The story as it is today

I used to wear mostly clothing from thrift stores. It was what I could afford, but more than that, it was interesting and unique, which was what I aspired to be. (John Margolies)

Back when I first started teaching music lessons in Atlanta, I was a little self-conscious about my circumstances.

I lived in a small, run-down apartment with no central air conditioning and a bad parking situation. Piano lessons, I taught in the bedroom, and guitar lessons were in the living room.

I talked about this arrangement as little as possible — I wanted to change it as soon as I could. Eventually, I did. Now, hundreds of music lessons per week happen in the three studio locations of my music school.

I figured out a long time ago that the contrast between my early experiences in Atlanta and the eventual improvement in my situation was an appealing origin story I could tell. Scrappiness is cute in retrospect.

What I’ve come to understand more recently is that the story you tell along the way can be appealing, too. I could have documented and talked about my journey as it was happening instead of trying to rush through it or minimize the awkward parts. The process of growing and learning and figuring out is one that other people can learn from and root for.

Granted, the earliest part of my entrepreneurship experience took place in a time when there was no social media, YouTube, or even blogs. But the medium wasn’t the issue. Regardless of where and when I talked about it, I needed to proudly embrace and celebrate the experience of being exactly where I was.

What’s becoming clear to me from conversations with young, aspiring entrepreneurs is that, even though they could be sharing their experiences, they’re feeling the same pressure I did to show up fully formed. But I believe that if they try to skip to the part where they seem like they have it all figured out, they’re missing out on an opportunity to connect meaningfully with people who can benefit from hearing their unique story as it is today.

Their peers will feel less alone as they hear perspectives they can relate to. Those of us who are more established will see former selves in the experiences of these younger entrepreneurs and feel moved to offer support and encouragement.

And inevitably, the even younger, less experienced ones will feel inspired and be grateful to have someone to look up to and learn from.

This kind of meaningful connection with other people doesn’t come from faking it. It comes from vulnerability, authenticity, and sincerity. It comes from being willing to share what you’re working through and how you’re coping. It comes from showing up as yourself, wherever you are.

One of the things that’s so magical about the time we’re living in is that we aren’t just seeing the most polished professionals who have been vetted by major networks, record labels, or publishing companies. We’re seeing anyone who is willing to put themselves out there. And together, these people are changing the narratives we’ve taken for granted about what success looks like, how it is achieved, and who achieves it. Any of us can participate in that.

The aspiring entrepreneur can talk about the process of exploring possibilities for the business she intends to start.

The fledgling artist can give us a peek behind the scenes.

The student of herbal medicine can share what she’s learning, day by day.

We don’t have to show up as though we’re already a finished product. We can embody who we are today, sharing the story that goes along with that. It’s not as glamorous, but it’s more real and relatable — and that is just as likely to win us friends, fans, and champions as the story we tell when we’ve reached our definition of success. Perhaps even more likely.