What Makes Someone Credible?

I worked at a photography company before creating my own.

Some of the employees were confused because I didn't have an art degree.

But ya know what?

My clients never asked if I had an art degree. They looked at my photographs. They heard from other people that I was great to work with. Then they hired me.

I have spent years building a business, solving problems, making mistakes, figuring things out, and helping other business owners do the same.

What's interesting is that the people around me cared about the degree.

The customers cared about the result.

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I think a lot of people build a staircase of credentials, approvals, and prerequisites between themselves and the thing they want.

They assume those steps are what make them credible.

What if you're waiting for something that isn't actually required?

The certification.

The title.

The approval.

If you make beautiful furniture, you don't need a business degree before selling a chair.

If you make incredible cakes, you don't need culinary school before opening a bakery.

Sometimes we give a piece of paper credit for things that actually came from experience, effort, and skill.

Yes, some professions require licenses, certifications, and formal training.

And education is absolutely a wonderful thing.

But if you have a skill, can create value, and are willing to learn as you go, you may be closer than you think.

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You could spend years preparing.

Or a Saturday trying.

Make the chairs and bring them to a farmer's market.

Because the truth is, nobody knows if the chair becomes a furniture company.

You don't get that information from another credential.

You get it from starting.