by Stephanie Bucklin
“Imposter syndrome is the greatest barrier to success. Not because it’s real—but because we believe it is.” – Unknown
Every visionary entrepreneur has likely heard the whisper of doubt: “Who am I to do this?” It’s the voice that questions our worth, our capability, our right to be seen and celebrated. For many, including myself, this voice showed up early. And it stayed longer than I wanted.
Seeds of Doubt: My Early Business Attempts
My entrepreneurial journey began in my teenage years, inspired by an underground zine culture that celebrated raw, unfiltered voices. I was a poet then, deeply moved by the idea of amplifying unheard stories. I even started a project called Poets Anonymous, intending to publish the voices of others like me. I ran an ad in another magazine, seeking contributors. I received one heartfelt submission. But I couldn’t see the power in that small win—I only saw the lack of many. I abandoned the dream, not realizing how brave it had been to begin.
Years later, I launched a web design business. My first client was a nonprofit horse rescue. I poured months into their site, shaping it to their vision. Right before launch, they shared heartbreaking news: they were closing their doors. I added a closure notice to the homepage and sent the final invoice, which was never paid. That moment crushed something in me. I couldn’t take on the next client. My passion had been buried under disappointment. And again, I didn’t have the support to rise from the fall.
What We Don’t See in the Mirror
At the time, I didn’t know to celebrate the courage it took to try. I didn’t see those small wins—the ad placed, the poem submitted, the website built—as victories. I saw only the endings, not the beginnings. I didn’t know then that every failure was a seed of growth.
I didn’t know what I know now: Imposter syndrome is not a reflection of truth—it’s a distortion of the mirror.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Learning to See Differently
It’s easy to look back and think, “If only I had more support.” But the truth is, the real shift came when I began to support myself. I surrounded myself with mentors and coaches. I invested in my growth. I learned to reframe failure as feedback and to see effort as success.
Dr. Brene Brown, a researcher who has spent decades studying vulnerability, once said:
“The biggest potential for growth and connection lies in the spaces of discomfort and vulnerability.”
I’ve learned that imposter syndrome thrives in silence and shame. But when we name it, when we speak it aloud, its power dissolves.
From Vision to Reality: The Long Game of Building a Dream
In 2008, I wrote the business plan for the Integrative Wellness Collective. It was a vision that came from deep within me—a holistic hub for healing, collaboration, and growth. It felt bold and expansive. And over time, piece by piece, it has become real.
But even now, I have to remind myself: success is in the small steps. It’s in the courage to keep going when things don’t work out. It’s in the pivots, the persistence, and the support systems we build around ourselves.
Fail Fast, Learn Faster
One of the most liberating lessons I’ve learned is that failure is part of success. Entrepreneurs in the startup world often talk about “failing fast”—testing ideas quickly, learning what works, and moving forward without attachment. It’s not personal. It’s the process.
Imposter syndrome convinces us we’re not ready. That we’ll be found out. That we don’t deserve the dream we’re building.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You just have to begin—and begin again when necessary.
Reframing the Narrative
Imposter syndrome is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we believe we don’t have what it takes, we’ll act from that belief. But if we choose to see ourselves as visionaries in progress, as creatives in the messy, beautiful act of becoming—we shift the story.
So today, I choose to celebrate the courage it took to try. I honor the effort. I see the early failures not as dead ends, but as stepping stones. Because I now know: Believing in yourself isn’t about ego—it’s about stepping into your purpose.
~S
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