Have you ever had someone call out something that you were already insecure about, but then they said the quiet part out loud?

And it left you feeling slightly exposed, embarrassed and well... just stupid?

This happened to me today.

I got a YouTube notification on my phone today and was excited to check it. YouTube is a new platform that I'm using to drive traffic and learning about it, using it, and exploring with it has been really fun (most of the time).

I opened up my phone, opened YouTube, went to the notification section and immediately my face dropped. This is what I read:

So my heart sunk a little and my eyes teared up and I took a deep breath.

So you might be thinking, "Tears Jess, really? Get thicker skin."

And the truth is, I DO have thick skin. The problem is, this one sentence hit a nerve that I have already struggled with inside myself and as I am trying to grow on that platform. My OWN internal voice already tells me this- I didn't need someone else to tell me this.

So I responded to her, shook it off and moved forward. I know what I am trying to do with this brand, I know how skilled and how much experience I have and guess what? I'm not going to be for everyone.

But to me? 38 subscribers, is 38 subscribers! Imagine having a dinner party with 38 people. My house would be packed! And it would be so much fun. I'm proud of 38 subscribers and I value each and every person there. I'm not trying to grow a number just to grow a number.

I want an engaged community who enjoys my content and who I can get to know too!

I have been building businesses on social media for 15+ years. I have helped dozens of business owners to grow and get comfortable online when previous all they felt was overwhelmed. I have helped business owners to establish their branding on social media, drive traffic, and grow!

I haven't had a ton of extra time to start and grow a YouTube Channel.

But guess what? I'm doing it NOW. And you have to start somewhere. Every YouTuber who's grown a brand had 38 subscribers at one point too! So I'm not going to allow one person who doesn't know me at all, to discourage me from sharing my knowledge and heart no matter how big or small my platform is.

Ultimately, that is my ENTIRE heart. If I can help teach you how to drive the right traffic, you won't give up. You'll start seeing likes turn into livelihood and clicks to clients. But getting started is hard, challenging, and everyone is a critic, apparently.

Well, I want you to feel SAFE here in this Content Maven Community. When you're here, you can count on being encouraged. I want you to know that no matter the length of time you've had your business, you CAN do it. We don't need naysayers to remind us about what our weaknesses are.

We are doing that enough to ourselves, right? (we need to stop though.)

If you feel stuck, scared to start or ready to quit, just know that I see and feel you. I've been doing this a long time, and words still can stick me the wrong way sometime.

Here's the deal though: You have a light in your heart and a gift to give with your business that no one else does. There will be many setbacks and roadblocks along the way. Don't allow them to let you truly throw in the towel.

Find the people the feel like light, link arms with them, and keep going. No matter what you're facing this week, you've got this! I believe in you and I'm here for you.

Don't give up!

And if you want to, I'd love to have you subscribe to my YouTube channel. ;)

See you next week!

Jess xo