There’s a little voice that whispers to so many of us when we see someone succeed: They must have it all figured out. But let me tell you something—after 16 years of running my own business, I’ve never felt like I’ve reached some magical level of expertise. And honestly? I’m learning to be okay with that.
I’m not interested in being an expert. I’ve always seen myself as a fellow entrepreneur on this journey, figuring things out as I go—just like you. There’s something beautiful about embracing the process of learning, growing, and evolving without ever feeling the pressure to know it all. Let me share why showing up as our real, imperfect selves is the most powerful way to connect and grow.
We live in a world that idolizes the idea of the “expert.” There’s this constant pressure to prove ourselves, to showcase our credentials, to present a polished version of who we are. But here’s what I’ve learned:
No one—no matter how successful—has it all figured out.
Sure, there are things I’m really, really good at. There are systems I’ve mastered and strategies that have worked wonders for me. But for every strength, there are also areas where I’m still learning, still growing, and still figuring things out.
And those so-called experts we see on social media? They’re figuring things out too. They might not always show it, but the truth is that we’re all a work in progress. The learning never ends.
I’ve always felt more like the underdog. The odd one out. Maybe it’s the middle child in me. Even in my biggest moments of success, I’ve carried that feeling with me—that I’m just someone who decided to show up, give it a shot, and figure it out along the way.
And you know what? That’s what I love most about the work I do today.
I don’t want to be someone who stands on a stage, looking down at others with a “I know best” attitude. I want to be someone who walks alongside you. Someone who gets what it’s like to dream big, to stumble, to pivot, and to try again.
Because that’s what entrepreneurship is—it’s showing up, messy and imperfect, with a willingness to learn and grow.
Think about the people you connect with most. Are they the polished, flawless influencers who seem to have it all together? Or are they the ones who let you see behind the curtain—the ones who share their struggles, their lessons, and their human moments?
Authenticity resonates. Imperfection connects.
Whether you’re in the early stages of starting your business or ten years in and trying something new, we all share one thing in common: we’re figuring it out as we go.
It’s easy to look at others and assume they have a roadmap that we don’t. But here’s the truth—none of us have a perfect map. We have ideas, experiences, and lessons learned, but the path is unique for each of us. When we let go of the pressure to be an expert, we create space to:
- Be curious and open to new ideas.
- Embrace mistakes as part of the process.
- Connect with others on a human level.
And when we show up as we are—without the need to prove we have it all together—we give others permission to do the same.
If I’ve learned anything in my years of entrepreneurship, it’s that the most meaningful connections happen when we show up as our real selves.
I started my business because I loved the work. I loved connecting with people, sharing stories, and creating something meaningful. From my early days of being a photographer and connecting with my clients all the way to the days of building a CRM for business owners and helping them automate their businesses. And while I’ve built a lot of knowledge and experience over the years, I never want to lose that feeling of curiosity and humility.
I’ve found that the most impactful moments in my business haven’t come from trying to position myself as an expert. They’ve come from being real. From sharing my journey—the wins, the losses, and everything in between.
And sometimes, even I need to remind myself just how powerful that can be.
I’m just like you. I’ve had moments of doubt. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve celebrated wins and cried over failures.
I want you to know that you don’t need to be perfect to make an impact. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start. You don’t need to call yourself an expert to offer value.
What you need is a willingness to show up. To share your story.
And that’s more than enough.
The next time you catch yourself thinking, I’m not qualified enough. I’m not an expert. Who am I to do this?—pause. Take a deep breath. And remember: The world doesn’t need more experts. It needs more real, imperfect, human stories. It needs you.
You have something valuable to share—not because you have all the answers, but because you have a unique perspective, a story, and someone in the world who needs you to show up.
As the new year starts, one of my biggest goals is to show up more. Somewhere along the way, I started to believe that people only wanted to hear from experts—the polished, put-together voices who seemed to have it all figured out. But I’ve realized that’s simply not true. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking what we have to share isn’t good enough. But the truth? Maybe our imperfect, real stories are what people connect with most.
