Start Before You Know ow.

At times, I feel overwhelmed by the multitude of choices before me, worried that making the wrong decision could lead to disaster. To avoid making a choice, I often find myself distracting my mind. My mornings follow a familiar routine: I wake up at 7 a.m., do some exercise, prepare a nice breakfast, and eat an apple. My favorite part is savoring a cup of coffee, followed by a walk where I brainstorm new ideas. However, during these walks, doubts flood my mind—am I making the right choices? Do I really know what I'm doing? How will it all come together? My thoughts race, even though it may not appear that way. For a time, I was free from making choices, until I realized I wanted something different. I first picked up a camera in 2018 and was captivated by images that expressed emotions. I quickly discovered that I had much to learn about photography but was determined to try. Each day, I ventured out to capture photos that resonated with me. Over the years, I worked hard to land significant jobs and elevate my photography, but success eluded me. I often felt like giving up, questioning if I had made the right choice. Yet, I persisted, and five years later, I was asked to photograph a Grammy-winning artist. I felt unprepared for this opportunity, as I had always viewed my skills as beginner-level. Having never been on a film set, I felt like I was stepping into uncharted territory. Still, I focused on taking photos that conveyed emotion, just as I had done before. It’s incredible to reflect on how much I have grown simply by showing up and striving to learn each day. Looking back, I realize that the fears and doubts associated with starting something new may not fully disappear; they can transform into new worries. However, when you push through, you find that these fears lack real significance, propelling you toward your next attempt, even if it doesn’t go as planned. I’ve always aspired to build a brand, and after spending several years in photography, my friend Meredith and I decided to establish a brand that would connect creative individuals. We named it Made by Saturday. Our mission was straightforward: to create a community for friends and creatives alike. Lacking any prior experience, we were unsure of how to begin. Without specific expectations, our primary aim was to gather people, and we succeeded. We designed shirts and sweaters and organized our first promotional event, which turned out to be a success. Musicians, bartenders, and many friends attended, and we sold out of everything we made. Following that initial event, Meredith and I were eager to regroup, but I had mistakenly set unrealistic expectations for myself. The taste of success skewed my perspective, and I became fearful of being perceived as a failure. This led me to play it safe and disagree with Meredith’s ideas, as I hesitated to try anything that might not be perfect. I learned that in the early stages of any new venture, you will struggle, and accepting this reality grants you the freedom to explore and experiment.