Be courageous and take the leap!

Behind every inspiring business, is a founder with a big idea who decided to give it life.

Anyone can be anything. At least that’s what some people were told when they were young. Born into an encouraging family who told them to always shoot for the stars.

Then there’s people who spend a good portion of their life wondering whether they can justify chasing their dreams, are worthy of pursuing their passions, and are capable of actually making it work. Many choose to discard their dreams in return for a sense of safety or security. Deep insecurities hold them back from acknowledging their greatest strengths, and that denial slowly kills their passionate spark until it fades like the warm glow of a dying sparkler.

Those that start in this mindset may reach a point when they push back against their doubts, fears, and worries, through to the other side. Tuning back into themselves to seek out a way to merge fulfillment with a career that aligns with their heart. Slowly stroking the embers of the roaring fire that once fueled their big dreams by pursuing their passions and exploring joyful moments.

Lately I’ve been working on a few projects that scare the hell outta me. Despite the fear of failing, I’ve taken the leap just like the cliff jumper featured below. There’s been a rush of excitement at the start followed by a rapid succession of anxious thoughts wondering if I should have stayed on solid ground.

Let’s dive deeper, shall we?

Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash

Identify what’s holding you back.

Oftentimes when an idea scares me, I have to turn inwards to determine what’s weighing me down. Was it a hurtful comment made years ago? A limiting belief that I subconsciously believe to be true? Maybe it stems from the deeply rooted fear of failure or of being disliked.

No matter what it is, I’ve found that investigating that initial block helps me move forward with less tension. My favorite way to work through these times of uncertainty is to spend time in nature. I sit, observe, and be present in the moment. Clarity comes when we give answers space to call out.

This time of introspection looks different for everyone, so I encourage you to think about where you feel the most calm and start exploring spaces for reflection from there (I’ve found it helps to find a place outside of your typical work environment).

I’ve had enough conversations to know that most people never feel fully ready to pursue their dream. You just have to be brave enough to continue taking steps in the right direction (even especially when you’re scared).

What can you learn from taking the risk?

I’ll be honest in saying that the entrepreneurial path is not easy, but I believe it to be worth it. I can confidently say that I’ve learned more about myself while building my business than I have in any full time role. You challenge yourself in new ways, and learn how to wear more hats than a graphic designer in 2025 (if you know you know). As you grow, you uncover your greatest strengths and your weaknesses too.

You might learn what you prioritize most in life, what motivates you, and what you makes you uncomfortable. You will also learn about what inspires you to be better, what makes you bubble over with joy, and what kinds of collaboration you enjoy most. Obstacles, challenges, and roadblocks will tempt you back to “safety” or towards someone else’s dream. They might show up in the form of financial pressure, a bad client or collaboration, or a new opportunity. You’ll learn to listen to your gut instinct, see the red flags, and make confident decisions without thinking twice.

Every business has it’s own story, it’s own reason for beginning, and it’s own idea of what success looks like. Don’t let anyone tell you there is only one way forward and make sure you only work with a coach or mentor who respects your perspective.

As a business owner, founder, CEO, or leader in any capacity we get the honor of paving the way for better. We can step back from what’s been done to create new ways to collaborate. We can celebrate our community and build a business that supports it. We can be part of the change, slowly creating a world that we believe in.

Where to start when you do…

At the beginning of my business journey I wish I would have asked for help. Aside from having one or two conversations with a local business mentor about how to get the paperwork sorted, I set out all on my own. It was scary, my growth was slow, and I often felt discouraged. If I were to start from scratch today, I’d seek out support right from the start.

Identify the areas that are likely to take the most time or cause the most stress and prioritize working with people who can help you work through them. The reduced mental load will allow you to stay focused on your goals.

Support looks different for everyone. You might hire an interior designer to help you craft the perfect customer experience. Maybe you want to work with a coach or mentor to walk you through your latest challenge. Or perhaps you want help with something more specific: a web designer to build your website, a bookkeeper to handle spreadsheets, or a lawyer to make sure you are protected.

Things to get sorted early on:

• Create a clear plan (relevant for business and big career changes)

• Organize behind the scenes (your processes, internal systems, spreadsheets etc.)

