Chapter 20: Start from Where You Stand
Alex stood frozen like his feet were glued to the floor. His heart pounded steadily in his chest, but not from excitement this time, it was fear. Real, raw fear. His mouth was open, but no words came out. All he could think was:
"Website designer... app developer... marketing... How am I supposed to do all that?"
His mind was racing. Every part of the project Raymond praised now felt like a giant mountain. He remembered the little savings he and Emma had been surviving on. Their father had passed away and left them with just enough to scrape by. That was their reality, survival. Not business or building dreams.
Tears filled his eyes before he even realized it. His throat tightened.
"I can't do this," he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "Not now... not with what I have."
Raymond leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. He looked calm, but his voice was firm. "Alex," he said, "this, what you're feeling right now, is the reality of business."
Alex looked up at him, confused and lost.
Raymond continued, "No one told you to dream small. You drew up a big plan. A brilliant one, yes, but expensive. This is part of the journey. The struggle. The mess. Every serious entrepreneur hits this wall."
"But... I thought you'd help," Alex muttered.
Raymond raised an eyebrow. "Help? Do everything for you? No. I'm not here to spoon-feed you. I'm here to guide, to teach. One lesson you must learn is this: no one is coming to carry your dream for you. You have to fight for it, even when it feels impossible."
Alex stared at him, the words hitting him like cold water.