How to build before you feel ready

You’ll get answers faster by moving — not planning.

Author

Brandon Smithwrick
May 17, 2025

In partnership with

Hey friends,

I’m writing to you this week from one of my favorite places — Mexico City and also turning 31 today.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this newsletter this week … between the airport lounges, ubers, mezcal tastings, and flipping through notes from CONNECT (the creator conference hosted by Teachable + Creator Economy NYC), one idea kept circling in my head…

Creators. Founders. Marketers. All in one space.

You can’t improve something you’re not doing.

It sounds simple — almost too simple, but we all fall into this trap.

We want our business to be polished. Clear. Strategic. #Aesthetics.

But the same thing keeps so many creators and entrepreneurs stuck at the starting line. And trust me, I’ve been there too.

In this issue, I’m breaking down what it means to build before you’re ready and why motion beats perfection every time.

TLDR; you only get clarity after you start.

Let’s get to work. 👇🏾

🫠 How to build before you’re ready

“It’s easier to turn a moving ship than one stuck at dock.”

👆️ I know that quote sounds very dated, but it’s a message. Don’t miss it.

At CONNECT, I kept hearing creators talk about feeling nervous.

Nervous to launch. Nervous to post. Nervous to pitch. The fear wasn’t about failure—it was about getting it wrong.

I still have moments where I’m stuck in the same thought cycle, but the reality is that when you’re in motion, you can adjust.

When you’re stuck in “planning mode,” all you have is guesswork.

The only way to build is to start — then refine.

“Scrappy” isn’t bad.

We overthink the beginning.

We want our story, the visual identity, the monetization plan, the content calendar.

But real momentum comes from small actions repeated often.

Here’s how to build before you feel ready:

  • Document, don’t debut. Share your process. Let people watch the build, not just the launch.

  • Pick one platform. Go all in for 30–60 days. You’ll learn more from posting than you will from planning.

  • Start ugly. Stay consistent. The algorithm doesn’t care if your font is perfect — it cares if you show up.

Think Like a Creator & a Business

You’re not “just” making content — you’re building equity in yourself.

That means:

  • If you’re in a 9–5, your job isn’t a blocker — it’s runway

  • If you’re full-time, your product is your process.

  • Either way, your business won’t grow until you treat it like one.

The Real Playbook

Test. Tweak. Repeat.

Most creatorpreneurs never “figure it out” — they publish their way into clarity.

So if you’ve been sitting on a project, a post, or an idea you think you’re not ready for?

That might actually be the best time to start.

And you definitely can’t scale what doesn’t exist yet.

Creatorpreneurship is not about choosing between stability and creativity.

It’s about finding the intersection — and building something real from it.

⏲️ In Case You Missed It…

I share tips, frameworks, and strategies almost daily — especially on LinkedIn.

But I get it… life gets busy. Algorithms are messy. And chances are, you missed a few gems.

So instead of letting them disappear into the feed, I pulled a few posts that actually sparked convos and helped people move forward.

Here’s what you might’ve missed👇🏾

📚️ Free Resources to Scale

Playbooks for Creatorpreneurs who think like CEOs.

 

ICYMI — I’ve dropped a few free tools designed to help creators like you grow faster and earn smarter—without the guesswork.

From planning your goals, to landing brand deals, to writing scroll-stopping hooks—there’s something in here for wherever you’re at.

Brandon Smithwrick

Thanks for reading!

Say hi 👋 on LinkedIn or Instagram

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