We’ve got some of the most incredible artists, creatives and entrepreneurs in our community and we are constantly shocked by how prevalent imposter syndrome is. So many incredibly talented folks are haunted by self-doubt by a society that often tells you not to think too highly of yourself, but in order to have the strength to take on big challenges and make meaningful change in the world you’ve got to believe in yourself and so we wanted to create a space for conversations around overcoming imposter syndrome.
Vanessa Campos
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been a journey, and it’s something I still work on. In the beginning, I found myself questioning if I was “qualified” enough to help others with their books or to be seen as an expert in the publishing world. What helped me push through was recognizing that no one has all the answers or a perfect path, and I didn’t need to be flawless to provide value. I shifted my mindset to focus on the people I was helping, rather than on my own self-doubts. Read more>>
Jean-philippe Pasquier
Initially, I had a huge imposter syndrome in my position as a new artist. It was complicated for me to admit that I could be in an artistic process. It is thanks to the support of my friends and family that I was able to move from being an apprentice artist to an established artist. And now, when I decide to create a piece, it is for myself, for my artistic approach, not for the gaze of others. And that is a real evolution. Read more>>
Amber Shaffer
I over come imposter syndrome. By seeing that being like everyone else isn’t gonna help you succeed in your business when I first started photography I was trying to be more like the other photographers than just finding my own style it took a few years to understand that and over come that. Read more>>
Andy Rhodenbaugh
Imposter syndrome is always related to the feeling of fear. What will people think of me? Am I good enough? Will I succeed or fail? Fear, as Dr. Chip Dodd notes, is the feeling that tells us we are in danger. For some, the danger is swimming in shark-infested waters. For others, it’s getting out of bed in the morning or starting a new business. Read more>>
Elizabeth Cuzzupoli
While I’d love to say I’ve overcome imposter syndrome, I’m still a ways off from that goal. But looking at the work I’ve put in and how far I’ve come has helped immensely. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the magnitude of our goals and how much more we hope to achieve. While it’s great to have something to work toward, I try not to let my aspirations undermine my current accomplishments. By looking back at progress videos, old clips, and where I started out, I remind myself of the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am now, and can more easily recognize the progress I’ve already made. Read more>>
Bernadette Finnerty
If I had listened to those “voices in my head” telling me I was too old to start a business at 53, I would not have gotten onto QVC. I did a pop-up at my friend’s store – Goodness Bowls – right when I started my business in September 2020. This was a Saturday. I had a table on the sidewalk, alongside two very young girls – one selling jewelry and the other selling tye-dye clothes. Both were very popular at the time. I felt like an old lady. I had to keep explaining what my product was. I didn’t like selling on the street from behind a table. I was totally out of my comfort zone. We sold a good number of Shavestix, but I didn’t want to go back on Sunday. Read more>>
Imani Varker
Honestly, I wouldn’t say that I’ve overcome imposter syndrome. Maybe someday it won’t be an issue, but until then, I just have to keep showing up for myself and being very open to learning and growing as I go along. I still get nervous when preparing for a market. All of the what-ifs, like what if there are lots of other soap makers there? What if their soaps are prettier or smell better than mine? What if no one likes or wants to try any of my products? These thoughts make me want to just stay in bed, but the hope that my people will find me and love what I have created helps me to work through all of that. Optimism for the possibility that I could meet lots of awesome new people and make some really cool sales and personal connections helps me to move forward. Read more>>
Imani Varker
Honestly, I wouldn’t say that I’ve overcome imposter syndrome. Maybe someday it won’t be an issue, but until then, I just have to keep showing up for myself and being very open to learning and growing as I go along. I still get nervous when preparing for a market. All of the what-ifs, like what if there are lots of other soap makers there? What if their soaps are prettier or smell better than mine? What if no one likes or wants to try any of my products? These thoughts make me want to just stay in bed, but the hope that my people will find me and love what I have created helps me to work through all of that. Optimism for the possibility that I could meet lots of awesome new people and make some really cool sales and personal connections helps me to move forward. Read more>>
