Start Anyway: Why Taking the First Step Is the Hardest, and Most Important Part of Success

Starting something new is rarely easy. Whether it’s launching a business, changing careers, or taking a risk on yourself, the beginning is often filled with uncertainty. People might question what you’re doing or try to convince you to stay where it’s “safe.” They might mean well, but their doubts can easily become the loudest voices in your head if you let them.

However, I’ve learned over the years that the only thing worse than starting and struggling is never starting at all.

Once you start, taking that leap into the unknown, you give yourself a chance to succeed. You give yourself permission to fail, learn, pivot, and grow. You discover what you’re capable of, what drives you, and what really matters to you.

When I graduated from college, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. Like many new graduates, I felt a mix of excitement and confusion. I wanted to make a difference, but I didn’t have a clear roadmap. I ended up moving back home to rural Vermont, where opportunities were limited. There weren’t any big firms hiring. There weren’t endless networking events or bustling coworking spaces. All I had was time. Time to think. Time to learn. Time to start building something, even if I didn’t yet know what that “something” would become.

Learning from a Blank Slate

During that quiet year, I started teaching myself graphic design. I didn’t have a fancy computer setup and only some formal training, but I had curiosity (this was before YouTube tutorials too). I’d spend hours designing simple logos, flyers, and websites, learning not just how to create something visually appealing but also how to tell a story through design.

Eventually, I decided to turn that passion into a business. I dreamed of becoming a website designer, helping small businesses look professional online. I secured a small business loan, something I was incredibly proud of at the time, and started offering my services locally.

While that might sound like a success story in itself, it didn’t go exactly how I envisioned. The market in rural Vermont wasn’t quite ready for digital design services at the time. Many businesses either didn’t have websites or didn’t see the need for them. I found myself working hard, but often swimming against the current.

But here’s the thing, that first business taught me more than any job ever could.

I learned about client communication, marketing, and managing expectations. I learned how to budget, price services, and network with other entrepreneurs. Most importantly, I learned how to get back up when things didn’t go as planned.

Even though that venture didn’t turn into my lifelong career, it gave me the foundation for everything that came after. It was my first taste of entrepreneurship, and my first realization that “failure” often looks a lot like growth in disguise.

Redefining What Success Means

A few years later, I launched my first successful business which was a handmade and fair-trade jewelry and hair accessory brand. This time, I combined creativity with something that had heart and meaning. I loved the process of designing pieces, sourcing materials, and connecting with artisans and customers from all over the world.

It wasn’t a million-dollar business, but it was deeply fulfilling. My work was featured in a few international magazines, which, at that point, felt like validation that all those long nights learning, experimenting, and dreaming were worth it.

For me, that business was a success not because of how much money it made, but because it reflected who I was becoming, a creative, resilient, and purpose-driven entrepreneur.

But even then, I knew I couldn’t stop there. I still had bills to pay and dreams that were bigger than any single business idea.

So, I began working in the nonprofit sector as an Outreach and Development Coordinator. I didn’t expect to fall in love with the work, but I did. Helping organizations secure funding for causes that mattered gave me a sense of fulfillment that went beyond personal achievement. I realized that the same creativity and determination I used to build my own business could also help others achieve their missions.

Starting Over, Again

Fast forward to June 2025, I found myself starting over again, this time out of necessity. Life circumstances shifted, and I needed a way to continue supporting my family while using my skills and staying aligned with my purpose.

That’s how Fuel and Inspire was born, a company that blends strategy, storytelling, and funding to help nonprofits and entrepreneurs grow.

Starting again wasn’t easy. In fact, it was terrifying at times. Everyone had an opinion, about how I should structure my services, how much to charge, what kind of clients to work with, and what “success” should look like. While some of that advice was helpful, much of it was noise.

When people see a spark in you, a confidence or courage that challenges the status quo, they’ll often push back, even unintentionally. They’ll test your conviction. However, here’s what I tell myself and my clients all the time, “don’t let other people’s fears become your limits.”

Every entrepreneur I’ve met, from artists to founders to nonprofit leaders, has faced this moment. That moment when you question if it’s worth it. When you wonder if you’re crazy for believing in your vision. When it feels like everyone else has a plan except you.

Those are the moments that shape you the most because being an entrepreneur isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about trusting that you’ll find them.

The Real Work Behind “Starting”

One of the biggest misconceptions about entrepreneurship is that the hardest part is starting. But the truth is, starting is just the first test. The real challenge comes in staying consistent when things get hard, when motivation dips, and when self-doubt creeps in.

Over the years, I’ve learned that even rest has purpose. Sometimes, a day off isn’t lost, it’s a reset. When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re always learning, even when you think you’re standing still. You’re collecting ideas, observing patterns, and noticing what works (and what doesn’t) in others’ journeys.

Growth doesn’t always look like progress on paper. Sometimes it’s mental clarity, confidence, or the courage to try again after a setback.

And when you stick with it long enough, you begin to see the rewards. The small victories start adding up like the first client, the first grant, the first “yes” after a hundred “no’s.” Those moments remind you why you started in the first place.

The Joy in the Journey

I can honestly say that being an entrepreneur has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has stretched me in ways I never imagined, professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of faith in something bigger than myself.

Every time I’ve started something new, it’s opened doors I couldn’t have predicted. I’ve met people who inspire me, learned skills that push me forward, and seen dreams grow roots because I was willing to take that first shaky step.

So, if you’re standing at the edge of something new, whether it’s launching a business, writing a book, going back to school, or simply changing direction, start anyway.

You don’t need to know exactly where it’s going. You just need to know that standing still won’t get you there.

Because the moment you begin, you shift from “I wish” to “I will” and that choice to start can change everything.

A Final Thought

There will always be people who don’t understand your journey, and that’s okay. Not everyone is meant to see your vision before it becomes real. Someday, they’ll look back and realize why you had to take that leap of faith and when they do, they might just be inspired to take one of their own.

So today, take that first step no matter how big or small. Learn, grow, fail, rise, and repeat because even in the hardest seasons, you are building something that matters and that, to me, is what success truly looks like.

Ready to Start Your Own Journey?

At Fuel and Inspire, I help entrepreneurs, creatives, and nonprofits turn vision into action through storytelling, funding, and strategy. Whether you’re building your first business or growing a mission-driven organization, you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re ready to take the next step, or even just talk through your idea, book a free 15-minute consultation at www.fuelandinspire.com. Let’s take that first step together because your spark deserves to shine!

Curious about fundraising? Check out this blog: How Fundraising Works: Building Sustainable Support for Your Mission