Who am I to start a business?

Who Am I to Start a Business? Defeating Imposter Syndrome as a Christian Mom

October 27, 202517 min read


"Who Am I to Charge for This? I'm Just a Mom with an Idea and a Laptop."

I'll never forget the moment I hovered over the "publish" button on my very first service offering.

My heart was racing. My palms were sweating. And that voice—that voice—was screaming in my head:

"Who do you think you are? You don't have a degree in this. There are people with way more experience. What if someone asks you a question you can't answer? You're just a stay-at-home mom with an idea. Why would anyone pay YOU for this?"

I closed my laptop without publishing.

That night, I told my husband maybe I wasn't cut out for this. Maybe the "calling" I felt was just me being delusional. Maybe God meant for me to stay small, stay quiet, stay in my lane as "just a mom."

Can I tell you something? That voice? It's called imposter syndrome—and if you've ever felt it, you're not alone.

In fact, research shows that 84% of entrepreneurs struggle with imposter syndrome. And for Christian moms trying to balance motherhood, faith, and business? The struggle hits even harder.

Because on top of feeling unqualified, we're also carrying:

  • Mom guilt ("Should I even be doing this?")

  • People-pleasing tendencies ("What will they think?")

  • Perfectionism ("It has to be flawless before I can start")

  • And the crushing weight of wondering if God actually called us to this or if we made it up

If you've ever thought, "Who am I to start a business?" this post is for you.

Today, we're defeating imposter syndrome—not with worldly confidence, but with Kingdom authority. Because the same God who called Moses from a burning bush, Gideon from a winepress, and Esther from obscurity is calling YOU.

And it's time to answer.


The 5 Imposter Personas: Which One Are You?

Before we can defeat imposter syndrome, we need to understand how it shows up. Research identifies 5 distinct imposter personas—and most of us embody at least one (or a combination).

Let's identify yours.

1. The Perfectionist

Her Struggle: No matter how much she accomplishes, it never feels like enough.

What She Tells Herself:

  • "I can't post this until it's perfect"

  • "If I can't do it flawlessly, why bother?"

  • "One typo and everyone will know I'm a fraud"

How This Shows Up in Business:

  • Spending 3 hours rewriting one Instagram caption

  • Deleting posts after publishing them

  • Refusing to launch until everything is "just right" (spoiler: it never is)

  • Comparing your messy Day 1 to someone else's polished Year 5

The Cost: Your business never launches. Your message stays hidden. Your people never get helped.


2. The Expert

Her Struggle: She believes she needs to know everything before she can teach anything.

What She Tells Herself:

  • "I need another certification first"

  • "I should take one more course before I start"

  • "I don't know enough yet"

How This Shows Up in Business:

  • Perpetual student syndrome—always learning, never launching

  • Spending thousands on courses and certifications to feel "ready"

  • Waiting to be the world's foremost expert before helping anyone

The Cost: You stay stuck in learning mode while people who need your help right now go without it.


3. The Natural Genius

Her Struggle: She sets impossibly high goals, and when she doesn't achieve them perfectly on the first try, she believes she's incompetent.

What She Tells Herself:

  • "If I were really called to this, it would come naturally"

  • "I failed because I'm not naturally gifted at this"

  • "Other people don't struggle like this"

How This Shows Up in Business:

  • Quitting at the first sign of difficulty

  • Believing that struggle = wrong path

  • Comparing your beginning to someone else's middle

The Cost: You give up on your calling the moment it gets hard.


4. The Soloist

Her Struggle: She believes asking for help is a sign of weakness. If she can't do it alone, she's not worthy.

What She Tells Herself:

  • "Real entrepreneurs figure it out on their own"

  • "If I need help, I'm not cut out for this"

  • "I should be able to do everything myself"

How This Shows Up in Business:

  • Refusing to hire help or join programs

  • Burning out trying to do everything alone

  • Isolating herself instead of building community

The Cost: Burnout, exhaustion, and a business that can't scale beyond your own two hands.


