The Power Of Starting | Founder Thoughts
There’s only one guarantee in life: we’re here now, but that one day, we’re going to die.
I don’t say this to shock, but shake you. Because it’s true. We spend (or waste) a big chunk of time overthinking things. Especially when we’re considering starting our own business. There are many “what ifs” running around your head, for many reasons. And that’s ok. It’s all part of the process. And what I’ll share with you is my thought on the power of starting— coming from someone who has started AND restarted a few times.
If I had listened to my fears (and other people’s fears along with mine), chances are I would not be here writing this to you right now. And by here, I mean living where I’m living, writing in my second language, and working with something I did not predict.
When I started my first official business (I did do a few things on my own before that), I had zero clue on what I was doing, where to begin, how marketing works. But I was crystal clear on why I had to do it, and convinced that the worst that could happen would be me going back to my previous job. I’m glad I sat my buns down and started researching. I committed right there to the power of starting and figuring out as you go.
Last year, before my 32nd birthday, I decided to become a filmmaker/producer/director/photographer. All those things that involve a camera and creativity. All that without going to film school, in fact, without going to any school. I let myself take this road, trusting and committing to the power of starting again. This time, with a whole new collection of insecurities and more challenges. Also a bigger investment, which made me think many times if would be worth it, if I was worth it.
You see, the things we tell ourselves have such a powerful force. And it can either take us higher or drag us really low. And as much as I let myself go down, I also wouldn’t be here writing this to you if I had given up on what ended up becoming a dream.
And I’m here. Filming, photographing, sort of directing, writing, and learning as I go. With no guarantees of where this path will take me, but in the end the one thing I’m sure I’ll be able to say is “at least I tried.”
I hope you do, too.
Xo,
Izabelle Azevedo
(Founder of Red Skirt Media)
