I am absolutely a designer first. I do and always have loved business, but not nearly as much as making great stuff.
It can be a bit of a right/left brain challenge to do everything in a company, but like many trained ID’rs I have a pretty good handle on process. Whether it be a design project or a business project, the ID process can be applied well.
Before getting my Masters in ID at Pratt, I studied Art and Small Business Management, so I’ve had some exposure. But learning on the job is much more comprehensive/real/challenging.