Lessons for Younger Entrepreneurs: Take Risks and Trust Yourself

Every entrepreneur has a moment where they look in the mirror and quietly wonder if they are fooling everyone around them. I have had that moment more times than I can count, and in this episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast, I sit down with someone who once admitted she felt the exact same way at the height of her confidence on stage. Her name is Natalie Bevacqua, and our conversation dives deep into the parts of the entrepreneurial journey most people never talk about.

If you have ever struggled with imposter syndrome, felt the urge for a midlife reinvention, or wondered whether you could start over as an introverted entrepreneur, I want you to hear this. Natalie and I go all the way back to Austin in 2005. When I first met her, she walked into every room with a level of confidence and charisma that made people lean in. I assumed she had it all figured out. What I later learned is that behind that confidence lived a woman who was just as nervous, anxious, and uncertain as the rest of us. In this interview, we revisit that moment and unpack what it means to lead while still wrestling with doubt, how to stop caring so much about what other people think, and why the messy, unpolished parts of our stories are the most relatable and powerful. Natalie Bevacqua opens up about leaving Austin, moving to a brand new city in her 50s, and starting from scratch. Imagine being a woman entrepreneur, well-established and successful, suddenly landing in a place where you know no one except your husband. At a time when many people begin settling into routine, she chose to rebuild her community, her business, and her identity from the ground up. That kind of midlife reinvention takes courage most people never access, and she walks us through exactly what that journey taught her. As we talk, she shares how her entrepreneurial path has been shaped by overcoming self-doubt, trusting herself, and learning how to build authentic connections instead of forced networking. We explore how introverts can thrive in business, how personal growth changes in our 30s, 40s, and 50s, and why entrepreneurship remains one of the greatest gifts we have. With over 25 years as an entrepreneur in the health, wellness, and beauty industry, Natalie has dedicated her career to empowering women to prioritize their well-being while creating lives of purpose and meaning. As a breast cancer and melanoma survivor, she has learned firsthand the importance of nurturing both inner and outer health. Those seasons deepened her passion for helping women build confidence, resilience, and radiant health from the inside out. Natalie hosts wellness programs, her signature Wellness Wednesday texts, and Women's Circles, all designed to help women feel supported, strong, and seen. If you are seeking wellness guidance, community, or mentorship to rediscover your own glow, she would love to connect with you. If you feel stuck, uncertain, or disconnected from your purpose, I hope this interview reminds you that reinvention is possible at any age. You can start over in a new city. You can shift careers. You can take control of your future. You can grow even while scared. And a single conversation or small moment of courage can create a Ripple Effect that changes everything.

If you have not yet grabbed a copy of my book The Ripple Effect: Maximizing the Power of Relationships for Your Life and Business, you can find it at ripplecentral.com along with other resources to help you expand your influence and deepen your connections in everyday life.

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