That Time I Read for: The Small Business Owner Who Proved Dreams Don’t Expire

I’ll never forget the client who completely changed how I think about business obstacles and entrepreneurial challenges. Often we can get discouraged by setbacks, unexpected hurdles, and the constant uphill climb that comes with building something meaningful. This feeling doubles when you’re working in industries with extensive regulations, criticism, and complicated barriers to entry. Add personal struggles into the mix, and success can feel next to impossible.

But sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. Working my storefront in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I encountered a woman whose approach to business challenges would shift my entire perspective on what it means to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

The Client Who Radiated Calm Confidence

It was one of those perfect spring days when she walked in. Many clients I’d been seeing were interesting, but rarely did someone enter with the quiet confidence this woman possessed. She was polite, had gentle eyes, and carried herself with a soft presence that made you feel both seen and appreciated.

What impressed me most was that she didn’t seem to carry excess emotional weight—no anxiety, anger, or the heavy burden of frustration that often accompanies small business ownership. She had this lightness about her, much like a gentle breeze on a new spring day. Yet underneath that gentleness, I sensed something else. A small thread of uncertainty, perhaps, drifting along with her peaceful energy.

We made our introductions, and she explained she wanted guidance about her business venture. “It’s unique,” she said with a knowing smile, offering very little detail beyond that.

Uh-oh, I thought to myself. In my experience, “unique” often means extra turbulence, additional complications, and uncharted territory that most people shy away from.

“Say no more,” I said with an inquisitive smile, reaching for my notebook. “I have just the approach for you.”

When the Reading Revealed More Than Expected

I selected a favored spread I often used for illuminating what affects someone’s life path and business direction. One by one, I revealed the insights, taking her through the journey of what each element meant for her entrepreneurial venture.

Here’s what surprised me: while some aspects presented unique challenges, nothing was truly negative. The entire reading felt as peaceful and purposeful as she was—almost like the obstacles weren’t meant to be warnings, but rather confirmation that she was on the right path. The questions she asked didn’t align with my expectations either, which sparked my curiosity even more.

She took a deep breath of relief, thanking me for giving her exactly what she needed to hear. “I wanted to make sure I’m still living authentically and not just trying to please everyone else,” she explained. “This business venture is central to that question.”

Now I was genuinely intrigued. “What exactly do you do, Miss Entrepreneur?”

“I help people heal through creative expression!” she said, her entire face lighting up with passion.

I leaned forward, completely hooked. “Oh, like art therapy?”

The Dream I’d Abandoned

This hit close to home. Art therapy had been my dream once… until I let the obstacles convince me it was impossible. The extensive licensing requirements, mounting student debt without guaranteed income, critics who didn’t understand the value of creative healing, living in a conservative area with limited resources… When my personal life took a significant hit, I simply didn’t have the emotional energy to keep fighting through all that turbulence.

Effectively, I’d let all those challenges bury my dreams among many other abandoned pursuits.

She shook her head with a gentle smile. “No, nothing clinical; at least, not yet. Think creative workshops with self-reflection components. I believe we’re all designed to create and discover our inner strength. That’s actually why I chose my business name. We’re all meant to find our power, even when it doesn’t look traditional.”

“So you were able to just… start? Without all the licenses and formal credentials?”

“Right now it’s non-clinical as we build our foundation, but I have expansive plans for the future. I believe in empowerment—that each person is designed to be mighty in their own unique way.”

I was genuinely blown away. Here was someone who’d faced similar regulatory challenges and industry skepticism, yet she’d found a way to honor her calling while navigating the obstacles strategically.

The Revelation That Changed Everything

After our session ended, I had time to reflect during the quiet period before my next appointment. Her story about overcoming entrepreneurial obstacles felt both inspiring and challenging. She’d shown me something profound about how I’d been interpreting resistance in my own business journey.

I’d allowed external challenges to discourage me from pursuing something deeply meaningful. Yes, I had valid reasons for the choices I made, and I wouldn’t change my wonderful, unconventional path. But her example made me wonder: how many other meaningful pursuits had I abandoned simply because the road got rocky?

Here’s what I realized: I struggle with ADHD, anxiety, and past trauma—but so do many of the people I’ve wanted to help through my work. These challenges aren’t personal attacks from the universe; they’re simply part of the landscape when you’re doing meaningful work.

At the time I was facing those earlier obstacles, it felt impossible not to take them personally. Logic couldn’t always override the emotional perception that the world was conspiring against my dreams. But this client’s approach revealed something crucial: the problems we face in business aren’t personal. The world isn’t creating obstacles just to mess with us.

Reframing Business Challenges as Treasure Maps

When we take on certain entrepreneurial goals, we’re essentially accepting the challenges that come with that territory. We’re inviting specific problems that are designed to help us grow stronger, think differently, discover our real capabilities, and sometimes break traditional approaches.

I’ve learned to see business obstacles as encouraging rather than discouraging. After all, Indiana Jones didn’t find treasure without navigating booby traps—I try to view hurdles as motivation, signs that I’m getting closer to something valuable.

The challenges aren’t roadblocks; they’re confirmation that you’re pursuing something worthwhile. When you’re onto something meaningful, resistance is natural. The key is learning to interpret that turbulence as navigation data rather than rejection.

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What entrepreneurial dreams have you set aside because the path got challenging? What obstacles made you question whether you were “meant” for your business vision? Share your story in the comments—sometimes discussing these experiences helps us realize we’re not alone in facing the turbulence that comes with building something meaningful.