Hello Roses,

I’m going to try and describe a feeling. It’s a feeling I’ve had for quite a while now and I’m sure many entrepreneurs will understand, providing I articulate it properly.

It’s not uncommon to refer to your business as your child (not that I have a child) but apparently the feeling is similar. You want only the best for it and you want it to thrive under any circumstances. You’re worried about it when it isn’t quite right and you want it to one day take flight and fend for itself.

Because my business is so early (pre-launch), I haven’t quite got a child yet. I know what you’re thinking – I’m in pregnancy stage, which I kind of am but it doesn’t feel like that. I think it’s because when you are pregnant, you know exactly when you will have your child. In my situation, I don’t know how long things will take. I could launch in the next year, it could take me three more years…who knows. This is the feeling I’ve been battling with for years. The feeling of wanting the world to see what I have to offer because I know it has the potential to be amazing, but not quite being ready. I refer to it as being ‘slow cooked’ which is a good thing because I have been able to look into the brand a lot more and make connections that others may not have had the time to do. However, it is frustrating. In the pit of my stomach I get a hurling knot when I or someone I know discovers a competitor producing or solving the same problem. For a split second I think it’s all over, that someone has beaten me to it. But then I remember that what we have planned, is bigger than the product itself (despite that, our product is also way better!) and I am creating a brand. A brand to be synonymous with pride, achievement and style. I also try and remember that quote “No one is you, and that is your power”.

The anxiety that this feeling produces I have learnt to live with because I don’t think it will leave until I have achieved my desired outcome. I’m sure I am not alone in this, many people must feel like they know their competence level and are unsatisfied until it has been reached whether that be in a career, a sport or a personal mindset. Going back to the child analogy, it’s like watching them in the school play knowing what level they can perform to (because they’ve done it at home in front of you) but not knowing if when they get onto that stage, they’ll freeze or not. However, I have to look at the alternative. Would I rather be in a position where I didn’t have anything to strive for? Would I rather feel like I’ve done everything in life I possibly can? Absolutely not. I would much rather have an unachievable goal than no goal at all.

If any other entrepreneurs are reading this and recognise the feeling, I am telling you, you are not alone. Keep going, it’ll get better (I hope!).

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Until next time,

Em x