Stuck Dreaming About Your Business? Here's What's Really Holding You Back

If you're interested in launching your first online course but don't know what to teach, I've got something special for you. My brand new free course "The 90 Minute Blueprint Builder" will take you from stuck to crystal clear in just 90 minutes. You can grab it inside my Raw Launch Lab community.

Starting your own business should be exciting.

But for many pastors and Christian leaders, it feels overwhelming.

Even terrifying.

I get it. I've been there myself.

The truth is, most people never take that first step not because they lack the skills or the calling, but because of invisible barriers that hold them back.

Let me share the most common reasons why people hesitate to start their own business—and more importantly, how you can push through them.

1. Fear of Financial Failure

This is the big one.

The fear that you'll lose money you can't afford to lose.

That you'll jeopardize your family's security.

That you'll end up worse off than when you started.

Here's what I've learned: you don't need a massive investment to start. Some of the most successful businesses I know started with less than £500.

The key is starting small and building gradually.

Test your idea before you invest heavily.

2. "I Don't Know Enough Yet"

Imposter syndrome hits hard when you're thinking about starting a business.

"Who am I to teach this?"

"I need more qualifications first."

"I should wait until I'm really an expert."

But here's the reality: you don't need to be the world's leading expert.

You just need to be one step ahead of the people you're helping.

Your experience as a pastor or ministry leader has already given you skills that others desperately need.

3. Fear of the Unknown

Starting a business feels like stepping into a dark room.

You can't see what's coming.

You don't know what challenges await.

You can't plan for every possible scenario.

This uncertainty paralyzes many people before they even begin.

But uncertainty isn't your enemy—it's where growth happens.

Every successful entrepreneur has walked through that same darkness.

The secret is taking one step at a time, not trying to see the whole staircase.

4. "I Don't Have Time"

Between sermon prep, pastoral care, family responsibilities, and everything else on your plate, where would you find time for a business?

This feels like a legitimate barrier.

And it is—if you're thinking about starting something that requires 40 hours a week.

But what if you could build something meaningful in just 3-5 hours per week?

What if you could create a business that actually gives you more time and freedom in the long run?

That's exactly what happened for me.

5. Fear of What Others Will Think

"What will my congregation say?"

"Will people think I'm being greedy?"

"Am I compromising my calling?"

These concerns run deep for those in ministry.

But remember: the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker.

He supported his ministry through his business.

There's nothing unspiritual about creating value and getting paid for it.

In fact, it can free you to serve more effectively.

And God's the only true judge of the heart.

6. Perfectionism Paralysis

You want everything to be perfect before you launch.

The perfect website.

The perfect product.

The perfect marketing strategy.

But perfectionism is just fear wearing a disguise.

The truth is, done is better than perfect.

You can always improve as you go.

But you can't improve something that doesn't exist.

Breaking Through the Barriers

Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was hesitating to start my first business:

Start before you're ready.

You'll never feel completely ready.

There will always be another course to take, another skill to learn, another reason to wait.

Focus on serving, not selling.

When your heart is in the right place—genuinely wanting to help people—the business side becomes much easier.

Begin with what you have.

You don't need fancy equipment or a big budget.

You need a willingness to start where you are with what you have.

Take the next small step.

You don't need to see the whole staircase.

Just take the next step.

Then the next one.

Remember your why.

When fear creeps in (and it will), remember why you wanted to start in the first place.

What problem are you solving?

Who are you helping?

How will their lives be better because of what you're creating?

Your Calling Includes This

The barriers are real.

But they're not insurmountable.

Thousands of pastors and ministry leaders have pushed through these same fears and built thriving businesses that serve others while supporting their families and ministries.

You can too.

The question isn't whether you're capable—you are.

The question is whether you're willing to take that first step despite the fear.

What's holding you back from starting?

And more importantly, what would become possible if you pushed through that barrier?

To be clear, there's lots of different ways you can generate tentmaking income, but if you think that turning your expertise into an online course that serves others and supports your ministry is for you but  you're not sure what you'd teach then grab my free "90 Minute Blueprint Builder" inside the Raw Launch Lab community and go from stuck to clear on your course idea in just 90 minutes.

Standing with you Simon