Starting a business or side hustle is a lot like the first time you start hiking.

I remember the day I made the decision that I was going to start hiking. I felt so many emotions all at once. I was excited, terrified and had so many doubts and second thoughts about starting. I knew if I was not going to take that first step in that moment, that my anxiety and self doubt would get the better of me and that I was never going to do it.

My fear of heights and knowing how unfit I was seemed to put me off from pushing myself to go and give it a try it.

I have always wanted to be able to do all the many beautiful trails in my city as I have seen all the posts on social media of what seemed to look so magical.

These were my biggest fears:

* That I would be judged for the way I looked

* What would people think seeing this sweaty Betty, out of breath, half dying girl trying to get up a mountain?

* Would people thinking I’m dumb for thinking I could do this knowing how unfit I was?

* Would anyone support me or encourage me?

* Do I look out of place?

All of these thoughts kept running through my head, but I decided to just go no matter the outcome.

* The start: Waking up early and excited for that first hike and finding a cute hiking outfit (you know us females will always want to take pics LOL, so have to look the part). I looked like a hiker, up until 30 minutes into it SMH.

* The climb: I was told my first hike would be an easy trail. It was not as easy for me as it was for my hiking partner, who was a seasoned hiker. I was so unfit and had never done any hiking or any form of workout before, it was so difficult. I started slowly and it was fine, no problems until I reached an incline.

Wow, I felt like I was dying and ready to give up on life by the time I got to the part where the uphill battle ended. All of a sudden the sun was out in full force and it felt as though every possible hardship in getting up that damn mountain was thrown at me all at once.

* Reaching a milestone(big or small):Eventually, after I caught my breath and what I thought was a mini heart attack, it eased up. I was able to sit up and enjoy the view and see how all that effort to get to that point was so worth it.

The thing is, if after one hard day or a difficult patch, we decide to give up on what we want, we would be missing out on what could be. We could be missing out on something so beautiful and magical.

Just looking up at the steps ahead of me made me dizzy, but I knew that I would be ok (after downing a bottle of water and catching my breath).

It is the same when starting a business, we tend to feel excited to start and when we reach a difficult patch or one we did not prepare for, we seem to want to give up. We so easily forget the efforts it took to get to that level, and we forget that we can overcome it and move on from it.

If anyone is at that point, I hope you get up and continue climbing those steps to reach the top. Trust the journey to the top will get better and make your business better and stronger.

It is the same with hiking, every time we do it, we get better and stronger at it until it eventually becomes second nature. I still struggle with uphill so much (not sure when it will become easier for me), but I keep going back because the feeling you get from conquering it, in the end, is so worth it.

I wish each new entrepreneur all the best on this journey. Let’s tag all the amazing entrepreneurs we know and let them know that we see them and we are proud of their journey.

You are strong enough!!!