The Things No One Tells You About Chasing a Big Dream
Renee Vee, CCC-SLP, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, published author, speaker, monthly article contributor in FORCE Magazine, co-founder of the Rich Thinking Conference, cast member of the Legacy Makers TV Series, and host of the Mrs.Understood podcast.
Behind every successful entrepreneur is a version of themselves they had to leave behind. We hear endless conversations about the rewards of entrepreneurship: freedom, flexibility, financial success, and the ability to build something meaningful. Social media is filled with milestone celebrations, sold-out launches, and stories that make success look almost effortless.
What we don’t talk about enough are the invisible changes that happen long before success arrives. When I decided to pursue a dream that felt bigger than myself, I thought I was building a business. Looking back, I realize I was rebuilding my identity. The business was simply the vehicle. The real work happened within me.
I went through several businesses and big ideas that failed. Palpable excitement turned into debt, disappointment, and what some may perceive as “wasted time.” Here’s the thing, though. Once you have the “Thomas Edison” awareness, you know that it is simply part of the process. Here are some of the life changes no one prepared me for. What is the Thomas Edison awareness?
Your relationships may change before your income does
One of the most surprising parts of chasing a dream isn’t the workload. It’s watching your relationships evolve.
Like many entrepreneurs, I assumed my closest family members and friends would naturally become my biggest supporters. Instead, I learned that not everyone will understand a dream they didn’t dream themselves.
Some people will encourage you from the sidelines. Others may question why you’re taking risks or spending so much time on something that hasn’t “worked” yet. Some won’t ask about your business at all. Some relationships may quietly fade as your priorities begin to shift.
It’s easy to take this personally, but over time, I realized something important: people aren’t rejecting your dream. They’re viewing it through the lens of their own experiences, fears, and beliefs.
As you grow, your circle may change. That’s not necessarily a loss. Sometimes, it’s simply evidence that you’re becoming someone new.
You’ll stop asking for permission
When you first begin, it’s natural to seek validation. You ask people what they think. You explain your vision. You hope someone will tell you that you’re making the right decision. Eventually, you realize that most people can’t validate a path they’ve never walked.
One of the greatest shifts in entrepreneurship is learning to trust your own voice. Not because you have all the answers, but because you understand that waiting for universal approval will keep you standing still.
Confidence isn’t something you find. It’s something you build by continuing, especially when no one else understands why.
You’ll realize shiny object syndrome is often self-doubt in disguise
Entrepreneurship is full of promises. The next strategy. The next platform. The next coach. The next shortcut.
For a long time, I believed I was searching for better opportunities. In reality, I was searching for certainty. Every new opportunity felt like it might be the missing piece.
But lasting success rarely comes from constantly changing direction. It comes from staying with something long enough to become exceptional at it.
Sometimes, the greatest breakthrough isn’t finding a better strategy. It’s trusting the one you’re already committed to.
You’ll learn that spending money doesn’t build a business
Many entrepreneurs believe they need the perfect website, beautiful branding, expensive software, or every course on the market before they’re ready. I understand that mindset because I’ve lived it.
What I eventually discovered is that businesses aren’t built by looking successful. They’re built by creating value.
The entrepreneurs who thrive aren’t always the ones who spend the most. They’re the ones who solve real problems, build meaningful relationships, and consistently show up for the people they’re here to serve. Making sales isn’t about proving your worth. It’s about proving your value.
Success is much quieter than you imagined
The world celebrates the wins. Few people talk about the hundreds of ordinary days that came before them.
Success often looks like writing when no one is reading, creating when no one is commenting, showing up after a disappointing launch, and believing in yourself before there’s evidence that anyone else does.
Those moments don’t usually make headlines, but they are where resilience is built. Resilience is what separates people who dream from people who eventually achieve those dreams.
The biggest transformation in chasing a dream has nothing to do with business
Looking back, I don’t think entrepreneurship changed my career nearly as much as it changed me. It taught me resilience when things didn’t go according to plan. It taught me discernment about whose opinions deserve space in my mind. It taught me to stop chasing approval and start pursuing purpose.
Most importantly, it taught me that becoming successful isn’t about reaching a destination. It’s about becoming the kind of person who can sustain the life you’ve been working to create.
If this speaks to you, listen up
If you’re in the middle of building something meaningful, remember this: The hardest part isn’t always building the business. Sometimes, it’s becoming the person capable of carrying the dream. The income, recognition, and opportunities may eventually come, but they are only byproducts of a much deeper transformation.
The greatest reward of chasing a big dream isn’t what you build. It’s who you become while building it. That’s Rich Thinking!
Read more from Renee Vee
Renee Vee, Speaker, Author, and Mindset & Communication Specialist
Renee Vee, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist, speaker, author, and leader in mindset and communication. She empowers individuals and organizations to communicate with confidence and purpose. Known for her engaging presence and practical insights, Renee partners with families and business leaders to create environments where confidence, connection, and clarity are cultivated.
