From Fear to Freedom: Building a Business That Matters
The Fear That Holds You Back
There are so many incredible business ideas that never see the light of day. Why? Because of fear. Fear of failure. Fear of being found out as an imposter. Fear that you don’t know enough or aren’t ready. Many people wait for everything to be perfect before starting, but here’s the truth: the perfect time to start is NOW.
If you give yourself too much time to think, you’ll talk yourself out of it. Others might too. You’ll never be 100% ready because your small business dream is a work in progress.
Starting Small: My Humble Beginnings
I didn’t start The Marketplace with a perfect plan. I started by doing one small show—Christmas in Davidson in 2010. I cringe when I think about how I set up my first table. It was crowded with kitenge products and far from ideal. But guess what? People loved the stories behind the products and bought them anyway.
The next year, I came back with a pegboard. Marginally better, but still not great. That year, our sales doubled. By 2012, my pastor encouraged me to turn this idea into something bigger. The Marketplace was born in a small church store and grew into something I could never have imagined.
Learning as You Go
I didn’t know how to use social media when I first started, but I learned so I could bring my followers on the journey with me. I didn’t know how to run a store, let alone a mobile fashion truck, but I figured it out. Along the way, I built a community of people who loved our mission so much that they became our marketing team.
By leaning into the calling I felt from the Lord, The Marketplace grew beyond my wildest dreams. We hit $1,000,000 in sales before our fifth anniversary. But the most meaningful impact wasn’t the sales—it was the lives we touched.
The Power of Community and Storytelling
One person can’t change the world alone, but one person with a committed community can make a huge difference. Together, we empowered artisans with dignified jobs, rescued women from trafficking, funded literacy programs, and helped rebuild communities around the world.
Your story is what connects people to your business. It’s what makes your brand unique and your community engaged. There’s no stopping a business with a mission and a supportive community behind it.
Your Adventure Starts Now
Your small business dream is your adventure. It will have its hard moments and its incredibly sweet ones. But you’ll never know the joy of the journey if you don’t start.
You don’t have to wait until you feel ready. You’ll learn as you go. Share your story—it’s the most powerful tool you have to connect with your audience and build your community.
If you need help sharing your story, I’d love to help you get started.