Building the Bridge as You Cross It
Why Starting Bold Means Growing Smart
When I talk to women who have started their own companies or brands, a story comes up again and again: almost none of them had a clear roadmap at the beginning. They didn’t know exactly how they were going to make their ideas work, how they would gain clients, or how they would grow. What they all share is a willingness to start before they were fully ready. They learned along the way, adjusted their strategies, and discovered their strengths in real time. This concept of “building the bridge as you cross it” is central to their stories. They didn’t wait for clarity to appear, they created it by moving forward.
Many of these women described their early days as messy, filled with trial and error. They experimented with different approaches, made mistakes, and sometimes doubted whether they were even on the right path. One common refrain I’ve heard is this: “The best way to start is by doing, just start putting your ideas out there.” It isn’t about being reckless; it’s about taking the first step, learning from what works, and iterating as you go. The bridge only becomes clear once you start laying it, one step at a time.
What stands out in these conversations is how quickly they realized that perfection was never going to get them anywhere. Your first version is almost always imperfect. That’s not a failure, it is part of the process. Trying something, even if it doesn’t go perfectly, provides you with invaluable knowledge. You learn what strategies resonate, which tasks you enjoy most, and what areas need improvement. Over time, these experiences accumulate and form the foundation of the brand or business you’ve always dreamed of building.
Another key lesson these women shared is the importance of learning from others. Working for someone else first, watching what they do well, noticing what could be improved, and then taking those insights into your own business can save years of trial and error. Even when strategies and approaches from others don’t fit exactly, the process of observing, analyzing, and adapting is essential. One size does not fit all, but studying other successes and mistakes helps you create your own path more efficiently.
Finally, what emerges from all these stories is a common thread of confidence born from action. Starting bold, experimenting, and learning as you go builds more understanding and skill than planning ever could. It teaches resilience, adaptability, and creativity. It reminds you that you don’t need to know everything before you begin, and that momentum comes from movement, not preparation alone.
What is one project or idea you have been waiting to start until you feel fully ready, and what could happen if you took the first step this week?
Follow How She’s Doing It for more in-depth conversations, lessons from women who have built their brands, and practical advice you can apply to your own journey.
