“You can’t build a reputation based on what you plan on doing.”

“You can’t build a reputation on what you plan on doing.”

What a cracking phrase! Its something I hear time and time and time again and its so frustrating. People with amazing business ideas that they’re ‘going to do…’.

So what’s stopping you?

Money?

Time?

Imposter Syndrome?

My response to all of these is that you will find a way. You will find the money. You will find the time. And you will find your confidence.

Two whole years

When I started my photography business back in 2010 I was working full time in a completely different field. I edited in the evenings after work. I did my admin at weekends and first thing in the morning when I was commuting on the train. I designed press ads and wrote blogs before I went to sleep at night. And I did this for two years. Yes you read that right. TWO WHOLE YEARS. Before I made the leap and became a full time photographer.

And I’m not going to lie to you. Running your own business is hard. Really hard. And the pandemic was a bitch. The hangover from which is the gift that keeps giving.

But I took imperfect action and I am where I am today because of it. My life is perfectly imperfect!

This is brave I know and not everyone is naturally wired this way. I’m not if I’m honest. I get massive imposter syndrome and I’m actually an introvert who is very good at being an extrovert when I need to be.

Are you a perfectionist?

But what happens if you’re a perfectionist?

You plan. You procrastinate. You find excuses. You say you’re not ready. This will never change.

Believe me; I’ve been there and got the t-shirt (several times!). The perfect time never comes. You have to jump in feet first and swim.

The fear never goes away but every success brings a metaphorical deposit in the confidence bank in readiness for a rainy day.

Everything starts from nothing.

I found these silver grey soft as velvet pods in the garden when I was tidying up the wisteria for the winter months. I asked on my favourite gardening socials page how long they would take to grow and apparently seven years approximately before they flower. So I’m going to give it a go! Why not hey? In seven years I’ll either have an amazing home grown wisteria from a plant already established in my garden or I will have decided on something else to go in that gap. Either way it will be a success and I’ll be glad I gave it a go.

So give it a go.

You will find the money.

You will find the time.

And you will find your confidence.

There’s nothing that makes me happier than working with businesses, female founders and entrepreneurs and seeing them succeed. Its the best feeling in the world.