Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from phenomenal artists, creatives and entrepreneurs who’ve successfully managed to overcome imposter syndrome.

Stephanie Vu

Beating imposter syndrome was not easy and even now, I have to continually remind myself squash the lingering feelings of it. As a 28-year-old first-gen Vietnamese American woman juggling a photography business an e-commerce brand, it felt like I was constantly wrestling with this feeling of not measuring up. Read more>>

Moira Villiard

I don’t know that anyone ever really overcomes imposter syndrome. At the same time, I think there was a point very early on personally where I realized that most of the people I looked up to didn’t fully believe in themselves as much as others believed in them. On my end as a fan, I felt like that made those interactions awkward and even a little disappointing sometimes.  Read more>>

Alysha Tucker

I think everyone trying to create something weather that’s a business, content, art, etc deals with imposter syndrome to some extent. For me, I have really bad ADHD and the imposter syndrome is definitely amplified because of that. Read more>>

Lisa Ray Koenig

I am not sure that I have completely overcome imposter syndrome. One of the most challenging qualities to overcome as new artist is comparing your artwork to another artist’s work. Don’t do this! You have to recognize that what you creative comes from within and is you alone. Revel in your techniques as you hone them.  Read more>>

Taidyn

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been held to high standards, whether externally enforced or self-imposed. Before I started singing and writing songs, I was an actress, talk show host, and model. My job was to be whoever or whatever other people expected, A teenage ghost, a Catholic schoolgirl, a high schooler in the 80’s. Read more>>

AJ Jackson

I overcame imposter syndrome by knowing that whatever room or position that I’ve been in, work and dedication is what got me there nothing else. So I’m supposed to be wherever I’m at. Read more>>

Abhi Ananda

This is an interesting question. I’m not sure if I had this same situation. But, if any readers feel like they’re in this situation, hopefully they can relate to my story. I’m a musician and I used to have this mindset that I wanna do my music career in a band and do everything with it. Even though I can and I had performed solo before, I have never thought about doing my music primarily as a solo. Read more>>

Max Boutry

It’s normal for any business owner or creator of any kind to question themselves when getting started on their journey. Will anyone really use this? Is my price point correct? Am I capable of providing what I’ve promised? I came across the Steve Jobs quote that I think is very helpful for budding entrepreneurs to hear: “everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you.” Read more>>

Nandi Mooney

This is actually a challenging question, and I’m still learning. I believe you never truly get over it; you just elevate to the next step, and the cycle repeats. When I was starting out, I often thought, “This person is better than me, that person is better than me,” without realizing that I just needed to be better than the version of myself from the beginning of the week.  Read more>>

Charisse Piros

Overcoming imposter syndrome is different for everyone. I think internal reflection and introspection help you tap into that answer. Once I tapped into why I felt like an “imposter” I was able to change the negative self-talk in my head with affirmations and mirror work. Affirmations effectively change the negative soundtrack telling you what you can’t do. YOU can! Read more>>

Victoria V. Carlton

Overcoming imposter syndrome has been an evolving journey, especially starting a business at the young age of 25. Initially, age was a significant factor that fueled these feelings. Launching Carlton Creative Co. right after completing my master’s degree put me in situations where I often felt I had to prove my worth and capabilities to decision-makers who were often times 25+ years older than me. Read more>>

Michael Jade

I overcome imposter syndrome on a regular basis – it’s a process, not a binary state. Overcoming it is a constant realization of 2 things. First, everybody was once a clueless toddler fumbling forward, amazed when anyone actually took them seriously. The dirty little secret is that most of us are still that, well into our careers. Anyone who thinks they have a full grip on what they’re doing is either fooling themselves, or not doing anything exciting. Read more>>

Christian Johnson

There’s a quote that I love that is the perfect answer to this question. “Don’t compare someone else’s middle, to your beginning.” When you’re surrounded by so many incredibly talented, multifaceted, creative individuals and business owners, comparing yourself is bound to happen. I focus on where I am at this phase of my life and business, and do my best to have a mindset of abundance. Read more>>

Elijah Seay

Well, not going to lie, that’s a tough one! Honestly, I’m not sure if I ever have overcome imposter syndrome, but I’m not sure I ever want to either. After graduating from college and entering the workforce, imposter syndrome ran rampant in my mind. I would show up to work almost every single day thinking that this is the day that they finally fire me. Read more>>

Nikki Scarnati

I think that drive and willing to grow helps you push through feelings of imposter syndrome. If you recognize that is comes from lack of experience, then you should focus on building the experience you feel that your lacking to close the gap of feeling not worthy within your trade. For example, I felt this way after I got Certified through ISR as an instructor. Mastering any new trade can become intimidating. Read more>>

Sophia Augustine

I’ve never overcome imposter syndrome, I’m just learning how to not listen to all the voices that are telling me I shouldn’t be where I am. I used to be super anxious about being surrounded by professional musicians as well as young musicians like myself, and to be honest, I still do. But I’m learning that everyone is learning from everyone, regardless of their status. Read more>>

Dave Taylor

The antidote to imposter syndrome is modesty, but realistic and honest modesty. Don’t claim to have been the lead architect if you were sharpening people’s pencils, but by the same token, don’t pretend you were the intern if you were instrumental in the success of a product or campaign. I’ve never been comfortable with braggart and so naturally learned to ensure I wasn’t talking too much about myself either. Read more>>

