11 Ways to Build Confidence as a Creative Business Owner

Confidence isn’t some magic trait reserved for the spotlight-loving extroverts. Nope. It’s a learnable skill (promise!) that ANY creative business owner can develop – yes, even if you still cringe at the idea of showing your face on Instagram. If you’ve ever stalled on a launch, second-guessed your prices, or ghosted your own email list because you didn’t feel “ready”… welcome, friend. You are so not alone!

As a creative entrepreneur with over 20 years in the trenches (and a hefty collection of business battle stories), I can tell you this: confidence grows every time you take a small, brave step. Let’s walk through 11 of those steps together, shall we?

1. Start Before You Feel Ready (Yes, Even If You're Freaking Out)

You are NEVER going to feel 100% ready to launch that product, give that talk, or open your digital (or literal) doors. Something will always feel unfinished. But here’s the magic: launching before you're “ready” lets you incorporate feedback, evolve quickly, and sometimes?

Create something even better than your original vision. Progress > perfection. Every time!

2. Create a “Confidence File” You Can Reread on Tough Days

I call mine the Happy Mail File – a folder filled with lovely emails, DMs, and reviews from clients and friends. On the days when Imposter Syndrome shows up in yoga pants with snacks (rude), this is where I go.

Flip through those messages and remind yourself: you’re doing great, sister!

3. Learn to Talk About What You Do Without Cringing

It can feel SO awkward to talk about your business (especially if you’re multi-passionate or still figuring things out). The trick? Ask your friends, clients, and fam what they think you do well.

Their words can become your new elevator pitch – no horn-tooting required!

4. Celebrate Tiny Wins Like They’re Giant Milestones

Remember in school when gold stars were a thing? WHY did we stop doing that?! Every little win counts. Sent the newsletter? Gold star. Showed up on stories even though you were sweaty from gardening? Fireworks.

Confidence is built in these small celebrations, not just the big wins!

5. Show Your Face (Even If You’d Rather Hide Behind Your Logo)

Faceless marketing sounds dreamy, right? But people buy from PEOPLE. You don’t have to post selfies daily, but find ways to show your face that feel good to you – a photo in your studio, a behind-the-scenes peek, a voiceover Reel.

Your audience wants to know you!

6. Set Micro Goals That Are Impossible to Fail

Want to feel like a total boss? Set three teeny, actually doable goals for your to do list each day and don’t do anything else until they’re done. You’ll start racking up wins like a pinball machine.

And yes, I’m obsessed with this trick because it works. Every. Time!

7. Curate Your Circle – Confidence Is Contagious

You don’t need 1,000 business friends. You need a few solid ones. My business babe posse includes a sales genius, a strategy whiz, and a mindset queen. We lift each other up, swap advice, and laugh a LOT.

Surround yourself with folks who share your values but bring different strengths!

8. Say “Thank You” Instead of Shrinking from Compliments

How many times have you deflected a compliment with, “Oh, it was nothing” or “I just got lucky”? NOPE. Not anymore. Next time, smile and say THANK YOU. That’s it. You have strengths. You are talented.

Accepting praise is part of owning your brilliance!

9. Reframe Failure as Proof You’re In the Arena

Let’s borrow this gem from (a slightly edited) Teddy Roosevelt: “The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood…” If someone’s not also out here building a biz, their criticism doesn’t get to count.

You’re brave just for showing up!

10. Keep Learning… but Don’t Wait to “Know It All” to Start

As women, we often feel like we need to know 100% before we make a move. Meanwhile, there are dudes out there launching $3,000 courses with 40% of the knowledge and a whole lotta confidence. Let’s flip the script. Learn as you go.

You are more ready than you think!

11. Visualize Her – Your Future Self Who Already Knows She’s Got This

I am a HUGE fan of affirmations. Picture your future self: the one who’s confident, calm, cashing checks, and living her best creative life. What does she wear? How does she talk?

Start stepping into her energy today – even if it's just by wearing lipstick on a Zoom call!

You don't have to wait for confidence to arrive before you take action. You build it through action.

So whether you're launching your next offer or just trying to post on Instagram without spiraling, these tools can help you build real, sustainable confidence – the kind that grows with you. Remember: confidence isn’t the absence of fear, it’s deciding to go for it anyway!

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