Scrap that
Sophia Amoruso
Investing in winners at Trust Fund, NYT Bestselling Author, Serial Founder, Keynote Speaker. Returned the dress I wore on the cover of Forbes. ?? Pitch us at trustfund.vc ??
FOUNDER'S DIARY
Ah, the beauty of starting something. The initial spark, the passion, the ideation phase, information gathering, planning, deck building… I love it.?
And I do it in the open –– I hold my cards very far from my chest. They’re, like, visible at all times. Part of this is because I’m impatient and want feedback and am willing to share my often premature ideas to get it, but also because I just don’t have the energy to lie when someone asks what I’m up to lately.?
Over the past couple of months, I noodled –– and then I committed. I made a deck, circulated it among potential business partners, friends, and other folks, and announced to my network what I was doing. I was in the midst of spinning up bank accounts, legal documents, and getting buy-in from various parties.?
And then… I changed my mind. As I spoke to more people about the business I was about to embark on, I realized it wasn’t for me. It required a grind I’ve ground and am no longer willing to do. It required asking a lot of people for a lot of money and then managing those relationships. And, as you might have heard in the news, now is not the time to ask people for money.
领英推荐
And overnight, I scrapped it. After months of work, I walked away. I still have emails out to folks who think I’m pursuing that idea, and now I have to battle the embarrassment of saying “just kidding! I’m a lost soul!”.?
And while part of me feels like I failed before I even began, the bigger part of me is relieved that I didn’t get myself into something I ultimately wouldn’t have liked actually doing day to day.?
Because I know what happens when a business takes off –– you’re in it for a long ass time. This is all to say that I’m actually pretty proud of myself for turning back before it was too late, and for doing it even knowing I’ll look a little flighty to some people. And it was only because I was open about my idea that I was able to get real feedback from people who are doing the same thing.?
THE TAKEAWAY
Don’t be afraid to pivot or throw it all in the trash. It’s your life, it’s your time, and the right people will stick around to see your next moves.?
Freelance Graphic Designer at Fiverr
2 年wow''''' Sophia Amoruso
Senior Subject Matter Expert Gender Equality | Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) | Impact-driven entrepreneur | Lead Consultant The Smart Woman Consulting | Founder eco-luxury brand AFROA Beauty
2 年It requires a lot of courage and selfawareness to be able to make such decision. In the end, you did what was best for you. I applaud you Sophia Amoruso ??
Creative Director, Strategic Advisor & Investor
2 年Hell yea it is ????
Copy Editor
2 年I feel like we are all in the same boat, but just going through different waters. It's okay.
Retired career human resources director, avid reader, writer and property manager/owner.
2 年Yes - it is ok to change our minds! We do have to give ourselves permission to let go of something that doesn’t work for us. Thank you for sharing this post on changing course. You’ve helped affirm the decisions of others like me that have been in this position.