Stop Letting Fear Run Your Business: A Founder’s Guide
Fear. Anxiety. Insecurity. As entrepreneurs, these emotions can either drive us forward or hold us back—but too often, they stall our growth without us even realizing it. In this episode, Jaime Gennaro, founder of Practica Consulting, dives into the emotional side of entrepreneurship, sharing insights on how to recognize fear, unpack the stories behind it, and take purposeful action despite it.
Fear Can Either Drive You or Stop You
Think about it: fear can manifest as procrastination, overworking, or avoiding decisions that are uncomfortable but necessary. When fear becomes the lens through which we view our business, it clouds judgment and keeps us from making rational, impactful choices.
The first step is to notice when fear is showing up. Ask yourself:
Am I procrastinating because I’m scared of failing?
Am I overworking to avoid feeling uncertain?
What story am I telling myself that’s fueling this fear?
Emotions Are Not Facts
One of the biggest traps entrepreneurs fall into is letting the story behind an emotion become fact. You might tell yourself:
“I don’t know how to get cold leads, so my business is stuck.”
“January is slow; that means I’m failing.”
These stories feel real, but they’re not facts. The facts are:
You have a business.
You have clients.
You have skills and successes you’ve already achieved.
Separating the story from the fact is crucial. When you do this, fear loses its grip, and you can take deliberate action instead of reacting emotionally.
Identify Patterns and Shift Your Response
Pay attention to recurring patterns in your behavior:
Do you procrastinate whenever there’s a slowdown in business?
Do you overwork when things get busy?
Do you get caught in anxiety loops instead of making decisions?
These patterns often stem from fear or insecurity. Once you recognize them, you can start responding differently. For example:
Acknowledge the emotion without judgment.
Identify the story behind the emotion.
Separate fact from story.
Double down on what’s working in your business.
Take one small, intentional action today to keep momentum.
Even something as simple as sending an email, posting on LinkedIn, or registering for an event can keep your business moving forward despite fear.
The Personal Journey of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is deeply personal. It’s not just about revenue—it’s about growth, reflection, and evolving as a leader. Understanding how your emotions affect your business allows you to:
Make better decisions.
Improve your relationships with clients and teams.
Stay grounded during slow or stressful periods.
Run your business in a way that feels sustainable, not like a grind.
When you build awareness of your patterns and take intentional action, you create a business that’s resilient, stable, and purpose-driven.
Take the Next Step: Join the Aligned Growth Collective
If you’re ready to take control of your business and your emotions, you don’t have to do it alone. The Aligned Growth Collective is a community for entrepreneurs who want sustainable, purpose-led growth. It’s a place to:
Connect with other business owners.
Get coaching and guidance.
Have a thought partner for ideas, challenges, and opportunities.
Grow your business in a way that supports your life, team, and community.
This isn’t about growth for growth’s sake or profit for profit’s sake—it’s about fulfilling your full potential and creating real impact.
👉 Learn more and join the Aligned Growth Collective here: practica.consulting/agc
