"I wanna do it, I'm just scared."

How to combat fear when embarking on something new.

Good evening dressing gang!

I ran into an old friend today — someone that I hadn’t seen since before launching LAV. It’s always funny running into people who knew me before this little endeavor. I’m the same person, but I do feel like I carry a bit more self-confidence. Maybe it’s also just maturity though, IDK.

We caught up briefly, and she mentioned how I was one of the first people from our high school class to launch something. That comment made me think a little. Because after going to a school like USC, where everyone and their neighbor has a startup, this path started to feel... normal? But I have to remind myself it’s not. Starting something from scratch is still something.

She told me she’s always wanted to start something of her own. Before she could even tell me what it was, I said, “You should do it.” Her response: “I want to, I’m just scared.”

Funny enough, fear was never really in the picture for me — not in the beginning, at least. From idea to launch, I was never scared. I did feel anxious and uncertain at times, but I never questioned my ability. I think a big part of that was my age and being in college. Not to mention my amazing family that still cheers me on. But even now, just one year out, I sometimes feel more hesitant than I did back then. The older you get, the more pressure you feel to “get it right.” Maybe that’s societal expectations, or maybe it’s just life — but either way, it’s real.

In that conversation, I found myself repeating something to her I’ve written about here before: launching is the easy part. It’s exciting, it’s fresh, it’s never been seen before — and that’s fun. The harder part is what comes after. Keeping the momentum. Keeping the flame lit after the spark fades. It’s like, everyone wants to start training for a marathon, but how many people actually run the race?

For me, sharing my journey online adds a layer of pressure. It’s like once you set sail, you have to keep sailing — even when the water’s choppy and you’re not sure where the wind’s blowing. (Okay, I’ll stop with the metaphors!!) I might not have as many people waiting as Brokeback Contessa / Meadow Lane, but views are still daunting.

So back to the idea of fear… What’s funny is I’ve felt more fear now, a year later, than I ever did initially. I’m waiting on my second production run. It’s delayed (classic), and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. I am so grateful to be doing this second run, the support I felt the first time around was beyond what I could have expected. But as a member of Gen Z, I am unfortunately wired for instant gratification. I fight that urge every day — but three months with no product? Torture. Especially when you’re someone who thrives on movement, hustle, and doing.

So why did I tell her to “do it” without even knowing her idea? Because you grow so much. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s mentally challenging. But the in-between moments — the slow ones, the frustrating ones — that’s where the real growth happens. That’s when you learn how to keep going even when you don’t feel momentum.

So if you’re in that “I wanna do it, I’m just scared” stage — I get it. But just know: fear doesn’t go away once you start. It just changes shape. There will always be another obstacle to overcome, and with each phase, you get better at handling it. Oh and btw, this doesn’t just apply to launching a business. Whether it’s pitching a new idea at work, applying for a role you’re not 100% “qualified” for, or just doing something outside your comfort zone — the fear is the same. The growth is, too. But at the end of the day, if you don’t feel the tough moments, how would you even know what the good ones feel like?

Dress well.

Natalie

P.S. LMK if you like these kinds of posts, if I sound like a broken record, or if there is something else you want to hear from me. I’m all ears!