Jamie Slough
The Very Scary Boos of Business Start-Up
Updated: Dec 8, 2022
In honor of Halloween and all things spooky, we wanted to unmask some of the scariest parts of business start-up…because let’s be honest, it can be absolutely terrifying!

5 common fears of business start-up and how to overcome them:
I don’t know what the heck I’m doing! Do any of us really? Imposter Syndrome is no joke, and can be one of the scariest challenges of business start-up. If you are starting a business, chances are you have experience, or at least the passion, in your industry that you need. Everything else you will figure out. Take comfort in the truth that no one really knows what they’re doing when they start their first business. When you start feeling that imposter syndrome creep in, or just need to figure out how to do something, check out Youtube videos, Audible or podcasts. From business formation to accounting and marketing, there’s nothing you can’t find with a good google search!
Having the budget to get started. Start-up is not cheap! Business formation, set-up, branding…the list goes on. So how do people afford it?! Many entrepreneurs keep full time jobs while they get things off the ground and wait for revenue to replace their salaries. Others look for funding. Did you know that there are business loans, grants and investors just waiting to fund the right opportunity? At J Collective, we help our clients create professional and persuasive pitch decks for your investor presentations. Even better…we work with a Pitch Strategist to create a pitch investors can’t ignore!
What if the business doesn’t come? So you made the leap, you’ve found someway to fund it, and now what if the business doesn’t come? With over 7 Billion people in the world, there’s a need for just about everything. It’s all about brand positioning and creating a marketing strategy that attracts your target audience. This is our jam at J Collective! And even better…we have different ways to help you start building your business. From consulting for the DIY budget, to full implementation, we create a custom strategy catered to you and your needs. The biggest challenge is having patience those first few months while we work our magic!
Business ownership is lonely. PREACH!! Personally, I’ve always been attracted to the idea of a partnership so I’m not in this alone - but partnerships can come with their own challenges. If you’re flying solo in business ownership (like me), I highly recommend joining a business or networking group, finding a mentor, surrounding yourself with the best, AND scheduling a call with us! At J Collective we are your branding and marketing partners. It takes a village and we want to be part of that village, helping you succeed!
Fear of Success I never used to understand this one. Why would someone be scared of succeeding? But now, after having a successful business and then watching it crash and burn, fear of success became a very real thing. The only thing harder than business success, is picking up the pieces when it fails. My fear became, “IF I am lucky enough to be successful again, how do I continue to be successful?” It can all be a little overwhelming. My recommendation is be clear on what your definition of success is, and get your village assembled. These are the people that will celebrate the successes with you and the people you can call when you need that pep talk.
We get business start-up can be scary! By identifying your specific fears and creating a strategy to address those fears if and when they arise, you can prepare for the worst and plan for the best.
At J Collective we love working with start-ups and watching dreams come true! Are you thinking about starting a business? Let’s talk! Schedule your complimentary consultation and take the next step to business success.


-Jamie Slough Founder, Marketing & Brand Strategist | J Collective