You want to start a business, but you’re scared. What are some ways to overcome that fear?

Overcoming the fear of starting a new business: 1. Accept fear as natural and use it as motivation. 2. Educate yourself about the industry and market. 3. Begin with small, manageable steps. 4. Set realistic goals to stay focused. 5. Seek support from mentors and peers. 6. Focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles. 7. Take calculated risks based on research. 8. Prioritize self-care to reduce stress. 9. Celebrate even small victories along the way. 10. Stay flexible and willing to adapt to challenges.

Entrepreneurship shines a light on our inner most fears, we truly see what we believe about ourselves, money & success. Combat any fears & hesitancy by focusing on your ideal market. You'll have an easier time getting your business off the ground if you start by answering the question: How will it benefit others? Next, get ultra specific with your market, take time to understand what they want & why. Since fear often comes from the unknown, you'll need to create certainty, you do that by adding structure. Work backwards from your vision. Give yourself quarterly, monthly & weekly goals. Commit to doing three tasks daily that move you closer to your monthly goal. Entrepreneurship is mental, squash any fears by connecting to your vision daily!

You should have fear about starting a business. If it doesn't scare you, it isn't worth doing. Any intelligent person would have concerns about the odds. But it has never been a better time to launch a viable business. More funding is available for people of color and women than ever before. You can take classes for free to learn more about the current market. And Gen-AI offers opportunities in areas we only dreamed of a few years ago. We need to stop pathologizing normal feelings. Self doubt is not a "syndrome." Fear is natural when you're starting something new and risky. It doesn't mean you lack confidence or have a bad idea. With guidance, a good financial plan, and lots of market research, I say, feel the fear and do it anyway!

Identifying your fears is like cleaning out your emotional closet. You might find some scary monsters lurking in the back (fear of failure), dust bunnies of doubt, and even a few moth-eaten worries about money. But once you see them all laid out, you can decide how to deal with them! Bonus Tip: Don't be afraid to talk to other entrepreneurs! Find a business mentor or join a startup group. Sharing your fears with others who have walked the path before can be super helpful. You'll learn they probably had the same anxieties, and they can offer advice on how they tackled those fears and turned their dreams into reality.

Look, I get it, diving into entrepreneurship can be terrifying. But here's the thing: fear is just a feeling, not a prophecy. That's where getting a coach comes in. Working on your mindset is key to unlocking your potential. Invest in personal development and surround yourself with people who believe in you. With the right support and a growth-oriented mindset, you'll conquer your fears and soar to new heights in your entrepreneurial journey.

1st: Research your idea. You may make great pies, but do you know how to lease heavy baking equipment, negotiate a warehouse lease, or hire reliable suppliers? A good product doesn't mean you have a good business model. 2nd: Get some solid market research that there is demand for your product or service, at a profitable price point and that the market is growing, not shrinking. Just because you and your friends like the idea, doesn't necessarily make it viable.

In 20+ years of coaching executives who've left corporate to launch their own gigs, I've never seen one that didn't have good advisors. There is simply too much to figure out to go it alone. Most successful business leaders have at least 1 person they speak with weekly to solve challenges and explore ideas. And research shows, the more money they make and the higher up they go, the more often they speak with their coach mentor. 1st: Get an accountant to help you structure your business cycle and tax planning. 2nd: Get a good business coach (trained) or a team of mentors (untrained) to serve as a sounding board--a kind of personal board of directors. Make sure they have experience with IPOs and other types of launches.

"Fear makes us careful. It is a good thing. But never let it paralyze you." --Dr. AJ Austin, The Resident, Epi 19, played by Malcolm Jamal Warner.

The more you learn about a thing, the less scary it seems. Start small and slow: Read lots about other businesses like the one you want to start. Find testimonials of similar entrepreneurs or talk directly to people who've started a similar business. Figure out what the first step would be to start your business, learn all about it, then do it. Do the same with the second step. Then the third. The further you get, the more confident you'll feel, and the less scary each successive step will be.

To overcome the fear of starting a business, it's important to acknowledge and address the underlying concerns while focusing on taking actionable steps forward. Start by breaking down the daunting task into smaller, manageable goals, allowing for a gradual progression. Seek support from mentors, peers, or entrepreneurship networks who can provide guidance, advice, and encouragement. Educate yourself about the industry, market trends, and successful business strategies to build confidence in your abilities. Embrace the possibility of failure as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey and view it as an opportunity for growth and learning.