The Courage To Take One More Step

Ever feel like you're putting everything into your business only to fall short of expectations? That's exactly where I found myself at the Skowhegan Fair this year. After days of watching people walk past my booth, enduring stretches of 5-6 hours without a single sale, I had to make a critical mental shift that entrepreneurs rarely talk about: redefining what success looks like mid-journey.

When my original sales goals became clearly unattainable, I set new targets that would still represent meaningful progress rather than defeat. Fighting for every sale, I managed to hit my adjusted goal by exactly $50 in the final minutes of the fair's last day. This wasn't the triumph I'd initially imagined, but it taught me something profound about entrepreneurial resilience.

The most valuable outcome wasn't financial at all, but the people I met – particularly Isaiah, an 18-year-old with exceptional work ethic who approached business with remarkable discipline. "For every hour I spend having fun," he told me, "I'll do one thing I don't want to do to build my business." His perspective was exactly the inspiration I needed while navigating my own challenges.

As I prepare for the Windsor Fair and eventually Fryeburg (my season's biggest event), I'm facing serious inventory challenges and supplier delays. I've had to make tough decisions, including canceling a planned event to better position myself for success where it matters most. These choices reflect a maturing business perspective – understanding that courage isn't making one dramatic leap but taking consistent small steps forward despite fear and uncertainty.

If you're fighting for your own business dreams right now, remember that perseverance often looks less like heroic victories and more like quiet determination to simply take the next step. Check out our American-made products at loudproudamerican.com and share your own entrepreneurial journey with us on social media!

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