5. The Superhero

Her Struggle: She needs to excel in every role—perfect mom, perfect wife, perfect entrepreneur, perfect Christian—and if one area falls short, she's a total failure.

What She Tells Herself:

  • "I should be able to juggle it all flawlessly"

  • "If I'm struggling, I'm failing"

  • "Everyone else seems to have it together"

How This Shows Up in Business:

  • Trying to be everything to everyone

  • Never saying no

  • Feeling guilty for any choice (work time = mom guilt; family time = entrepreneur guilt)

The Cost: You're constantly exhausted, resentful, and feel like you're failing everywhere because you're trying to be perfect everywhere.


Which One (or Combination) Are You?

Here's the truth, friend: Identifying your imposter persona is the first step to freedom.

Because now you can name it. You can see it for what it is—a lie from the enemy designed to keep you stuck, silent, and small.

But God has a different plan for you.


What God Says About Your Qualifications (Spoiler: You're Ready)

Let me take you through the most freeing truth in all of Scripture:

God has a pattern of calling the "unqualified."

Let's look at the receipts:

Moses: "Who Am I?"

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses responded with the ultimate imposter syndrome question:

"Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" — Exodus 3:11

Moses' resume of "disqualifications":

  • Murdered someone

  • Ran away in shame

  • Was a fugitive hiding in the desert

  • Had a speech impediment

  • Felt totally inadequate for the task

God's response? "I will be with you." (Exodus 3:12)

God didn't say, "You're right, Moses, you're unqualified. Get a degree first."

He said, "My presence makes you qualified."

Your calling + His power = qualified.

You don't need permission from the world. You have a calling from the Creator.

Struggling to believe God actually called YOU to business? I created something just for you: Daughter, You Are Called - A Free Devotional Guide that walks you through Biblical confirmation that yes, God has called you—and yes, you're ready. Download it free here →

Daughter you are Called


Gideon: "How Can I Save Israel?"

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and called him a "mighty warrior," Gideon literally looked around to see who the angel was talking to.

"Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." — Judges 6:15

Gideon was hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat in secret because he was afraid of the enemy.

God's response? "Go in the strength you have... Am I not sending you?" (Judges 6:14)

Translation: Your calling + My power = qualified.


Esther: "I'm Just a Girl"

Esther was an orphan. A Jewish girl in a foreign land. Someone with zero political experience or influence.

Yet God positioned her "for such a time as this" to save her entire people.

She didn't have credentials. She had obedience.


The Biblical Pattern: God Chooses the Unqualified

Now look at what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29:

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."

Do you see it?

God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

Why? So that when your business thrives, when lives are changed, when breakthrough happens—everyone knows it was HIM, not you.

Your "I'm just a mom" is not a disqualification.

It's your testimony that God can use anyone who says yes.


Reframing the Inner Critic: Biblical Truth for Every Imposter Thought

Let's take every lie imposter syndrome tells you and replace it with Kingdom truth:

LIE: "I'm not qualified."

TRUTH: "God is qualifying me as I obey."

You don't need permission from the world. You have a calling from the Creator.

Every step of obedience is Him equipping you for the next one.

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." — Philippians 1:6


LIE: "Everyone else is better than me."

TRUTH: "My unique story helps unique people."

Your story—with all its mess, mistakes, and miracles—is exactly what someone else needs to hear.

The single mom who feels hopeless needs to hear how you rebuilt.

The woman struggling with anxiety needs to hear how you found peace.

The mom drowning in guilt needs to hear how you found freedom.

You're not competing with other entrepreneurs. You're completing the Body of Christ.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." — 1 Corinthians 12:27


LIE: "I need more training before I can start."

TRUTH: "I can learn while I earn."

Yes, be a lifelong learner. But don't use education as an excuse for inaction.

The best training ground is the battlefield.

You will learn more from your first messy client than from 10 more courses.