Elena Fazio
I think imposter syndrome never really goes away for anyone, but it’s part of being an artist to realize your work will never remain stagnant and you’ll always be growing. Leaping into the unknown out of your comfort zone is sometimes the best way to get around it. If you keep trying to expand your knowledge as an artist it gets less scary to put yourself out there and will, in the end, make you more confident in your work! I love taking new classes and learning more in-depth processes for writing and story composition, which has really helped me understand character development for my animation work and how to develop my own stories. Read more>>
April (ace) Elliott
Honestly I’m true to myself. Sometimes I feel like I don’t belong and don’t fit. I’ve learned that that is just how life feels sometimes. Especially if you’re the only one in your circle doing the thing you do. I find comfort in knowing that I do my absolute best. I have a strong support system that speak life into me consistently. Read more>>
Nael Atweh
Something I work on every single day. You overcome it by accepting that it’s a real thing and you’ll always compare yourself to others. Just focus on what you can do and not what you don’t have control over. Read more>>
Bonnie Cahoon
As a Pilates Instructor and owner of Bonnie’s Pilates For Every Body, I must admit I did suffer from imposter syndrome. Many people come to Pilates as a way to rehabilitate after an injury. And yes, Pilates does absolutely help with this BUT I am not a physical therapist or doctor. Pilates teachers have been described as “elite fitness instructors” because of the amount of training it takes to become a Pilates instructor. When I was certified twenty years ago, there was only one way to get certified (now it’s a different story, but I won’t get into that) that involved hundreds upon hundreds of hours of observation, teaching, working out, practical tests, and written tests. We had to learn kinesiology and anatomy. Read more>>
Elizabeth Sanchez
For me, overcoming imposter syndrome is an ongoing process. Getting to know myself on a deeper level has helped me manage those moments when I feel like I don’t belong. A liar can’t convince you of something you know is true, and the same goes for the voice of your inner critic. When you’re sure of who you are, that voice begins to lose its power. Read more>>
Jamie Bajgert
I think everyone deals with imposter syndrome at some point, especially as business owners. When I first started my marketing business years ago, I constantly questioned whether I could actually do it. Could I really run a business? Would I be successful? Read more>>
Walil Archer
Overcoming imposter syndrome wasn’t easy, but it’s been a major part of my journey. When I first transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship back in 2000, there were moments when I questioned whether I belonged in the spaces I was entering. But I learned that doubt is part of the process. The key for me was staying focused on my growth, recognizing my value, and remembering that my path is unique. Read more>>
Erinn Diekman
That’s an ongoing struggle. It’s still something that challenges me. But, I have learned to quiet my inner critic. I know I am a work in progress, and so is my art. I’ve also realized that the main reason I create art is because I love the process. I love being in the flow state. I love to create. And so my art comes from that place, that feeling of joy and contentment. If it ends up being art that others like and can relate to, then that’s a bonus. Read more>>
Jen Swindler
I don’t know if I’ll ever fully overcome imposter syndrome, but I’m learning to accept it’s a reality of life, learning to understand why and when I experience it, and trying to push through anyway. I realized that imposter syndrome really shows up for me when I’m doing something hard or new, or something that pushes me past limits I’m comfortable with. That was a huge turning point for me – recognizing the feeling was coming up when I was about to do something that would stretch me. Read more>>
Peter Lepahin
In the beginning, composers seemed like superhuman beings to me. I never thought I could call my self a composer. But then I realized that I need a change of perspective: if I want to compose music, I don’t have to be afraid of it! The method I found was joining different communities of composers, like Facebook groups etc. I suddenly found out that the world is full of composers (also having imposter syndrome) and you don’t have to be world famous or to have awards and prizes in order to call yourself a composer – you just have to compose music! Read more>>
Mariela Reyes
Imposter syndrome is something many of us struggle with, and I was no exception when I began my journey as a travel advisor. I had a deep passion for travel and plenty of experience, but I wasn’t sure how that would translate into successfully advising clients. In the beginning, I had moments of doubt, wondering if I really had what it takes. Read more>>
