The Road to "Yes"
Building businesses is a journey of excavation and figuring out your definition of success.
You know what’s great as an entrepreneur? That first “yes.” If you ask 100 founders where that first “yes” came from, my educated guess is that the first “yes” came from a place they didn’t expect.
It’s the greatest tension - putting yourself and your work out into the world and betting that others will join your journey. It’s not unlike writing and storytelling. We all want the exhilaration of having a Sally Field Oscars “you really like me” moment.
To be seen with a great idea in business is one thing. To have a brand, investor, or client jump in the deep end with you is another.
The irony in all of this is that our ideas and businesses are born from a “why not me?” moment. Those nudges are set by our own internal compass, not from applause or praise from anyone else. BEAM is truly a “why not me” moment - you can hear more about it on this week’s episode of The Courage Effect. Even when we start businesses with a blend of intuition and market research, we need the affirmation of others beyond just the “you’ve got a cool idea” there. We notice when others step up and instead of providing suggestions of what you should do to move your idea forward, they reach out with connections and a promise of their own time and bandwidth.
If you can’t tell, I’m really feeling the push and pull with BEAM right now as we crowdfund, plan an end-of-year founding member drive (here on Substack and via the crowdfund), host ongoing partnership conversations with amazing partners, publish new episodes of And More with Amy Kugler, and determine the funding route we want to take. We’re seeing incredible traction overall, though it’s really difficult to see that movement in the day-to-day minutiae of executing the details in between dropoffs and dinner prep.
As I’m having incredibly rich conversations with potential partners, the one hurdle I keep bumping up against is a version of this:
“I love the idea, but have you done something like this before?”
I totally get why they ask. If you look me up online or view my LinkedIn, you see a limited list of my clients, organizations, and past partners. On my site, you’ll find a sliver - maybe 30% - of the results from different client campaigns, ghostwritten articles, and more that comprise my career. The many NDAs I’ve signed mean that I get to work on amazing projects and never talk about them. The numerous articles I’ve ghostwritten that went viral. Sure, there are some startup bets I’ve made that haven’t panned out - that’s the name of the game, too. But it doesn’t mean that the effort, time invested, and intention are any less valuable.
Maybe I’m optimistic, but those that haven’t panned out just make me think it wasn’t the right product for the market…yet. What gives me energy is that I know BEAM is the right fit for a market that is starved for complex, real-life storytelling about moms and caregivers. (I mean, even Reese Witherspoon said so last weekend. If she says women’s stories are good business, believe it.)
And I’m even more bullish about the fact that the events, content, and partnerships we’re creating can have a much bigger impact than a bottom line.
The thing is: that’s a long-tail bet. It’s not something that will see a return on investment within 18-24 months. It’s intentionally a generational investment, but it’s one that’s incredibly necessary to move public policy, equity, and social justice forward.
I’m sharing this because I feel like others - especially women in business - might feel like we’re rowing against the same current. I’ve heard it time and time again as I coached female founders before I even had the wild notion to start something of my own.
As I shared the “Have you done this before” response with a friend and colleague last week in asking for her advice, her response took me a bit by surprise. In her remarkably distinct British accent, she immediately exclaimed “Well, that’s bullshit!” without hesitating. I was stopped in my tracks by the quickness with which she debunked a story that was starting to dig roots into my entrepreneurial journey.
“Other people - especially men - have started business with less insight, market knowledge, and experience. You’ve got this - let’s just prove them wrong.” Noted.
So, friends - let’s just prove them wrong. I’d love it if you could share this with someone who is looking for that first “yes” in business or life. Tell them we’re in this together.
BEAM (and Amy) In the News
Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, powered by Moms Rising. Check out our episode here!
The Courage Effect with Suzanne Weller - this was one of my favorite convos. Check out our clip below and the episode here.
Amy’s 3 Things - Entrepreneur Edition
Must Watch: The Information hosted the WTF Summit (it’s on my bucket list for next year!) with incredible women who are defining success on their own terms, including Emily Ramshaw of The 19th, Arlan Hamilton, Katy Perry, and more. This clip with Erin and Sara Foster of Favorite Daughter is a new touchstone for my entrepreneurial journey. I’d love to sit down and ask a million questions
Must Listen: This episode of Everything Happens with Kate Bowler and guest David Brooks broke me apart and made me believe in humanity again - even in the midst of a very tumultuous time. The TLDR: It’s all about connection …and I think that has EVERYTHING to do with the businesses we build.
Must Meet: In the vein of Sara and Erin’s clip above saying that they need to find their amazing partners, let me recommend one of mine. Tim and Laura Sullivan of Sullivan and Sullivan Studios are not only incredible designers and creatives. They are the most intentional, inspirational people I know. They elevated my own website and brand this summer, developed an elegant brand for BEAM, and I’m glad to continue working with them to bring these two things to life. (This is a true definition of including the right business partners - I know enough graphic design to be dangerous.) Plus, they plan incredible international experiences that I will attend…someday…without kids.
Must Read (ok, ok, I added a fourth non-business one, but it’s important): I read the latest Substack post by
on and I’m in a puddle of tears. Also, this post on ’s is moving. Please just go read them. (Special thanks to Susan McPherson and Lindsay Scola for sharing these two.)
Last, but not least…
Be kind to yourself and others, friends. I don’t have to remind you about the news cycle this week. It’s A LOT. I want to see you back here next week a little more rested and hydrated. Why? Because in the words of Mr. Rogers: I like you.
