As I’ve coached other creative women in business, there’s one thing that always seems to come up and it’s always some form of “I’m not qualified to this”.
In many careers that can be true if you don’t have a degree, aren’t licensed, or other qualifications.
For most creative professions, not having a degree isn’t what’s holding you back from moving towards your dreams. What is holding you back is something I could talk for days on (and varies person to person) but by and large, it’s some form of fear. Fear of failure or fear of success are the most common.
That isn’t to say that landing your dream job working for someone else won’t require a degree–but starting your own business doesn’t necessarily require it.
All the things I DIDN’T start with
- A photography degree
- Capital
- a real plan
- “followers”
- sustainable prices
- a fancy website
What I DID start with
In the spirit of transparency, I want to share what I DID have working for me:
- A marketing degree
- a supportive husband
- a creative eye
- people who like the photos I was taking
- a functioning website (at a time when few photographers HAD websites at all!)
Some will immediately see that marketing degree and think that’s what brought me success but let me be brutally honest: that degree was outdated within 6 months of graduating AND it didn’t actually help me market my micro business. It was all geared towards corporations with millions of dollars to spend on ads-something I never had. (and still don’t!)
It was helpful as I did learn some basic business stuff (like how to price things to at least break even and not lose money) but the $40,000+ I spent getting it would have been better spent elsewhere. (Or I should have gone to a cheaper school lol).
You don’t need all the things you think you do
Jennifer Grant
What do you need to start your business or grow it?
Since we’re all in unique positions I can’t answer that for you. Just know that you probably have one or more hurdles that you think are in the way but aren’t really, truly, the issue.
Chances are good that if you have a camera and people who like the photos you take, you’ve got a foundation to build a business that supports you! You still may need to learn how to price your services and products so you can make a living and you might need to gain the confidence to charge those prices but those are absolutely do-able!
I’m a pretty introverted person–I don’t like speaking up– and I’ve been able to overcome a ton of personal issues to find my way to my version of success, complete with ups and downs. 😉
If you’re dealing with that nagging feeling that you’re not “as good as” someone else or that you don’t know enough or that you need some fancy degree or a fancy site, or some other “not good enough” sort of thoughts, let me give you this: YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO START WHERE YOU ARE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE WITH WHAT YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW.
You may still have a lot to learn, real obstacles to overcome, personal growth that needs to happen but none of that needs to stop you from getting started.
If you’re feeling that creeping doubt that you don’t have what it takes and want to talk about it, I do offer 1 on 1 coaching sessions where I can help you get crystal clear on your next step to overcoming doubt and fear. Just drop me a line
What’s been your experience around starting your business? Drop your thoughts in the comments!