Faith without works is dead. (James 2:26) Stop studying and start serving.


LIE: "I'm afraid I'll fail."

TRUTH: "Failure is just redirection, not rejection."

What if that "failure" is actually God closing a door so He can open the right one?

What if that setback is setting you up for a comeback story that will encourage thousands?

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." — Romans 8:28


LIE: "Who am I to charge for this?"

TRUTH: "The worker is worthy of her wages."

Jesus said it Himself: "The worker deserves his wages." (Luke 10:7)

You're not charging for WHO you are. You're charging for the TRANSFORMATION you provide.

When you help someone:

  • Save their marriage

  • Find peace in chaos

  • Build a profitable business

  • Overcome anxiety

  • Grow closer to God

That's priceless. And it's worth investing in.

Undercharging isn't humility—it's a poverty mindset disguised as righteousness.

From Fear to Faith: Your Next Step

Now that you've reframed the lies, it's time to take action.

Because here's the truth: Confidence doesn't come from feeling ready. It comes from obedient action.

If you're ready to finally start posting consistently without overthinking every word, grab my free guide: Content That Converts: The Christian Mompreneur's Guide to Creating Content That Connects—it'll help you move from stuck to serving. Get it free here →

content that converts


The Confidence Shift: From Self-Trust to God-Trust

Here's the secret to defeating imposter syndrome as a Christian mom:

You're not looking for self-confidence. You're cultivating God-confidence.

Self-confidence says, "I can do this because I'm capable."

God-confidence says, "I can do this because HE is capable, and He's called me."

Big difference.

The Proverbs 3:5-6 Framework

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Let's break this down into a practical application for your business:

1. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart"

  • Before you post, pray.

  • Before you launch, worship.

  • Before you make decisions, seek His face.

Action Step: Start every work session with 5 minutes of prayer. "God, this business is Yours. I trust You with the outcome."


2. "Lean not on your own understanding"

  • Stop trying to figure it all out.

  • Stop waiting until you "feel ready."

  • Stop needing all the answers before you take the first step.

Action Step: Write this on a sticky note on your laptop: "I don't need to understand. I just need to obey."


3. "In all your ways submit to him"

  • Your pricing? Submit it to Him.

  • Your messaging? Submit it to Him.

  • Your strategy? Submit it to Him.

Action Step: Create a "Surrender List"—every area of your business you're trying to control. Pray over it weekly.


4. "And he will make your paths straight"

  • Not you.

  • Not your strategy.

  • Not your hustle.

  • HIM.

Action Step: Keep a "God Winks" journal—track every time He opens a door, sends a client, provides a breakthrough. When imposter syndrome hits, read it.


Daily Affirmations Rooted in Scripture (Not Manifestation)

Listen—I'm not talking about standing in the mirror telling yourself you're a goddess.

I'm talking about speaking God's truth over yourself before the enemy's lies take root.

Here are 7 affirmations (one for each day of the week) rooted in Scripture:

Monday: "I am chosen by God and appointed to bear fruit." (John 15:16)

Tuesday: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Wednesday: "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Thursday: "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:2)

Friday: "The Lord will fight for me; I need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14)

Saturday: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)

Sunday: "God's grace is sufficient for me, and His power is made perfect in my weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

How to use these:

  • Set them as phone reminders

  • Write them on index cards

  • Speak them out loud before you work

  • Pray them over your business

Put It Into Practice: Your Faith-Led Weekly Planner

Speaking these affirmations is powerful—but you also need a practical system to implement them into your actual week.

That's why I created the Faith-Led Weekly Planner—a free planning system that helps you build your business on prayer, not pressure.

Download your free Faith-Led Weekly Planner here →

faith-filled weekly planner


Your First Step Action Plan (Because Confidence Comes from Obedience)

You've read this whole post. You feel encouraged. But here's the truth:

Imposter syndrome doesn't disappear because you feel confident. It disappears because you act in obedience despite the fear.

