It was February 2004, and I’d sat down at my desk. As I booted up my computer, a conversation from my early morning breakfast played over in my mind. I’d met a long-time mentor to catch up on business.
Scooting into the seat of my favorite coffee shop, I wasn't prepared for the question she shot at me.
“Tell me the last time you failed."
I could feel my body tense as I seemed to melt into my seat. Then it hit me, that hot wave of shame, washing over me like that failure was yesterday.
It all began when I purchased what was then my current company. No, there wasn’t any fanfare or long negotiations. It was simple. I stepped into the owner's office one day, and she asked, “what would you think about buying the company?”
I chuckled (which I’m sure included a snort), thinking she was joking. All the while, her eyes stayed fixed on mine. Holy crap, I thought, she’s serious.
It was only 1 year before that I’d left my career in morning radio. Here I was, faced with the idea of leaping full force into entrepreneurship.
A million questions ran through my mind, but instead of eloquently asking them, I heard myself blurt out, “really?” Yep, true to today, I’ve always been the one with a quick wit against tough questions.
Speed ahead, and we’d come to terms. There I was, a newly anointed business owner, floating on cloud nine. As visions of growth and revenue goals danced in my head, the stark reality began to sink in. I had zero experience running a company.
I’d only been out of radio for a year, and becoming an overnight entrepreneur wasn’t on my bingo card. For nearly a decade, I’d had a terrific career as one-half of the number-one morning show. But life as a single mom who gets up at 3 AM to talk on the radio wasn’t as much fun as it might seem.
Most mornings were spent dragging myself out of bed, wrapping my son up, and driving over to my parent's house. There he’d sleep another few hours before this heavenly angel called my mother helped him get ready for preschool.
I’d limp into the station, begging for that first cup of coffee, and grumble hello at my morning show partner and production team. I mean, who’s ever ready to say “good morning, everybody” with a wink and a smile at 4:30 AM?
About Rebekah Radice
Rebekah Radice, co-founder of BRIL.LA, has traded narcissism for purpose. When not driving growth, you'll find her tricking family into thinking she's Emeril Lagasse - likely covered in marinara. The spotlight was fun, but impact is better. These days she's using 20+ years of brand brilliance for good.