Meet the Maker: Beth Builds
Tell us about how you got started. I actually kind of fell into it. I’d been working in retail since I was a teenager, managing big stores, running teams and all that, but I wasn’t...
FROM THE FOUNDER: The mental cost of building a start-up
Creating this business was a dream I chewed on whilst on job sites as a cute, chubby, wistful & out-of-place young woman. To see it take off and be embraced by you all has been one of the greatest achievements of my life.
It’s also been some of the most tumultuous 6 years of my life. I’ve gotta say it’s been 1000% worth it, every step of the bumpy way. Here are 3 ugly bits I never saw coming, it’s the stuff no one can prepare you for:
IMPOSTER SYNDROME
I feel that this is the first obstacle that anyone trying to step outside of their comfort zone will encounter.It’s the silent dream killer - the hurdle that will trip you at the gate and stop you even getting off the couch. What I learnt early on is that it’s unavoidable, the doubts that you're a fake or a fraud will never leave you, because there will always be innumerable mistakes and negative voices (from inside and out) willing to prove the imposter theory correct. The trick is to own your own naivety, doubt and weaknesses and lean into those with experience and wisdom.
BURNOUT
The thing about starting a business is that you can never put it down, not really, well, at least I haven’t got to that stage yet. When things are stressful, that stress follows you into your sleep (or lack thereof) and you’ll find it in the mirror, and even in your child’s face. Quite frankly, it’s annoying and can quickly become a bit stifling. Having really good strategies to cope with stress is integral - whether it’s calling that ‘always optimistic’ person (my Dad in my case), cold showers or great, absorbing films - you've gotta have an arsenal. And you gotta take holidays regularly (easier said than done.)
THE HATERS
One thing I was absolutely not prepared for was the hateful keyboard warriors. In the first few weeks, I encountered them, and I very quickly had to learn to process the unfiltered negativity (and oftentimes outright aggression) if I was going to continue. I actuallydon’t have a trick here, I think after a time, and the unkind comments and emails stack up, your skin gets thicker and you learn to hear the useful feedback through the aggressive tone and focus your energy on the (much more plentiful) encouraging and positive comments and messages - because after all, that is your community and who you are building things for. And nothing is ever truer than: ‘haters gonna hate’,ain’t nothing you can do about that, but you can choose not to be one yourself.
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