Big Dreams, Small Starts: Why Small Steps Lead to Big Impact
You don’t need perfect conditions —real growth starts in the cracks.
Starting Small Doesn’t Mean Small Impact
I walked past this tiny tree growing in the middle of a cracked sidewalk last week. It wasn’t much to look at, thin, scrappy, and definitely out of place. But somehow, it was thriving. Not because the conditions were perfect, but because it started anyway.
That tree made me think about starting my business. You know, the messy, unpolished, trying-to-figure-out-what-the-heck-I’m-doing kind of start. It’s not exactly Instagram-worthy. But here’s what I’ve learned: growth doesn’t wait for perfect conditions.
The Pressure to Be Big
Social media loves to tell you that success has to come with fireworks, champagne, and a viral Instagram post about how you made six figures in six minutes. The glossy, polished, instant success stories that make it seem like everyone is killing it except you.
What they don’t show you? The awkward starts, the small wins, and the months (or years) of trial and error it took to get there. That tree in the sidewalk? It didn’t pop up overnight. It grew in quiet, messy moments that no one paid attention to.
Why Starting Small Works
We tend to glorify the big wins, but small steps are where the real magic happens.
They Let You Learn as You Grow: Starting small gives you space to experiment, pivot, and figure things out.
They Build Momentum: Each little win—sending an email, completing a task, crossing off a to-do—fuels the next step.
They Keep You Focused: Starting small forces you to be intentional. You can’t rush greatness, but you can build it piece by piece.
The Myth of Overnight Success
That six-figure entrepreneur? They didn’t just wake up successful. Their tree was planted long before you ever saw it.
The big milestones we celebrate—the sold-out launches, the viral moments, the packed schedules - they’re all built on tiny actions that add up over time. And honestly, skipping the small steps only leads to burnout and overcomplicated processes.
Own Where You’re At
There’s no shame in starting small. It doesn’t make your dream less valid. It doesn’t mean you’re less capable. It just means you’re building something thoughtful, sustainable, and uniquely yours.
So let’s stop glorifying the “big” and start celebrating the small. Because big things? They’re made of small, consistent, totally doable steps.
What I’m Learning
Starting my business feels a lot like being that scrappy little tree. I don’t have everything figured out yet, but I’m showing up. I’m:
- Writing the emails no one might read (yet).
- Talking about my ideas, even when it feels awkward.
- Taking one step at a time, trusting that the cracks will turn into roots.
What’s Your First Step?
Here’s the truth: starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. It means you’re smart enough to build something sustainable. The messy, imperfect beginnings? That’s where the magic starts.
So, what’s one tiny, unpolished step you’ve taken toward your dream? Let’s share and celebrate. Because every tree starts as a seed—and every big impact starts with someone brave enough to begin.
The most important thing is to just start!
I started my business because I wanted to help heart-centered business owners be more visible and feel good about marketing. That's the only thing I was sure of. I had some ideas about how I would do this but most of my first year has been about a lot of experimentation and listening to what my best fit people want. Also how to talk about what I do in ways that resonate with my audience.
Lots and lots of trial and error. And no immediate "OMG this is the answer moments"! It is very much a step by step with occasional wins and encouragement. I really wish there was more conversation about this slow, sometimes slogging, part of starting a business which can last for years.
If someone tried to write a show about what it really looks like building a business like mine no one would watch it because it would be so boring.
It's not glamorous or exciting but it can be very satisfying and feels to me like small acts of love and devotion to something I care deeply about. I've also met so many cool, interesting people I learn from. The people I meet is definitely one of my joys.
Let's just say I'd rather be doing this than sitting at a desk from 9 to 5 in service to Building Shareholder Wealth for people I'll never meet.