Campbell
My name is Christian Angelique Henley. However, many people know me as Campbell. I adopted the name Campbell as a way to encapsulate my identity as an artist and filmmaker. This evolution did not happen overnight and was born out of a deep desire to find my place in the film industry. I wanted to differentiate myself and brand my artistry in such a way that it was undeniable the artist behind the content I imagined future audiences would consume. Almost everyday I confront these feelings of being an imposter. I often question my decision to forego my given name and embark on this new journey of self. Read more>>
Jamie Batiste
As an entrepreneur, imposter syndrome is something we all experience at different stages. I wouldn’t say we ever fully overcome it, but rather, we learn how to manage it when it creeps in. Running a business is such a personal journey—our business is our baby, and naturally, we want to see it thrive and succeed. But when those feelings of doubt and “less than” surface, it can be draining and even depressing at times. Read more>>
Kerrie Wilson
I think what has helped me the most in overcoming imposter syndrome is to stop comparing myself to others and at 52 years old, I certainly wish I had figured that out long ago. I’ve always been a creative person whether it was my passion as a musician, love of interior design or taking on different projects for my home but I never had the confidence to step out and turn those passions into a career. Why? Because I always felt there was someone else out there who was better and I feared being a failure. Read more>>
Kerriann Hammock
I do not believe in imposter syndrome and the only reason people do is because they have not accepted that we live in multitudes. Something it took me years to understand is how all of the things that makeup who I am could co-exist. For example, being a woman who is a nurturer and playful with her children while still being vivacious and attractive in other environments. Being a formidable business person, but also walking with compassion first. It is when I accepted that depending on the circumstance I could be any and all things that I put aside the notion of imposter syndrome. Read more>>
Franchesca Thompson
When I entered the field of education, I had many encounters with feeling like an imposter as a new teacher. This was my first year, and I did not enter the field traditionally because I came from corporate. Trading in my briefcase for a book bag was my new journey. The weight of impostor syndrome was heavy for me for the first few years. Even though I was very successful as a teacher, I always had a feeling of being “found out” or “I do not belong.” Read more>>
Mackenzie Terzian
This is a great question, and to be 1000% transparent, I don’t have the answer. But hear me out… I think that imposter syndrome is such an important part of growth as a creative business owner, otherwise we’re all just huge egos running rampant and calling the shots.
I hold a lot of thoughts of unworthiness, questioning my value as a designer, and hesitation if what I’m doing is any different from the hundreds, thousands even, of other wedding florists out there, and that is SO normal. Read more>>
Coralin Allen
The first step for me was recognizing when I was experiencing imposter syndrome. I started writing down those moments when I felt like a fraud. Seeing it on paper helped me realize how often it happened and that it wasn’t based on reality. I began challenging my inner critic. Whenever I had a negative thought, I asked myself if there was any real evidence to support it. Most of the time, there wasn’t. Instead of seeing mistakes as failures, I tried to view them as learning opportunities. This shift in perspective made a huge difference in how I approached challenges. Talking to friends, mentors, or a therapist helped me a lot. Read more>>
Emily Olson
Imposter Syndrome is REAL, y’all. But here’s the thing. It’s easy to compare and feel as though you may not be as qualified as someone else, particularly when you are first starting out, if you are surrounding yourself with other professionals in your same field. And you SHOULD be surrounding yourself with them. The most quality connections you can have in business partially stem from people who came before you, succeeded, and are ready and willing to share their experiences and advice with newcomers. Read more>>
Kristine Jackson
We are not imposters if we are true to ourselves. Though I understand the feeling, I think “imposter syndrome” is an upside down phrase. Generally, I have felt like an imposter when I have been given some opportunity or praise that felt undeserved. Yet we are deserving more often than not. We are being an imposter when we are less than that, not more. The truth is that we are a bold and beautiful collection of creativity, curiosity, messy and magnificent. We are being an imposter when we are less than that, not more. Read more>>
