By Rebecca Paxton, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of My Front Porch, My Front Porch
If you’re thinking about starting a business, pursuing a creative project, or shifting your career but waiting for the “right time”, you’re not alone. Many women delay their goals, telling themselves they need more time, more clarity, or more confidence. But here’s the truth: the perfect moment rarely arrives.
What matters more than timing is the willingness to start imperfectly, gradually, and with what you already have. Whether you’re navigating family life, leaving a corporate job, or exploring a passion on the side, here are three practical ways to stop waiting and start building.
1. Use the Skills You Already Have
You don’t have to reinvent yourself to become an entrepreneur. In fact, the skills you’ve built in your current or past career, organization, communication, project planning and customer service are incredibly valuable.
Instead of focusing on what you lack, take inventory of what you bring to the table. Maybe you’re great at managing details, leading times or understanding people. Those skills are the foundation of any successful business, especially when you’re starting small.
Make a list of your strengths from past roles. Then ask: how can I apply these to a business or project I care about?
2. Start Small and Observe
You don’t need a five-year plan, a perfect logo, or a team of investors to begin. Sometimes the smartest move is to take one small action: test an idea, ask a question or talk to your community.
For seasonal or local businesses, simply observing what’s happening around you, what people are buying, decorating with or talking about can offer powerful insights. Talk to your friends. Look at trends in your neighborhood. Use curiously as your starting point.
Don’t wait for everything to be figured out. A simple prototype, sample offer, or weekend project can spark momentum.
3. Ask for Help Early
Trying to do everything yourself might feel noble, but it can quickly lead to burnout. There’s strength in recognizing where you need support and bringing in people with the skills you don’t have yet.
Whether it’s a website designer, photographer, accountant, or even a friend with an eye for branding, seeking help can accelerate your growth and prevent costly mistakes. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a smart strategy.
Make a list of the areas you struggle with or avoid. Ask: “Who could help me do this faster, better or more efficiently?”
No Perfect Moment: Just the Present One
Waiting for a moment when the kids are older, life is calmer, or the stars align perfectly can delay your dreams indefinitely. The most powerful thing you can do is start with what you have today.
Your imperfect first step could be something truly meaningful. The key is to move, not wait.
