Let’s get one thing straight: my businesses weren’t built in a perfect storefront with hours of uninterrupted focus and unlimited resources.
It was built in coffee shops, with a lukewarm latte, Wi-Fi that sometimes cut out, and a to-do list scribbled on the back of a Target receipt. It was built in the 90 minutes between school drop-off and cheer practice, during moments when most people would’ve said, “I’ll wait until life calms down.”
Spoiler: life never calms down.
The Myth of Perfect Timing
We convince ourselves that once the kids are older, once the schedule feels lighter, once we’ve “healed” from whatever we’ve been through—that’s when we’ll finally have space to chase our dreams.
But healing isn’t a finish line. Neither is entrepreneurship. Both are messy, nonlinear, and full of detours. If I had waited to feel fully healed, fully ready, or fully organized, I’d still be waiting.
The truth? You learn as you go. You heal while you build. You grow while you create.
Healing and Building at the Same Time
There were days I doubted myself so hard I almost quit. Days where the weight of heartbreak, trauma, and self-doubt sat heavier than my laptop. Days when showing up for my business meant sitting in my car after crying, taking a deep breath, and deciding to post anyway.
And yet…that’s where the real transformation happened. The healing and the building weren’t separate journeys. They fed each other. Every step forward in business was proof I could keep going in life, and every piece of healing gave me more strength to show up for my dreams.
Why Community Matters
Trying to heal and build at the same time is lonely if you’re doing it alone.
That’s why community matters. Having women around you who reflect back your strength on the days you can’t see it yourself, that’s how you keep moving. They remind you that your messy action is still valid, your healing doesn’t disqualify you, and your chaos can still hold space for success.
A Reminder for You
If you’ve been waiting to feel perfectly healed, perfectly ready, or perfectly resourced before you start—stop.
Start in the chaos. Start in the middle of your healing. Start in the carpool line with a coffee that’s gone cold. Start even if your hands are still shaking from the hard thing you just went through.
Because if I can build a business in coffee shops between school drop-off and cheer practice, while healing from heartbreak and piecing myself back together—so can you.
Your future self isn’t waiting for you to be perfect. She’s waiting for you to begin.
Caitlin Thomas is the Founder of Beyond Boss, a professional photographer, and a mama of two. She is passionate about helping other women make more time for living and enjoying life, without sacrificing their dreams and ambitions.
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