So often the fear of starting a business comes from comparing ourselves to others. Where we are versus where they are. This stops us moving forward. I have had my own business for over 20 years now and still compare myself. When I see some of my fellow business owner friends succeeding in any area that I find daunting (social media), I come up short.
The Comparison Trap
It is so easy to compare ourselves and imagine we are less than and this imagining can keep us in the same place for years. We envisage others in a place further advanced from us and growing into where they are is scary so we stay in place. This comparison and the resulting hindering fear is our brain keeping us in our comfort zone. Our brain likes ‘safe’ and that means familiar. Stepping into unfamiliar territory can be terrifying. When I first started videoing myself for FB ads it was pretty nerve wracking but I tell myself, I want this business to work. Other people are doing it. So why can’t I?
A Family of Starters
I come from a family of business starters. When I was young, my parents had a friend who was working as a carpet cleaner for a company. He would have to use his car and petrol to drive all over Auckland, giving quotes and then he would get a percentage of the profits from paying customers.
My parents saw this, how their friend did all the work yet received such a small portion of the profits and thought, why not cut out the middle man?
So, they invested in a carpet cleaning machine. My brothers and I would draw pictures of dad and the machine that they would use for their marketing.
They ran this business right into the middle of my teens. After that, they did familiarization tours for foreigners considering moving to New Zealand, then mum created forestry maps for my uncle’s Forestry business while dad worked on those same hills culling goats. They eventually settled on creating vinyl cut signs for cars, shop windows and boats.
With this background, starting my own business wasn’t that big of a deal.
You just start.
I had a friend tell me she thought it was really brave to start my own business and it wasn’t something she could do. Due to my upbringing, owning your own business was never a big deal, if mum and dad could, then we could too. Both my brothers have had their own businesses too.
Starting Your Business Without Financial Fear
I remember talking with mum about a friend who started his own business and straight away had expensive cards printed, hired a graphic designer, and racked up costs before he had a single customer. I don’t think the business did well, and he had created debt from day one.
Mum and dad’s approach, and the one I have adopted, is to start minimally. Not meaning don’t buy what you need, but don’t buy what you don’t need.
My thought has always been to only spend money that is ok to lose. Meaning if the business goes belly up or never makes a dime, our family has not been put in jeopardy.
Removing the financial stress has taken away a lot of the fear of starting a business. Even now, I am aware of how much I am willing to spend on courses. I do invest when necessary – I have spent thousands on retraining and courses and I fully believe we need to be prepared to spend money to grow. But for my stress levels and peace of mind I only spend within our means.
Some elements in business we may find easy. Like I love learning new things. 2025 was a year of massive learning for me. I taught myself things I never imagined I could: course creation, AI, funnels, email automations, Pinterest strategy, website building, and starting a blog! My not knowing something doesn’t scare me the way it used to. I have proven to myself that I can figure almost anything out.
The Fear of Being Seen
But the fear of being seen is a different story. That’s in its own category. Something I have to remind myself is good enough is fine. Perfect doesn’t exist on social media and waiting for it means you’ll never start. When I have put things out there and they are less than ideal, that’s ok. I can do hard things. That includes videoing myself and posting it on social media.
Your First Steps
I so love having my own business and all the learning, experiences, growth, money, and freedom that comes with it. I want to encourage any woman who wants to do this for herself.
This is what my course Your First Steps is about.
Just starting.
Just take the first step and then the next one.
My free class covers the very first step when considering starting your own business and it’s one most women haven’t thought of, but it will shape everything that comes after.
It’s free and it takes about 30 mins.
Sign up here.
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