interact with his many posts.
His Instagram is a smorgasbord of inspirational quotes, public speaking snippets from expos and events as well as detailed experiences as the Shredz owner. Even if you’re not into health and fitness or supplements, you’ll want to follow this guy for his many helpful insights. You can check him out at @ArvinsWorld.
#6. Bethenny Frankel
Bethenny is a reality TV star, from “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,” and “The Real Housewives of New York City.” However, her television credits have nothing to do with why she’s on this list. She is the founder of Skinny Girl Cocktails, and she has done a lot to grow her business.
Greece is the word A photo posted by Bethenny Frankel (@bethennyfrankel) on
Her Instagram account is motivational and provides a glimpse at what it’s like to be a successful and influential entrepreneur. She offers a variety of insights and ideas you won’t find elsewhere, particularly because she’s a female. Let’s face it — women just approach things differently than men, and that’s a good thing!
Check out Bethenny at @BethennyFrankel.
#7. Richard Branson
If you don’t know who Richard Branson is, you’ve got a lot of reading to do. He is an extremely successful entrepreneur who is well known for his constant desire to innovate.
Because he is so successful, Branson often travels to exotic locations and experiences many luxuries, and he posts about this on Instagram. That’s not why you want to follow him, however.
Branson also hustles, like no one else. His account is filled with inspirational quotes and insights on the intricacies of running a business. If there’s only one account you choose to follow from this list, it should be his. Check him out at @RichardBranson.
#8. Pete Cashmore
Pete Cashmore is the founder of Mashable, so it goes without saying his Instagram is overly creative and inspirational. 
More importantly, Pete Cashmore is real. None of his content seems staged or photoshopped. He doesn’t try to sell his audience products, nor does he try to push some underlining agenda. It offers a true, direct look at the day-to-day life of a successful CEO, and that’s something we all could use during our journey to the top. Unfortunately, his account is private, so you’ll need to send a follow request to see his content. You can find his account at @PeteCashmore.
#9. Belong Mag
Belong Mag is a publication dedicated to celebrating the community of female creatives and entrepreneurs.
Their Instagram account is centered around motivation, inspiration and helpful guides. You’ll find motivational accounts to be a dime-a-dozen on Instagram, but this one stands out for the helpful content you’ll find.
If you’ve ever had a question of your own, or run into problems growing your business, you can always check out one of the many guides they offer — written in a how-to style.
You’ll want to bookmark @belongmag.
#10. Entrepreneur Magazine
This one seems a bit on the nose, sure, but it’s still relevant.
The Entrepreneur Magazine Instagram account is dedicated to “inspiring, informing, and celebrating entrepreneurs.” They also feature a regular dose of content from the official magazine, as you’d expect.
Many of the images they share go along with a motivational quote or helpful tip for aspiring entrepreneurs – which makes it one of my favorite accounts for Instagram inspiration.
If you’re not already in the habit of visiting their Instagram account @entrepreneur — or their official site while we’re at it — you definitely should.
#11. Mark Cuban
There’s a reason Mark Cuban has been featured on so many entrepreneur and inspiration-themed lists. He is extremely successful, and he embodies the term “role model,” especially for aspiring solopreneurs.
Who knows what pitches we will get !! A photo posted by Mark Cuban (@mcuban) on
He’s best known as the owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, but he also owns Magnolia Pictures and Landmark Theatres.
Follow his Instagram @mcuban for a look at how he manages to balance his personal and work life. What’s even more inspirational is that you can see Mark Cuban is always focusing on his own health and fitness, despite his busy schedule. It’s easy to see his extreme dedication to the things he loves.
#12. Remote Year
Remote Year is a project that unites more than 75 digital nomads — or solopreneurs — across the globe to work, travel and explore up to 12 cities around the world.
The Instagram account is the dedicated sharing stream of all the “nomads” who are chosen to participate. You’ll see an eclectic mix of fun and adventurous posts to inspirational messages. If you’re interested in taking your work on the road and traveling while you work, this is a great account to check out! Make sure you pay a visit to @remoteyear.
#13. Luis Rocha
Luis Rocha is a photographer and web developer, and he also happens to be incredibly successful.
ˢᴼ ᴹᴱ ᴾᵁᵀ ᴵᴺ ᵂᴼᴿᴷ ᵂᴼᴿᴷ ᵂᴼᴿᴷ ᵂᴼᴿᴷ ᵂᴼᴿᴷ A photo posted by L U I S R O C H A (@luisrochaphoto) on
Unlike some of the other accounts on this list, his is more personal. You’ll see a lot of his personal experiences and life, and his love for sneakers — he collects them. However, you’ll also catch a glimpse of his hard work and motivational ideas.
Check out Luis at @LuisRochaPhoto.
#14. One Woman Shop
This Instagram account is run by two “co-conspirators,” Christina and Sara, responsible for the official One Woman Shop site. The entire purpose of their page is to create and nurture a community of solopreneur women that can interact and engage with one another.
As their site tagline reads: “Going it alone shouldn’t feel lonely.”
The Instagram account serves as an additional resource hub, highlighting women who are focused on building their solo businesses. What makes it particularly interesting is that Sara and Christina are not responsible for the bulk of the content on the account. They actually allow other solopreneurs to take over and show what’s it like to spend a day in their shoes. Through @onewomanshop, you get the chance to see how not just one business is run, but many. How’s that for inspiration?
#15. Timothy Sykes
Talk about building something from nothing, Timothy Sykes took $12,415 in penny stocks and turned it into over $4.2 million. That backstory alone is enough inspiration for any solopreneur. He now travels the world and teaches others how to do what he did — invest successfully.
I like to look back at photos from my travels to remind myself, and now I post them on #social media to remind you, that the world is a big, beautiful place that deserves to be explored and enjoyed with your friends and loved ones! #ilovetravel #ilovemyjob #knowledgeispower #travelbug #travelawesome #bestvacations #phuket #sripanwa #jewswithviews A photo posted by Timothy Sykes (@timothysykes) on
His Instagram account is a live journal of his travels, experiences and daily life. Much of his content serves as a reminder of what you could have if you keep up your hustle. He also posts a lot of helpful messages and content you can apply to your own business.
Sykes is also a regular contributor to Entrepreneur.
Be sure to visit him at @TimothySykes.
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#16. Location Rebel
The new Location Rebel Instagram account was just launched this week, and it features inspirational quotes, great travel photos and some of the coolest places all over the world that LR community members have worked.
Use the hashtag #locationrebel and to tag photos of your “offices” from around the world to be featured.
Check out the account at @locationrebel
Instagram Inspiration Is All Around
Being a solopreneur can be tough, but with the help of fellow solopreneurs, you don’t have to go it alone. Use these Instagram accounts for inspiration and insight to keep your creative mojo and success flowing in your solo venture.
This is a guest post from Kayla Matthews is a productivity blogger based out of Pittsburgh, PA. You can read her latest posts by following her on Twitter @KaylaEMatthews.
Guest Post
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Great set of examples in this post, Kayla. You’re inspiring me to give it a try.
I have a pretty intellectual subject area, but I think I’ve got a few ideas now how to make it rock for people. Thanks! 🙂
Some awesome accounts to follow here Kayla. I’ve added a few to my instagram. It’s my one social media account that I use mostly for fun, but I’m slowly growing a following without quite meaning to! I have followed location rebel, of course, already, and will start tagging a few of my ‘offices’ with locationrebel shortly 😉