“My biggest fear is becoming too successful, where I would have to hire someone other than myself (on an official basis, as opposed to occasional help). Would I be able to handle the volume like I used to? The fear may be keeping me from being as aggressive with sales as I should be, or it could be keeping me from adjusting my pricing.”- Jeffrey Evan Mufson, Jemstar Entertainment, Tampa, Fla. “This one hit home for me! When my son was 8, we were taking a long trip and from the back seat he said, ‘Mom, what is your biggest fear in life?’ ‘Wow,’ I thought, ‘such a deep question for a little guy.’ I had to think a lot about his question. It became clear to me that my biggest fear is financial, the fear of not having money for things we might need and for benefits that are so important to me. So, to clearly answer, what I am most afraid of is leaving my full-time career, where I am comfortable, make a great living, and have wonderful benefits. This fear is stopping me from quitting [my job] and running my event company full time. I tell myself that I need a five-year plan! It’s very scary for me to take that leap. I admire others, so much, who have quit their full-time careers.”- Colleen Bauer, PWP™, Fairy Godmother Weddings & Events,Bakersfield, Calif.“Currently, my biggest fear is leaving my 9-5 job to be a full-time wedding and event planner. My business has been successful for the past seven-plus years, but I’m worried if I don’t have the security of a steady income that I won’t be able to sustain my home life and lifestyle.”- Melissa Fife, PWP™, Events by Missy & Company, White Plains, N.Y.“As a photographer and cinematographer, I struggle with the fear of rejection of what I create. This fear stops me from seeking publication, exposure, and recognition for the truly beautiful moments I do create in what I do.”- Matthew Schenk, M Place Productions, Las Vegas“My biggest fear is judgment, being judged and worrying about acceptance, rejection, and perception. Perception is not reality but a one-sided picture of what others believe to be true, their opinion. I should be more accountable to myself and stop fearing what others might perceive. Fear of judgment prevents me from making changes, being bold, taking risks. It hinders success. Fear of judgment or is it fear of perception?”- Deborah Moody, Association of Certified ProfessionalWedding Consultants,San Jose, Calif.“One of the main things I am most afraid of is making a bad decision. Whether it is a business practice or financial, it makes me super nervous. I try to think about all avenues of whatever the decision is and sometimes don’t ever make a solid ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ When this happens, I fog my mind with thoughts, trying to make a decision. If I just allowed myself to make a decision, it would be released from my mind. I would have more space for other fun things to make my business grow.”- Jeryse Kelly, PWP™, MJK Events, Tempe, Ariz.“Being new to the industry and somewhat of an introvert, I fear attending networking events where I know no one. This holds me back from meeting new people in my industry and ultimately growing my business.”- Kristen Vanderwerff, Love Me Knot Weddings, Austin, Texas“I’m afraid of quitting my part-time job, and only focusing on my wedding business. I fear that I won’t be able to have a successful business while also being able to fully support myself. Ideally, I would like 24 DOC clients, five to eight of them that require planning, too, and 10 or more that want my design skills.”- Shannon Larkins, Shannon Louise Weddings, Nashville, Tenn.“I am most afraid of failing on the creative side of this business—to the point where I almost fear I will not make a living working in my dream job. What will happen if I ever lose my inspiration or passion? This underlying fear is holding me back on celebrating love stories to the fullest of my creativity!”- Andrea N. Henning, CWP™, Splendid Events, Saginaw, Mich.