A Lesson I’ve Learned as a Woman and a Founder
As women, and especially as small business owners, it’s almost second nature to compare ourselves to others. Whether it’s friends, colleagues, or other brands we admire, the urge to measure up can be overwhelming. I know because I’ve been there. In the age of social media, the comparison game feels never-ending.
In my early days as the founder of Still life, I thought comparing myself to other brands would push me forward. If they could do it, so could I. But over time, I realized I wasn’t just trying to be better—I was trying to be like them. And that’s where the danger lies. When we base our decisions on what others would do, we lose our own voice and originality.
We often idolize people and businesses who seem to have it all figured out, forgetting that everyone faces challenges. The truth is, our idols have struggled too. What makes them inspiring isn’t an easy journey—it’s their resilience. It’s the stories of growth and overcoming adversity that truly draw us in.
I’ve had my share of personal and professional achievements. But each time I reached a milestone, my inner voice would say, “You need to do more. This isn’t enough.” Constantly chasing some undefined version of success pushed me to the point of burnout, and overworking myself stripped away the joy and passion I had for what I was building. I learned the hard way that maintaining balance is vital for both me and my brand.
What I’ve come to understand—and am still learning—is that there will always be someone doing better. And that’s okay. I’ve been in rooms where I felt like the least experienced person, but I’ve also been in rooms where I had more to offer than others. The key is perspective. Just because someone else is further along doesn’t mean I’m not doing well in my own right.
Growing up, we were taught to compare ourselves to the top achievers in class. But what if we stopped for a second and appreciated where we are? What if, instead of chasing someone else’s definition of success, we created our own? For me, that’s what matters now. If I achieve something today that makes me proud, that’s enough. It doesn’t matter if someone else is doing more or making more. I’m doing my best, and that’s what counts.
The more I compare myself to others, the more I close off my own opportunities. By focusing on what they’re doing, I forget to see what I could be doing. Yes, others might not take the same risks or steps as I do, but why should that stop me? Starting a small business, especially in the jewelry world, requires a unique mindset. Even if my steps seem small, they are my steps, and they’re what’s moving me forward.
I know there are better writers out there, but here I am, writing this. That’s the perspective I’ve embraced. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.
In today’s social media-driven world, it’s easy to feel like we’re falling behind when we see everyone’s highlight reels. But the curated lives we see online are just that—curated. No one shares their failures, their sleepless nights, or the stress behind the scenes. What we see is just a fraction of the story.
We need to take a step back and be grateful for where we are right now. Reflect on our journey. And when we’re ready, we can take the next step with clarity—not because we feel pressured to keep up, but because it’s right for us.
At Still life, our mission goes beyond just selling jewelry. We want to build a community of women who support each other and lift each other up. We want to remind you that your individuality is your strength. Your experiences, your struggles, your victories—they’re all part of what makes you who you are. And that’s worth celebrating.
My goal is to stop comparing myself to others and instead focus on becoming the best version of myself. Comparisons destroy our uniqueness, and it’s our individuality that makes us shine authentically.
I invite you to join us at Still life, where we celebrate our individuality and support each other in our journeys—because your story deserves to shine.
Tereza
