What a Broken Drawer Taught Me About Starting a Business

In one pull, the face of our silverware drawer broke off. Ugh.

Being low-end cabinetry, it was only a matter of time before such a mishap occurred—but there it sat on my kitchen table, day after day, mocking me. I moved it from one surface to the next depending on the requirements of the moment. When we needed to sit and eat dinner, I moved it to the counter. When it was time to cook, I moved it back to the table—a placeholder, something not quite forgotten, but set aside.

The silverware became a moving destination—a guessing game of where you'd find your next fork.

Then one evening, my construction brain turned on. I stopped putting off the task and researched what I needed to get it done.

I already had some of the tools, but I needed more to finish the job. After a quick trip to the store and 30 minutes of uninterrupted time, I managed to install the L-brackets and return the silverware safely to their home.

Could I have fixed the drawer sooner? Yes.

What kept me from doing it? Distractions.

Starting a business feels exactly the same.

We know our dream. We know we can make it work. We may have some of the tools. But where do we start? Who can we trust to get us on the right track? There's so much noise in the world—so many directions to go—how can we know where to begin?

The truth? You don't need to have it all figured out before you start. You just need to stop moving the broken drawer from counter to table and actually grab the L-brackets.

Here are 5 questions to ask yourself when you're ready to start:

1. What problem am I solving?

This is often a solution we're finding for our past or current selves. Is there something you're facing—or have faced—that you can solve?

Start here: What do people always come to you for help with? What problem do you solve naturally? That's your business idea hiding in plain sight.

2. Who needs this solution?

Not everyone. Just a specific group of people who are struggling with the exact problem you solve.

For me? Women rebuilding their lives and businesses after major life changes. That's specific. That's my people.

Who's yours?

3. What tools do I already have?

You don't need everything to start. I had a drill and a tape measure—I just needed L-brackets.

What do you already know? What skills do you have? What experience can you leverage?

Start with what you have. Fill in the gaps as you go.

4. What's my first step?

Not your tenth step. Your FIRST step.

For the drawer: Go to the hardware store.

For your business: Write down your idea. Tell one person about it. Research one competitor. Create one social media post.

Pick one thing. Do it today.

5. What's keeping me from starting?

Be honest. Is it lack of knowledge? Fear of failure? Waiting for the "perfect time"?

Here's the truth: There's never a perfect time. I built my first business during infertility. My second while navigating foster care. My third while processing divorce.

None of those felt like "the right time." But I started anyway.

The Broken Drawer Principle

The silverware drawer sat broken for weeks—not because I couldn't fix it, but because I kept waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect tools, the perfect uninterrupted block of time.

Starting a business is the same. You're waiting for perfect clarity, perfect circumstances, perfect confidence.

But here's what I learned: There's never a perfect time. There's only NOW.

You don't need to have it all figured out. You need to grab your L-brackets (metaphorically speaking) and start.

Start messy. Adjust as you go. Build while you figure it out.

That's how successful business owners get things done.

What are you waiting for?

If you're ready to stop moving your "broken drawer" around and actually start building your business—I can help.

I work with women who are done waiting for permission, perfect timing, or all the answers. Women who are ready to build something meaningful while they figure out who they are.

Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and whether coaching is right for you.

No pressure. No pitch. Just strategy.

Let's build this together. 🔧💪