When Is Successful Too Successful?
Last summer, in Seattle, Washington, I was thrilled to find myself at THE ORIGINAL coffee house of the coffee house brand that basically started all coffee houses as we know them, in the U.S. (and beyond).
(Are you catching my drift?)
Over the decades, I’ve had many opinions about said coffee powerhouse.
I’ve thought things like:
Corporate conglomeration… there’s one on EVERY street corner… they’re driving out the little guy… mass production… not intimate…
I could go on and on with the judgments.
But I’ve also thought:
Wow, how on earth can they make the same drink in locations all over the world and it tastes the same? How did they get so popular? How were they able to grow so efficiently?
You get the idea.
It wasn’t until a few months ago, while chatting at our local library about that visit, that another layer hit me. A woman nearby was complaining about its mega-corporate status (much like I have in the past) and said she’d never go there.
And I thought…
“Huh. How successful is too successful?”
Where’s the moment in time when a small business (or solopreneur) goes from
struggling and scrappy
to
Oh no, now you’re a corporate monster—we won’t support you anymore because you’re too good at what you do?
So let me ask you this:
How successful are you allowed to be—in your life and in your business—before your outside support bails?
And more importantly:
Are you holding yourself back to avoid that painful moment of abandonment?
Because—hard truth—
Your success will make some people uncomfortable.
It will mean some can’t handle it.
Some may betray you.
Some may try to stop you.
And sometimes you might be the one pumping the brakes… not because you don’t want more, but because some ancient part of you fears what comes next.
At one point in human history, getting kicked out of the tribe did mean likely demise. So yeah—it’s understandable.
But still…
Where is that line for you?
Have you already crossed it?
Are you avoiding it (maybe unconsciously) because you fear the fallout?
Are you sabotaging yourself in ways you don’t even realize—because sameness feels safer?
Maybe you’ve been toeing that line for a while…
Dancing around it. Side-eying it. Pretending it’s not there.
But let’s be real—how’s that working for you?
Feeling that tug?
If this stirred something in you, don’t ignore it.
Take a breath. Take a step.
And if you’re ready to explore what might be holding you back—I’d be honored to walk beside you.
I’m cheering you on—with a large, iced mocha with oat milk in hand.
Brava,
Alyssa
Author’s Note: I love small, independent businesses—coffee and otherwise—and frequent them whenever humanly possible. It’s all about balance. ☕
