what do you have to lose?

Ten years ago today, an all-boys boutique opened its doors in downtown Fishers, Indiana–it was the first store of its kind (and I’m not sure if any brick-and-mortar all-boys boutiques exist anywhere else). I happen to have some insight into this successful store because my wife started it and still runs it to this day.

I can remember when she came up with the idea to start a store for boys’ clothing; the idea was organic. With two boys of our own at the time, we were both not fans of traditional boys’ clothing and had found some small brands that carried clothes more aligned with our style. Ang began to notice that whenever we were in public with the boys, we’d get compliments and questions about where we got their outfits.

The idea was born.

Ang began researching how to start a retail store, reaching out to brands to learn about wholesaling, and curating the brands she wanted to carry in her store. As excited as we were about her idea, not everyone she spoke with was. Many of the brands and vendors she spoke to advised her to carry girls’ clothing as well because an all-boys store wouldn’t make it alone–for some people, that doubt would have caused them to second-guess their idea and maybe even pivot away–after all, these were “experts” working in the children’s retail space.

But not Ang. If you tell her she can’t do something, she will prove you wrong–and prove them wrong she has.

When she first had the idea, Ang didn’t have the confidence in the business as she did when those vendors told her that her idea wouldn’t work. We talked through her self-doubt, the risks, and other reasons she thought maybe she shouldn’t move forward. I ultimately was able to help her realize she didn’t have anything to lose. In a worst-case scenario, she’d find out parents don’t really care about dressing their sons in trendy clothes. If that were the case, she’d sell everything at cost and be out of the money spent to fix up the space, some of the materials, and some registration fees—the worst case scenario would be a loss of a little money and a slightly bruised ego.

What did she have to lose? Not much.

And what do you have to lose chasing that idea or dream you’re sitting on?

If you really break it down, probably not much, either.

Actually, you do have a lot to lose—you’ll never know if you could have done it. You’ll have to live your life wondering “what-if?” which might cost a lot in the form of peace of mind, happiness, and fulfillment.

So you do have a lot to lose, but not in the way you probably thought–it’s not about the money or a bruised ego; it’s about losing the opportunity to pursue something you felt called to do and knowing you did your best, regardless of the outcome.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC