Your Startup is Just as Good!

I attended an eWomenNetwork event panel discussion last week. During this discussion, Sally Hughes, president and CEO of Caster Connection, Inc., an industrial products distributor, recounted a moment during her startup life that I would like to share with you.

Sally recalled what her mentor and friend had told her upon first starting her business. She had been given an opportunity to talk to an industry leader on the phone. When she finally got on the phone, she couldn't find her "voice" and commenced to shaking, and stuttering on the phone. After the call, her mentor came back to the room and asked her, "exactly WHO do you think you were talking to?" And then in words not exactly these she said, "remember that this man puts on his pants the SAME way you do."

Sally Hughes advice to the group was to continuously remind yourself, "I'm as good as everybody else out there!"

I could relate to her as she told this story. I've been there, done that. I already have a small soft voice, but it somehow manages to get smaller, more kiddish when I'm talking to an experienced entrepreneur that I admire. And you know what comes across? This unsure, insecure, person. Everything I'm not. However, the person in front of me can easily miss that because of my "misplaced awe."

I've told myself this over and over, and I've started to live it, so I'll tell you the same. Get over it! Get over yourself! Your startup is more than you, it's not ONLY about you, so act like it!



About the Author: Cheryl Isaac is the writer of this blog and a Startup Business Planner & Owner of Isaac Business Services, The Business Startup Company. Her company also offers "At-your-own-pace" business plan writing services for new businesses via: The12MonthBizPlan.com