Every entrepreneur starts their journey with uncertainty but you can push through and start a business with confidence.

Entrepreneurship is often painted as a path to success, but many first-time entrepreneurs find themselves battling with a constant companion: self-doubt. This is especially true in the beginning stages when every step forward feels uncertain. If you’ve ever questioned your ability to start a business or worried about how others will perceive you, know that you’re not alone.

In this post, I’m going to share my story of how I faced those same fears, and how you, too, can push through doubt and build the confidence needed to thrive as an entrepreneur.

What is Confidence?

Confidence isn’t about being fearless. It’s about acknowledging your fears and still moving forward despite them. It’s a mindset that you can develop and strengthen over time. In the world of entrepreneurship, confidence means believing in your ability to learn, adapt, and grow. Even when things get tough.

The Struggles of Starting Out: A Personal Story

When I considered starting a small venture as a youth many years ago, doubts were my constant companion. I found myself thinking:

• “I’ll probably fumble talking to a potential customer.”
• “What if I embarrass my parents and siblings?”
• “Maybe they won’t take me seriously because I’m just 15.”
• “What if I deliver a flyer to someone who bullied me in school?”

Fear and self-doubt swirled in my teenage mind as I tried to find ways around having to market my services. I was good at what I wanted to sell – typing services – and I had my very own typewriter set up in my bedroom ready to go. I even had the skills to back it up; after all, I got straight A’s in my typing class in grade 9, typing 120 words per minute. I LOVED typing!

I would often fall asleep tapping my fingers on an imaginary keyboard on my mattress to the words that popped in my head. It wasn’t even the finished product that excited me – it was the process of transferring words and numbers to fingers that made my heart beat faster. But the idea of marketing myself and interacting with potential clients completely deterred me because I was afraid of people.

Finding Strength in Unexpected Places

One of my teachers at school found a couple of typing projects for me to do. But it was volunteer work, and it was limited. If I wanted more work, I had to get out there and find clients myself—something I wasn’t prepared to do. My self-doubt and fear of rejection took over, convincing me I wasn’t cut out for business.

My best friend ended up recommending me for a job where she worked, at a pizza joint, and it didn’t require an interview. I learned valuable skills in customer service. That job helped break through some of the doubts I had about myself. While my typing business never took off, that failure wasn’t the end. It was simply part of the process of learning what worked for me and what didn’t.

Taking Action Despite Doubt

Years later, I launched a completely different business as a professional accountant. Spoiler alert: I still had doubts, but this time they didn’t stop me. I still had plenty of room to develop more confidence, but time and experience helped me grow as a person, and this helped me move forward into entrepreneurship despite my fears.

If you’ve ever faced doubts and fears like I did, you’re not alone. Every entrepreneur—no matter how successful—starts their journey with uncertainty. But those doubts don’t have to define your journey. What matters most is how you overcome those doubts and move forward anyways.

5 Steps to Building Confidence

1. Start With a Clear Vision

A lack of clarity can amplify self-doubt. When you don’t know where you’re going, it’s easy to lose confidence in your ability to get there. The solution?
Start by defining your vision.

Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of your business?
• Who are you helping, and how?
• What will success look like in measurable terms?

While my typing idea severely lacked in the vision department, my vision as an accountant didn’t come to me for quite an amount of time after starting my practice. Getting that clarity required intentional thought and reflection, and it taught me the power of a focused vision. The foundation of confidence is that vision.

2. Take Action and Embrace the Learning Curve

Confidence doesn’t grow in the abstract—it develops through action. Even small steps forward can help reduce the fear of failure.

Here’s what happened with Sarah (name changed for privacy). She was a teacher transitioning into entrepreneurship and wanted to build an education platform. But she didn’t wait for everything to be perfect. She began by testing her ideas, and one way she did that was by hosting workshops for her target audience. Each small success bolstered her belief in her ability to make a difference.

Take this to heart: Progress doesn’t require perfection. Action, no matter how small, is where confidence starts. First take action, make some progress, and confidence will follow.

3. Surround Yourself with a Supportive Network

Entrepreneurship can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Seeking out mentors, peers, or like-minded communities can provide encouragement and practical advice.

When Sarah was feeling doubtful early on, conversations with potential partners were invaluable. They not only helped her clarify her vision, but also reassured her that struggling with uncertainty was normal. In addition, she joined a local entrepreneurship group where she connected with others who shared her journey.

Who can you lean on for support? If your network feels limited, be sure to explore online communities or attend local networking events to build relationships.

4. Reframe “Failure” as Feedback

Fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to confidence, but it’s often a misunderstanding. Failure isn’t the end—it’s feedback.

When I realized my idea for a typing business wasn’t going to work out, I saw it as personal failure, but I also felt immense relief because it clarified why self-employment made me feel so uneasy. It was a learning process and allowed me to appreciate the comfort and security I felt being under someone else’s wing. Sarah had a learning experience too when her first workshop had low attendance. Instead of giving up, she adjusted her marketing efforts and saw a significant improvement the next time.

Reframing failure this way turns it into a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.

5. Celebrate the Small Wins

Confidence is built one step at a time. Acknowledging your progress—even the small wins—reinforces the belief that you can succeed.

For Sarah, milestones like creating her first business plan and launching her website were moments of celebration. They weren’t massive achievements, but they signaled forward momentum. These days I keep myself motivated by celebrating whenever I complete a difficult task. And it gets me excited for the next win!

What small win can you celebrate today? Write it down, reflect on it, and let it fuel your confidence for tomorrow.

Conclusion

Every entrepreneur—including Sarah, myself, and you—starts their journey with doubts. It’s a universal part of the process. But those doubts don’t have to hold you back. By building a clear vision, taking action, seeking support, reframing failure, and celebrating your progress, you can cultivate the confidence to thrive.

Are you ready to take the first step toward your goals?

Download our free worksheet, “Your Roadmap to Confidence,” and start turning your entrepreneurial doubts into a powerful foundation for success.

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