Imposter syndrome affects far more entrepreneurs than you might think. I myself have long felt this unease: this feeling of not belonging, of not having the legitimacy to run my business (I was 24 when I started it), and above all, this feeling of being too young and lacking credibility.
I remember when I first started selling my jewelry. My accountant and other brands in the industry had recommended a certain price to ensure a decent return. Yet, I couldn't live up to it. I felt almost guilty, convinced that my creations weren't worth that price. I was afraid of being judged, of being considered pretentious, or worse, that my customers would realize that I "wasn't worth it"... This feeling is typical of imposter syndrome.
But why do we feel this way? This syndrome can take many forms. Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome
1. Never Acknowledging Your Success
Even after achieving our goals, we struggle to take credit for our success. We prefer to believe it was a stroke of luck, an opportunity that fell from the sky, or simply a happy accident. For a long time, I minimized my own victories, thinking that if I had achieved what I had achieved, it was necessarily because circumstances had favored me, and not thanks to my hard work.
2. The Feeling of Being Overestimated
When you're an entrepreneur, those around you sometimes admire you for daring to take the plunge. Yet, deep down, we struggle to accept these compliments. "It's not that incredible," I often told myself. "After all, I'm just doing my job like everyone else." This need to minimize one's journey is another facet of imposter syndrome.
3. Fear of Not Being Competent Enough
Whether at the beginning of our careers or at each new milestone, this thought often comes up: "Why do they trust me? I'm not sure I'm up to it." This fear can become paralyzing, as it causes us to doubt our abilities, even in the face of objective proof of our competence. And at the same time, at least it did for me, it can be a driving force and give us the means to always go further.
4. Fear of Being Unmasked
The anxiety of thinking that one day someone will realize that we "don't really know what we're doing" is a recurring fear for many entrepreneurs. This feeling of usurping our place, of having deceived everyone, can create constant stress and prevent us from fully enjoying our successes.
How did I learn to combat imposter syndrome?
After several years, I've taken concrete steps to free myself from them. It's not an instant process, but over time, I've learned to better manage these intrusive thoughts.
1. Recognize and celebrate my successes
I've gotten into the habit of writing down my victories, even the smallest ones, in a notebook. Whenever I feel doubt, I reread these notes and realize how far I've come. Remembering our successes helps us understand that they aren't a coincidence, but rather the result of our hard work.
2. Change my perception of compliments
Before, I tended to dodge or minimize compliments. Now, I accept them and see them as encouragement to continue. The positive feedback from my clients and those around me is a real source of motivation.
3. Accept that mistakes are part of the process
For a long time, I believed that making a mistake meant I wasn't competent enough. Today, I see things differently: every mistake is a learning opportunity. No one knows everything, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
4. Be confident in the quality of my work and my partners
One of the key steps in overcoming my imposter syndrome was being fully convinced of the quality of my jewelry and my manufacturers. I went through some difficult experiences, particularly with some manufacturers who provided poor quality, especially when it came to jewelry plating. They told me it wasn't their fault, but mine, that I wasn't Hermès and that I shouldn't have to demand their level of quality, especially since I had little experience.
But instead of letting myself be overwhelmed by these comments, these situations actually pushed me to be more demanding and to surround myself with better people. By selecting reliable partners and having confidence in the quality of my products, I gradually reduced my imposter syndrome. Today, I am proud of what I offer, and this helps me assert the value of my work.
5. Draw inspiration from role models and mentors
What helped me enormously was listening to the stories of other entrepreneurs who experienced the same doubts. Pauline Laigneau, founder of Gemmyo, greatly influenced my outlook, as did the book "À nous la liberté" by Christophe André, Alexandre Jollien, and Matthieu Ricard. I also found a lot of inspiration in the podcasts of Marianna's Women Empowerment School channel.
My advice for those just starting out and experiencing this syndrome
Accept that doubt is part of the journey. It's normal to feel these fears, but they don't define your worth.
Surround yourself with caring people. Talking with other entrepreneurs who understand what you're going through can be a great support.
Value your work. Setting a fair price for your work isn't pretentious; it's respect for your talent and your time.
Keep learning. The more skills and experience you gain, the more your self-confidence will naturally grow.
Dare to congratulate yourself. Every success, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated.
Conclusion
Imposter syndrome isn't inevitable. It's a misperception that can be deconstructed with time and concrete action. You deserve your successes. Your work has value. And above all, you deserve to occupy the space you've created for yourself.
So, the next time doubt creeps in, remember: you're not alone, and you're much more competent than you think.
Alexandra 🤍
