Fluff Ends Up in Trash Cans. Do Real Things.

The single scariest part of becoming an entrepreneur I've found is the very thing that draws me to it. The world isn't going to congratulate you, pay you, or even acknowledge you for coming up with something mediocre or incremental (unless you're a giant company with an established brand). You have to draw people in. And the way you do that is what I think is so important.

When I started working on this project of creating my own lifestyle, I knew deep down that I had value I could provide to the world because I tend to think about things differently. I constantly come up with ideas that everyone around me says "hey you've got a great idea there, you should do it!"

And after I started chasing that dream during the end of college, you get this honeymoon-style euphoria that you are about to hit it big, and all your worries will go away. But it doesn't work like that. To live off of an idea, you first have to create something that people beyond your mom and close friends will get excited about.

And that's where the fear hits. All of the insecurities of creating real value you might have been able to talk away while working at your safe job come rushing right back. Suddenly you're adrift in a sea of opportunity and the only thing that matters is that you find the land of real value. It's then that you realize how most companies and products are just pumping out what sells, not necessarily what really makes the world a better place. In other words: they're having the same problems as you.

Do you really think that redesigned hair drier is going to make people's lives better? Or is it just pretty enough to make the impulsive crowd want it for their bathroom? When looking for a product to chase, I am always mindful of the actual benefit. Is this actually better? Does this make their life more complicated? While it's taking me longer to get going, it's a price I'm willing to pay, and I think you should too.

Fluff ends up in trash cans. Do real things.