Carolyn Jack

Editor and CEO, Geniocity.com
A project of The Genius Group LLC

Creative Nerve: What It’s Really Like to Start a Business

Do the best you can. Why aren’t I farther along? It’s bad enough that I flagellate myself with that question nearly every minute of the day, but hearing it implied by other people is much worse torture. 

What do they think I spend my 19 daily waking hours doing – making decorative strings of paper clips? I don’t expect them to know everything that goes into starting my business, but I guess I do expect them to give me a little credit for working hard and dealing with endless minutiae and frustrations. For making do with very limited resources and few hands. For urging myself on even when I’ve exhausted my strength, sense of humor and confidence.

Should I be flattered that they evidently thought I could turn my idea into glory in a few months or totally flattened by their disdain for my actual, small-but-hard-won accomplishments? 

I don’t know, frankly. My usual reaction kind of morphs from shock and dismay to depression, anger and stolid resignation. I’d like to explain to every one of these self-appointed judges just exactly what I have to cope with to keep this project moving forward, but that always sounds to my ears like excuse-making. So I end up numbly forging on, doing the best I can.

It’s all I can do. I’m not perfect, my start-up isn’t perfect, the world isn’t perfect. The people who find me and my efforts insufficient aren’t perfect, either. So, for them, here’s the truth: Warren Buffett hasn’t adopted me yet, so I’m breaking my back and emptying my pockets to give this idea of mine an earthly, working form. It isn’t gorgeous or fancy yet, but the frame is up. It’s as good right now as I can make it right now.

And that’s going to have to be good enough until I can make it better. Detractors? Please help or get out of the way. This entrepreneur will thank you, whichever choice you make.