Brandon Juezan

I have actually felt imposter syndrome A LOT with every aspect of my career and lifestyle. As a dancer, I feel like I’m not independent and didn’t pave my own path because I have been a member of a company for my entire career.  Read more>>

Jessica Castillo

I overcome imposter syndrome by recognizing that I am in control of my own success. Rather than attributing my accomplishments to luck, I take ownership and responsibility for the hard work and dedication that goes into each client’s individual unique body and programming. Read more>>

Brandin Hurley

I’m not sure anyone ever truly overcomes imposter syndrome. Being an adult seems to be realizing that you are now supposed to have the answers, but don’t, and continuing despite this knowledge. For me, confidence has come from a steady creation of work over years. Sometimes this work was a disaster, but the more I work, the easier it becomes to believe that I will find joy in the final product. Read more>>

Karma Hydra

Navigating the world of music has been both challenging and rewarding for me, especially considering my relatively short time openly operating as a public artist, songwriter and producer. After ten years of pursuing a career soley in visual art, I decided to honor my lifelong dream of making music instead of only consuming it. Read more>>

Andrea Bridges-Smith

I have overcome (and to be honest, am always in the process of overcoming) imposter syndrome by realizing that everyone else has it too! The most impressive people I know, people who have inspired me have talked about their imposter syndrome, and you think, “You? But you’re so awesome!”  Read more>>

Martelle Graham

I think the real question is, Can one truly overcome imposter syndrome? I still find myself struggling with it today, and I believe that’s perfectly normal. It’s just a part of the journey. Sometimes I’ll look at a piece of art I’ve created and be amazed by it. I’ll ask myself, “Did I really do this?” This is especially true when there are no footsteps to follow, and I’m the first artist in my family.  Read more>>

Robert Peckyno

If I’m being honest – I probably haven’t or ever will ‘overcome’ imposter syndrome. I think of it as a normal response when you strive ‘above your station.’ To improve, you need to continually work with people who are better than you at whatever it is that you are trying to do. As a natural result of doing that, you will often feel a bit out of your depth.  Read more>>

Keri Klein

One of the best things I did was find mentors both formally and informally. I work in the wedding business, and there were people who were also in that industry, not necessarily the same field as me (officiating), but people who were thriving. I looked to them as my sound board and I was lucky they were willing to lend an ear when I asked. Read more>>

Melissa Foster

Imposter syndrome is a common experience for many in this field, and I guess the question is do you really get over imposter syndrome or is it about managing or mitigating it? In my head, I see it as an ongoing process rather than a one-time resolution. Read more>>

Alexis Cooper

part of overcoming struggles is first acknowledging your struggles. These are commonly things we I unknowingly avoid. It was first start off as a thought or feeling to do something and often times intrusive thoughts will talk us out of what feels naturally right to us.  Read more>>

Noah Sanatkar Sanatkar

To be frank, I’m still working through it, I’ve found that within my main two passions, photography and social work – it’s a continuous internal learning process. Being about to trust within myself that I am more than competent and capable of doing the work I do and working alongside those likeminded is a challenge, especially when there’s so much room for comparison and internal interrogation.  Read more>>

Jonathan Morse

Simple answer is that you don’t. Imposter syndrome is unavoidable for any person that starts something that they have never done before. When I started my own business, and working for myself I was going into uncharted territory. Read more>>

Ellie Robinson

After working in my field for years, starting a successful freelance business, and working doing what I love every day the truth is there are totally still times when I wrestle with imposter syndrome! And guess what I’ve found out…..THAT’S TOTALLY NORMAL. Read more>>

Whitney Frederic

My journey through imposter syndrome took a significant turn in 2023. Amid the chaos of preparing for my friend’s bachelorette party in Jamaica, I anxiously checked on a Shein order that hadn’t arrived yet– which added another layer of stress. Then, an email arrived, declaring my hand-selection by REVOLT and Target for season three of “Bet on Black,” a series amplifying brilliant Black entrepreneurs. Read more>>

Nikola Wisniewska

When I became a nurse, that was something I struggled with, feeling like an imposter in my field. Even though I had an education, certifications and passed my state exams and had experience, sometimes I felt incompetent. Once I became a coach, I realized I had to process those feelings I was feeling and challenge my self-limiting beliefs. I started to journal and wrote everything down to see what comes up for me.  Read more>>

Kenna Porter

This is probably a never-ending battle. I would say I haven’t fully overcome imposter syndrome, however I have learned to be proud of how far I have come. I really struggle with comparing my work to other photographers, which sometimes leads me to feeling inadequate in the photography industry.  Read more>>

Katherine Sanchez, Chelsea Matteson Katherine Sanchez, Chelsea Matteson

When we first met while working at a different private practice in the valley, we were just two psychologists with a shared dream. Fast forward three years, and we found ourselves on the cusp of motherhood and entrepreneurship. The decision to leave the safety net of our jobs to start our own practice in Scottsdale was nothing short of a high-stakes gamble. But here’s the kicker: we were both battling the sneaky whispers of impostor syndrome, that all-too-familiar inner critic that loves to question our competence and right to succeed. Read more>>

Sedelah “sid” Haller

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t know that I will ever fully overcome feeling like a little bit of an imposter. I will say, that in this past 15yrs of tattooing (this includes my apprenticeship), I do feel that I’ve got a great set of clientele that keep me optimistic and wanting to get better and better! I think, as long as you persist, strive to grow, stay the course, you’ll never actually be an imposter but maybe it’s even a little bit of a good thing, to feel that way. There’s no telling haha. Read more>>