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.

Jochebed Zakrzewski

When I first stepped into the branding and marketing space, imposter syndrome hit me hard. Despite my results, education, and experience, I questioned if I was “qualified enough” to claim my space in an industry filled with loud voices and polished portfolios. But then I realized, confidence doesn’t come from waiting for permission. It comes from showing up, doing the work, and letting results speak louder than doubt. Read More>>

Christyn Ford

It wasn’t easy, I can tell you that. Being a woman in the trades my work gets judged harsher than my male peers at times. For the first 10 years of my career I hated every install I worked on. I would go home and obsess on all the things I did wrong. I was honestly afraid to ask clients for reviews because I figured they didn’t like my work either, but were just being polite. It’s only been in the last 3 years that I am able to step back and look at a project and be happy with my work. Read More>>

Nico Osier

How did you overcome imposter syndrome?
Honestly, one of my graduate school advisors sort of shook the impostor syndrome out of me. Here’s a recap of the moment that changed my life forever:

One day while I was working on wrapping up my dissertation, my advisor told me that several faculty members had been singing my praises, and that he was proud of the positive reputation I had developed for myself. Rather than thanking him or taking it at face value, I responded from a place of impostor syndrome. Read More>>

 Zena Goodwin

If I’m being honest, I can’t say I’ve “overcome” imposter syndrome because it doesn’t completely go away. It returns every so often. But I will say I’ve learned how to manage it by giving myself grace, radically accepting myself and my journey, and making a point not to compare myself to others. Read More>>

Jocelyn Phillips

The honest truth? I’m not sure I have. I think imposter syndrome is one of those tricky things that never fully goes away. It just shape-shifts as you grow. Every new level in business brings new challenges, new visibility, new expectations… and with that often comes that quiet voice in your head asking, “Who do you think you are?” Read More>>

 Jess Huynh

I wouldn’t say I’ve completely overcome imposter syndrome, but I believe I’m almost there! Two main things have helped me and those things are: my partner and evidence. My partner is incredibly supportive of what I do and constantly reminds me to believe in myself, talk kindly to myself, and look at the evidence. I just recently celebrated my one year anniversary of my small business and he recommended listing out ALL the accomplishments I’ve achieved so far. Read More>>

Miracle Aye-Addo

Imposter syndrome showed up for me in a lot of different ways—whether it was stepping into rooms as a black woman in healthcare, starting my content creation business from scratch, or even launching a faith-based clothing. There were moments I questioned if I was “enough”—qualified enough, creative enough, spiritual enough. But what helped me overcome imposter syndrome wasn’t arriving at perfection, it was learning to trust the God who called me. Read More>>

 Ejay Perkins

I overcame imposter syndrome by embracing radical self-acceptance and showing up unapologetically as my full self. I stopped shrinking and began taking space confidently, no longer waiting for permission to belong. I made space for others too, knowing that authenticity fosters connection and empowerment. Being true to who I am set me free. Read More>>

Amna Shabbir

For much of my life, I carried intense impostor feelings. It often felt like I was one step away from being exposed,like someone would eventually realize I didn’t belong in the rooms I was in. That fear created a constant undercurrent of anxiety. I coped by overpreparing, rehearsing every possible scenario, and always bracing for something to go wrong.
As I moved through school, medical training, academia, and now entrepreneurship, those feelings didn’t go away.  Read More>>

Elle Firespray

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of Joy” and I wholeheartedly believe that. Especially at the beginning of my miniature painting journey, I tended to compare my work to others and then when people would notice my work, I often felt like I was lying or misguiding them because I didn’t believe in myself and my abilities. I had a really hard time accepting a compliment about my painting.  Read More>>

Diamond Drip

I overcame imposter syndrome by learning to trust myself after years of outsourcing my power. I was in a high-ticket coaching program that promised a one-size-fits-all path to $10K months. Other people were seeing success, but despite following the blueprint diligently, I wasn’t. That experience led me to spiral into self-doubt. I kept hiring more coaches, thinking something was wrong with me. Read More>>

Hope Byrd

It took a while, honestly. After years of dreaming and imagining the life I am living right now, to see it in front of me has felt a little strange. When I feel anxious or have imposter syndrome I try to remind myself that I deserve a seat at the table and that I bring a unique skillset that no one else can. That your own personal expeirences separate you from everyone else and give you something that no one else can replicate. That alone drives me out of the “imposter” holes I dig myself into. Read More>>

Katelyn Alyssa

I’m no stranger to impostor syndrome. It’s been present in my life for as long as I can remember and it’s often been the driving force behind my biggest pivots. From the fashion industry to interior design to full-time entrepreneurship, impostor syndrome has always been there. The difference now is, I know how to work with it instead of against it. Read More>>

Grace Wilbanks

A Tiny Mustard Seed of Faith

When I started my art career, I had a mustard seed of faith that if I entered one of my collages in an exhibition that something might come of it. Acting on that tiny bit of faith has opened up a whole new world for me, even if I was rejected from that first exhibition. I went to the opening anyway, and I stuck around to meet the juror for the show. He was an established artist and seasoned art professor. He encouraged me to enter more exhibitions and jump with both feet into the art world. Read More>>

Chris And Anna Holmes

How We Push Through Imposter Syndrome (Even When It Creeps In Uninvited)

Imposter syndrome doesn’t knock. It barges in—usually right when you’re about to try something new, share something personal, or take a big leap in your creative journey.

For both Chris and me, imposter syndrome has shown up in all kinds of sneaky ways. The voice in our heads might whisper, “You’re not really an artist,” or “Who do you think you are to teach others?” But over the years, we’ve found two things that help us keep moving forward: our faith in a higher power and the simple act of showing up to do the work. Read More>>

Leo Solomon

Smelling the flowers, I think life is to be lived to the fullest and we should strive to be the kid version of ourselves…having big dreams. When we begin to accomplish things and have milestones, we should congratulate ourselves. We should take time to reflect, appreciate where you are in life, and live in awe for a moment. Read More>>