My Leap of Faith: Determination in the Face of Fear

Determined.?

That one word describes every small business owner and entrepreneur I’ve met in my nine years as founding partner at CF Creative.?

And I get it. I feel it, too. You have to have tenacity and, let’s be honest, some audacity to start a business from the ground up.?

I founded CF Creative with my husband/partner, Dave, for the reason most people start businesses: Because I believe we have something valuable to offer others.?

Before CF Creative, I worked in the corporate world. I had fantastic positions at prestigious companies, but I got burned out. Not necessarily from the work — it was engaging, and I was always treated well — but from seeing others get treated poorly. I hated that.?

One day, I had a thought: What if I start my own business? I knew I loved writing, and I knew I wanted to support small and minority-owned businesses. And importantly, I wanted my business to treat collaborators exactly how I like being treated. I wanted to foster a collaborative and supportive environment for employees.

And while that was an inspiring goal —?one that is still at the core of my mission —?it didn’t stop me from being absolutely terrified to take the leap. Yes, Dave and I had each other. But taking the leap meant leaving a steady paycheck. It meant leaving a reliable and robust client base.?

Questions and anxiety plagued me.?

Would the business be sustainable??

Would I grow more with this new endeavor than if I stayed at my job??

What if the company didn’t make it?

Despite those doubts, we went for it. I didn’t let fear stop me.?

And almost 10 years later, CF Creative has helped hundreds of small businesses and entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses. And we’ve received some incredible accolades in the process, like our breakthrough moment in 2017 when the MBDA named us Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year. I’ve traveled to Beijing to work with corporations. I’ve been tapped as an expert speaker by one of my former companies. I’ve met Vice President Kamala Harris and Lady Cherie Blair.?

Back in 2014, I never would have imagined any of that was possible.?

But I want to be clear: Running a business is tough. I still have doubts and fears weekly, if not daily.?

Anyone considering starting a business needs to look at the pros and cons very realistically and very thoroughly. Some businesses are easier to scale than others. Every single business needs money to operate, to stay open, to grow.?

It’s ultimately up to every individual to know what they can and can’t risk — savings, relationships, holidays, time for oneself, time with family — and weigh it against the desire to build something of their own.

I’m grateful every day that I was able to become a version of myself that I never dreamed of.?

And I hope whatever leap you take, it brings you the same.?

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Conchie Fernández is Founding Partner at CF Creative (www.cf-creative.com), an agency that provides business growth, strategic content, and technical assistance consulting for small and minority-owned businesses, as well as the public and private sector organizations and companies that support them.