So here's your action plan for the next 7 days:

Day 1: Identify Your Imposter Persona

Go back to the 5 personas. Which one are you? Write it down. Name the lie it tells you.

Day 2: Choose Your Power Verse

Pick ONE of the affirmations above. Write it 10 times. Memorize it.

Day 3: Take One "Scared" Action

Do ONE thing that scares you:

  • Post that testimonial

  • Share your pricing

  • Publish that blog

  • Send that pitch

Day 4: Tell Someone Your Calling

Speak it out loud to your spouse, a friend, your mentor. Say, "God has called me to ___________."

Day 5: Serve Before You're Perfect

Offer your service to ONE person—for free or paid—before you feel "ready."

Day 6: Create Your "God Winks" Journal

Start documenting every sign that God is in this. Every door that opens. Every confirmation.

Day 7: Surrender the Outcome

Write a prayer surrendering your business, your success, your timeline to God. Then... let it go.

Ready to Go Deeper? Join Us Inside the Membership

If you've read this far, I know you're serious about defeating imposter syndrome and stepping fully into your calling.

And I don't want you to do it alone.

That's why I created Know Your Voice, Know Your Value—a monthly membership for Christian mompreneurs who are done hiding, done shrinking, and ready to build Kingdom businesses with confidence.

Inside, you'll get:

Monthly trainings on mindset, marketing, and faith-driven business strategy

A community of women who GET IT—the mom guilt, the imposter syndrome, the juggle

Weekly accountability and prayer support

Templates, scripts, and resources to help you show up boldly

Direct access to me for questions, encouragement, and guidance

No more going it alone. No more wondering if you're "doing it right." No more letting imposter syndrome win.

Join Know Your Voice, Know Your Value today →

(P.S. When you join, you'll get instant access to our "Imposter Syndrome Breakthrough" training vault—because I want you walking in confidence from Day 1.)

laptop mommas membership


The Truth About Imposter Syndrome as a Christian Mom

Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was frozen over that "publish" button:

Imposter syndrome isn't a sign that you're unqualified. It's a sign that you're stepping into something bigger than yourself.

Of course you feel like an imposter. You're attempting to build a Kingdom business, impact lives, and steward a calling—while raising tiny humans, managing a home, and trying to stay sane.

That's terrifying.

But here's what the enemy doesn't want you to know:

The moment you said yes to Jesus, you became qualified for whatever He calls you to.

Not because of your resume.

Not because of your degrees.

Not because of your experience.

Because of HIS resurrection power living inside you.

So the next time that voice whispers, "Who am I to start a business?"

You answer back:

"I am a daughter of the King. I am called. I am equipped. I am sent. And I'm doing this scared—because faith isn't the absence of fear; it's obedience in the presence of it."

Now go.

Post the thing.

Launch the offer.

Share your story.

The world doesn't need another "perfect" entrepreneur. It needs YOU—messy, scared, obedient YOU.


Let's Pray:

Father, thank You that You don't call the qualified—You qualify the called. Forgive me for believing the lie that I'm not enough. The truth is, I'm not enough on my own—but in You, I have everything I need. Give me the courage to step out in faith, even when I feel like an imposter. Remind me daily that my qualifications come from You, not from man. I surrender this business, this calling, and this fear to You. Let my obedience be my offering. In Jesus' name, Amen.


What's one lie imposter syndrome has told you? And what Scripture are you going to speak back? Drop it in the comments or DM me on Instagram @laptopmommas—I want to pray over you.


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Remember: You're not "just a mom with an idea and a laptop." You're a world-changer with a God-given calling and Kingdom authority. Now act like it.

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Lynette Williams is a believer, homeschooling momma, and mompreneur. She describes herself as a "Sunny days and Iced lattes kind of girl."

Lynette Williams

Lynette Williams is a believer, homeschooling momma, and mompreneur. She describes herself as a "Sunny days and Iced lattes kind of girl."

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