Launch Scared Anyway: Building a Brand with Purpose, Not Perfection
How I stopped waiting for the right time and launched a brand that reflects every role I’ve lived—and the future I’m creating
There’s a moment most entrepreneurs face. It’s not when you get your LLC or design your logo. It’s not even when you tell your friends or post about your business on Instagram.
It’s that quiet moment….after all the research, late nights, and pep talks…where you sit staring at your computer screen thinking:
“Am I really about to do this?”
For me, the moment came after years of helping other people build their brands. I’d wear multiple hats….photographer, strategist, content creator, real estate marketer, magazine contributor, and creative problem-solver….slipping in and out of roles depending on who needed what.
I was everyone’s “go-to” behind the scenes.
But launching Shan Media Co. meant stepping into the spotlight, claiming my own lane, and allowing myself to be seen not just as the helper…but as the founder. I have to admit I threw up a little bit writing this one… I had to remind myself of my favorite quotes from movies, and put on my “I’m about to jump” playlist.
"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it."
— Benjamin Mee, We Bought a Zoo
This Summer Will Shift It All
This summer, I’m being intentional about two things:
Mentoring young photographers to step into roles when I can’t. Not just training them on camera settings, but on showing up fully, telling stories with depth, and creating space for others to shine. I’ve got two that I hold dear to my heart and I can’t wait to drag them all over the Upstate with me.
Building with my children’s future in mind. Every decision—every late-night draft, pitch deck, client call—is made thinking about their goals, their dreams, and the legacy I’m leaving behind. I want them to know their mother didn’t wait for perfect conditions. She launched scared, with faith and fire.
I used to believe I had to be more polished. More ready. More everything.
But perfectionism is just procrastination dressed up as preparation. The truth? You grow into the brand. You grow into the founder. You grow into the vision.
No checklist can replace clarity. No mood board can make you believe in yourself. That work starts inside.
"Your brand doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful—it just needs to be honest and rooted in purpose."
— Nakeshia Shannon, Shan Media Co.
Here’s what helped me quiet the fear and launch with intention:
Claiming my identity: I defined Shan Media Co. as story-first, strategy-backed, and legacy-led.
Starting with what I had: My camera, my voice, my laptop, my people.
Inviting others in: Sharing my story out loud. Letting people see the messy middle. Building in public. People tell me all the time how I inspired them on social media and they don’t know I make myself sick before hitting “post” but it helps me just as much as it helps them.
Pacing myself: As a mom, creative, and student—I’m learning that rest is part of the process, not a reward at the end.
Some nights we’re all gaming & recharging together.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start building your brand, this is it. You’re not too late. You’re not under-qualified. And you’re not alone.
Launch scared, but launch smart. Launch honest. Launch aligned with what matters most.
Your story, your voice, and your vision are more than enough.
Let’s do it scared. Introducing officially…. ShanMedia.co
