I’m gonna be real with you—I have no idea what I’m doing half the time.
Running a brand? Designing collections? Navigating manufacturers, logistics, marketing, and everything in between? Some days, I feel like I’ve got it all figured out. Other days, I feel like I’m just winging it and hoping no one notices.
And that’s when Impostor Syndrome kicks in.
What is Impostor Syndrome?
It’s that little voice in your head that whispers:
- “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
- “Everyone else is better at this than you.”
- “Any success you have is just luck.”
Basically, it’s the feeling that you don’t deserve to be where you are—that sooner or later, someone’s going to find out you’re a fraud.
And it’s crazy because so many successful people feel this way. Entrepreneurs, artists, even celebrities. Hell, I guarantee even the biggest fashion designers have moments where they think, What if people realize I’m just making it up as I go?
The Myth of “Being Ready”
Here’s the truth: No one ever feels 100% ready.
- No one starts a business fully prepared.
- No designer knows exactly what will sell.
- No creative ever feels like they’ve made it.
We’re all figuring it out as we go. The difference between the people who succeed and the ones who don’t? They keep going anyway.
How This Affects TENKU (And You)
There were so many moments where I thought:
- Maybe I should wait until I have more experience before launching this brand.
- Maybe I should take another design course before I release this collection.
- Maybe I should get more “credibility” before I put myself out there.
But waiting for the perfect moment? It’s just another way to procrastinate.
If I let Impostor Syndrome win, TENKU wouldn’t exist. And if you let it win, you might never chase the thing you’ve always wanted to do—whether that’s starting something, changing careers, or just taking a risk on yourself.
How to Shut Down Impostor Syndrome
- Realize that no one knows what they’re doing. Seriously. Everyone is making it up as they go. Even the people you look up to.
- Do it before you’re ready. You’ll learn more by actually doing than by waiting to feel “prepared.”
- Remember that confidence comes from action. The more you do something, the more legit you become. There’s no magic switch—you just have to start.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to go after something—even if you feel like you don’t “deserve” it yet—this is it.
I’m building this brand in real time, learning as I go, and figuring it out just like everyone else. And honestly? That’s part of the fun.
You don’t need permission. You don’t need credentials. You just need to start.