• Identify your why (this will keep you going when things get tough)

• Shift your mindset around growth and experimentation (in business and in life, perceived failures help us learn)

• Set goals (short-term, long-term, lifestyle, income, etc.)

You don’t have to know everything when you set out in a new direction, but having a rough plan in place helps you stay focused and celebrate even the smallest moments of progress.

Side Note: I also wish that I would have started a business journal early on to keep track of my progress and look back to see how far I’ve come. Having a tangible record of milestones would be fun to look back on.

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If you are looking for something to support you as you are finding your footing, I highly recommend

Angela Ellison

’s new Sustainable Business Growth Mini-course. Unlike many other business courses and coaching sessions, Angela gently guides you forward by inviting you to turn inwards. By the end you may feel a sense of calm and clarity like I did or maybe have a list of new ideas to put into action (at your own pace) with a plan to get there.

PS. This is not an affiliate link, I just finished the course on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed listening through each module. Even with a few years into business myself I found that there was much to reflect on.

Quick recap

If you’ve been holding off on that big idea that keeps you up at night or that business venture that brings a twinkle back to your eyes, I encourage you to reconsider.

Take some time to slow down, reflect, and take a few small steps towards that dream of yours. If I can build something worthwhile, I have no doubt that you can too.

And if you feel called to tell someone about that dream of yours, leave a comment down below. I’m always a willing cheerleader for fellow dreamers! :)

Studio Updates

I want to take a few seconds to apologize for my absence here—there’s been good reason, I promise.

It’s been a busy couple of months with passion projects coming to life, new leads, branding projects, and Sprout clients booked. I’m feeling quite proud about my business lately. The last few years of nurturing relationships, creating a solid referral network, and refining my process and systems is starting to lead to new growth. I’m feeling an energy around my entrepreneurial drive that I haven’t felt in some time, and I have to believe that part of that is due to pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

Two things I’m excited to share about from the month of June:

1. I launched a podcast with my friend and talented cohost,

   Damion Rowe
   . It’s called Behind the Creative Curtain; we will be shining a light on creatives to hear about their process, career journey, and thoughts that keep them up at night.
   
   We are building from where we are now, showing our growth as you listen along. It’s raw, it’s honest, and unmistakably human.
   
   We’ve begun scheduling guests for upcoming episodes—if you’re a creative and interested in joining us on the show, let’s connect. And if you want to be the first to hear new episodes, I encourage you to give us a follow on your favorite streaming platform.
   

2. I landed my first five figure project!!!!! I’ve worked on large projects before, but they were subcontracted through other agencies. This is the first I will be directing on my own while collaborating with a local web design colleague. Since I negotiated the contract as well, I suppose you could say this rebrand project led to my first hire as well. Kinda wild!

   

Currently, I’m wrapping up an ice cream branding project (dream client, check), launching a new Sprout client project, continuing on the large rebrand project, and preparing a few proposals for upcoming opportunities. There’s a lot to be grateful for right now and I’m relishing in this busy season.

Aside from business, June gave us the opportunity to hang with a couple of our dearest friends from college, taking the time to show them some of our favorite local spots: Powell’s Books, Thousand Acre Dog Park, and the Columbia River Gorge to name a few. Some of our favorite memories throughout our time in the Pacific Northwest have been formed while showing our friends and family from the Midwest around our new home. It’s truly a magical place with inspiration in every direction.

I also did a bit of unexpected pet sitting (goats included), wildflower picking, and berry eating with Finn halfway through our hot summer walks. It’s been a good start to summer and I’ve been finding many moments to get outside and soak up the sun.

All that to say, I’m gonna continue pursuing my big ideas and building a business rooted in respect and honest collaboration. It’s not about being an overnight success or chasing vanity metrics, the business I’m building is deeper than that. Instead, aiming for long-term, sustainable growth that allows me to continue working with and providing design support for clients long into the future.

I also want to acknowledge that everyone doesn’t have the same opportunities in life and it may be a steeper climb for some more than others. Our paths are all winding in different directions, presenting us with varying levels of obstacles, while we continue to follow the call of our hearts. You might decide to make a big change as you step into a second career, or maybe you’ve already started laying the foundations of a new business. Wherever you are, whatever you’re longing for, I hope that you know your dreams are possible too.

Wishing you a month full of courage to take the leap!

Until next time,
Renee