If you think that building a business is going to bring the masses rushing in—especially from your friends and family—think again.
Whether it's a business, a creative project, or anything you’re pouring your heart into, one thing becomes painfully clear: you will see who your real supporters are. The people who truly want to see you win will show up, and those who don’t? Well, their silence says everything.
I remember when I first bought my business. I was overjoyed, filled with so much excitement about what was to come. I imagined the outpouring of support from friends and family, people stopping by, sharing my posts, hyping me up. But reality hit differently.
When I first announced my business, I barely got any engagement. I invited people to come visit, to support, to be part of this journey with me—and it was crickets. It was disheartening. It made me realize two things:
- Not everyone is actually happy for you.
- No one owes you support.
And that second one? That was the biggest lesson of all. You have to keep going with or without anyone clapping for you. You cannot rely on the approval, validation, or participation of others.
I’ll never forget the moment that solidified this for me. Months after my initial posts asking for support, I ran into an old friend at Costco. They greeted me with enthusiasm: “Hey! How have you been?! You bought that store in Lincoln Park, right?! I saw pictures!”
Insanity. Because guess what? That person had never liked, commented, or acknowledged my posts in any way. Yet, they were watching.
That’s when it hit me—people are paying attention, even if they’re not showing it. And honestly? That motivated me even more.
It’s also wild how much support I’ve gotten from strangers compared to people I thought would be in my corner. And you know what? That’s okay. The right people will find you. The right community will embrace you. The key is to keep going, even when it feels like no one is cheering.
So if you’re building something—a business, a brand, a dream—don’t get discouraged. Keep showing up, keep putting in the work, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself. Because trust me, people are watching. And when you succeed? They’ll all remember that they saw it coming.
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Alejandra