I am an entrepreneur for almost 20 years which has given me a lot of intel and confidence about how to start and run a business. So, I wanted to share some of my experiences and help you overcome the fear that is associated with becoming a business owner.

But before I dive in, I like to give you some insight about what influenced & helped me become absolutely fearless when it comes to establishing businesses.

Setting up a path for entrepreneurship

Looking back at what made me decide to become and entrepreneur, makes me realize that there wasn’t a specific moment that opened my eyes, nor did I wake up one day with the idea of being a boss girl. In fact there were several events that lead me on the path of becoming a business owner.

After I finished business trade school I started working for a Staffing Firm. That Firm got me into a few really good companies like an Insurance company, AMG (a division of Mercedes Benz), and a Call center. The knowledge I gained from those companies over a span of one (1) year literally set me up for the adventures that were yet to come.

Although I was working in different sections of the corporate industry, I realize that my creativity wasn’t satisfied and therefore I never felt accomplished.

So, in my early 20’s I started focusing on putting energy into jobs I enjoyed doing, instead of just providing an income without feeling fulfilled.

I am a maker by heart, and one of my creative outlets during that time was nail design/art. After I had turned 18, I began to invest some of my income to learn the trade and become certified. By the time I turned 20, I had started working in a well established nail salon as an independent nail technician.

But, after a few months of growing success and client building, I was thrown under the bus by the greedy store owners who had tried to take clients away from me.

When to Know its Time to Invest into Your Dreams?

The day I found out that my clients were lied to while making appointments. Was the last straw that broke the camel’s back – and me becoming aware that some organizations are not trustworthy.

Therefore, the best option for me was to trust in myself, trust in the things I knew and put all energy into becoming an entrepreneur. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.

The moment you realize that it’s time to invest into your dream(s), will most likely look very different from mine, which is absolutely acceptable. I just wanted to help you becoming aware that there is no right or wrong time to start brainstorming about the possibility of self employment.

How to Conquer Your Fear of Starting a Business?

The feelings of uncertainty, fear, and self-doubt are all very real emotions that most entrepreneurs face when they consider the idea of starting their own business. I know, it’s scary. I’ve been there a number of times, the added pressure of providing income and proving to yourself and your family that your idea is worthy are very nerve wracking.

So, how do you overcome that fear and build a successful business? I personally believe its all about finding the courage to take that first step, wholeheartedly commit to your business idea and believe in yourself.

You can find a list of ways below to overcome some of the biggest mental roadblocks entrepreneurs face, and I will share a few inspirations from my personal journey.

1. Set Achievable Goals

This is probably the most important part of overcoming fear. But where do you even begin? There is an excessive amount of detail to think about and processes before you can dive into creation. Start by identifying what your overall mission for your company is, then build small achievable tasks that serve as stepping stones to reaching that mission.

Creating achievable small goals will not only make the company mission more digestible and less intimidating but will give you a good idea of where to actually begin.

2. Grow Your Community

Being passionate about your business is one of the greatest contributions to have, but it can only take you so far. Without financial stability your business will stall and the piles of bills will grow. Therefore, you should identify and build a community that is made of different groups — partners, investors and supportive customers — each will help you build a stable foundation for a successful business.

Here are a few options to start with:

1. Ask Relatives or Friends for Capital.
2. Apply for a Small Business Administration Loan | SBL & Grants for Veterans | Military Spouse Scholarship and Funding (I was granted $1000 in 2019 through the scholarship Mil Spouse Program for my Skincare business)
3. Consider Private Investors (10 Ways to Find Investors For Your Startup).
4. Contact Businesses in Your Field of Work.
5. Try Crowdfunding Platforms to Find Investors.

3. Invest Time & Effort Into Your Startup

You can’t build a successful business without pouring the majority of your time and energy into your new business. So, if you are wondering what will happen to your personal life and relationships? Let me tell you, it will not be easy! But with the right support system, running your business doesn’t have to be a hinderance on your personal life.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for every business and founder. As a longtime Blogger and founder of Sanbe Beauty, LLC, OhEverythingHandmade, TrueDreamNails, and BJohnsonJewelry — One of my fears was that I’d invest loads of time in something away from my children, and then not see it pay off.

Balancing work and family is such a personal decision for every entrepreneur, and I admire anyone that figures out what works for them. For me, it’s running the business mostly from home on my computer and in my in-house workshop so I can be with my kids during the week.

I truly hope I inspired you to even consider the idea of starting a business, and if I did, would you please share with me what business would you consider starting? You can also find me on Instagram and FB under @oheverythinghandmade.