You have a class, a product, a service you want to launch but you just don't possess the confidence to start. I know, I was there, but I did it and even launched two companies. Let me share with you my secret.
1. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
It was October 2019 and I had moved from the UK to the US, got married and so I was already dealing with a lot of change. Then came Covid-19. People were losing their lives, others their livelihoods, and in this climate I was attempting to find myself a job. I wasn't hearing anything and so I thought, why not just do it for myself? This was after all NY. If you make it here you can make it anywhere. So I started out by viewing this challenge as an opportunity to do something I was actually passionate about...my people. I researched how I could support black and brown women, as a leader and help them to fulfill their potential. This led me to Life Coaching and following research and supportive discussions, as well as training courses, I launched Pinkage Coaching.
A natural progression for me was to incorporate my graphic design skills in assisting clients in their business endeavors and their marketing across multiple social media platforms. This has brought me to The Studio AYC. This was all so scary for me, but I realized that I just needed to get going. I would improve and be better later. I just needed to get started. I gave space for my fears, I honored my feelings but I affirmed to myself that I can do it. I listened to my loving community of family and friends when they offered suggestions, and supported my goals. So here is my first suggestion to you:
Acknowledge your fear to start a business, it is perfectly natural. Discuss your fears with a mentor or write them out. Get them out of your mind and body because you need that space for inspiration and creativity to shine through.
2. Do Your Research
It is a scary thing to go out on your own, but you are not alone in that. There are so many doing the same thing as you and feeling the same way. However, doing the right research gives you a strong foundation on which to start. Don't worry about social media first, that comes last. Find a community and free local resources such as the Harlem Business Alliance and NY Gov website and research how to launch a business. Research whether or not you need a sole proprietorship or a LLC. Look at companies such as LegalZoom to do it all for you if you don't feel confident enough to do it on your own.
3. Find Your Purpose
Your purpose should be bigger than your service, your class or your product. Your purpose will be the driving force in those times you are mentally and emotionally exhausted, when things don't seem to be going your way. Your purpose is a greater motivation than money and maintains the authenticity of your brand. I created a vision board of my purpose for Alicia Young-Collins LLC. My purpose is supporting and advocating for black and brown women in their life's goals, which includes launching their own brand. That doesn't mean my businesses exclude any other types of clients but it is a strong and clear purpose for me.
I keep this vision board live on my desktop as a wallpaper so when I am doubting myself or going through an episode of imposter syndrome, I can fortify my emotions and refocus.
If you feel you need the support, reach out. I'm here to help and I want to see you win!
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