Behind the Highlight Reel
The Grit, the Bad and the Ugly
If you spend any time on social media, you might start to believe that following your entrepreneurial passions will lead to an enchanted life, one that looks like a never-ending highlight reel. An effortless existence, punctuated by a constant stream of press hits, sold out product launches and oversubscribed rounds of funding.
But as someone who's built multiple businesses from the ground up, I can tell you the real secret: 99% of the journey isn't anything worth talking about. It's the kind of gritty, thankless work that doesn't make for sexy Instagram captions
The truth is, most of the time you're just kind of plodding along. Putting one foot in front of the other, weathering the storms and persevering through the monotony. It's not about leaping out of bed with excitement but rather navigating a constant undercurrent of mild anxiety. People talk about the highs and the lows- yes there have been countless moments where I've felt like throwing in the proverbial towel - but they don’t give enough airtime to the endless plateaus. The times when the needle won’t budge no matter how hard you push and when the operational headaches and market conditions (inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages)feel stacked against you.
I'm reminded of this every day as I navigate the expansion of Pizzana, the Neapolitan pizza concept that my husband Charles and I created. Just a few weeks ago, we opened our 7th location - in Houston - and the journey was anything but smooth. The process was fraught with endless construction delays and hiring challenges, pushing our patience to the brink. Then, a power outage on opening day added a final cruel twist to our saga. It was a moment that truly tested our resolve, amplified by the sheer exhaustion of our entire team who had dedicated months of sleepless nights to this new opening.
So you can only imagine my surprise and delight last week when we received not one, but two epic media hits within hours of each other! One claimed that we now serve the best pizza in Houston, and another declared Los Angeles the new reigning pizza capital—with Pizzana playing a significant role. And just two days later, another media hit: the Houston Chronicle declared that Pizzana pizza really is 'all that'! After months of struggle, it was a moment to celebrate and a powerful reminder of the value of perseverance.
Back in 2017, when my husband and I teamed up with Chef Daniele Uditi to open Pizzana, Los Angeles was widely regarded as a barren landscape for pizza. New Yorkers and other transplants to LA were vocal about the lack of a satisfactory pie. But since opening our first restaurant in Brentwood seven years ago, we've sparked a pizza revolution in this city. And now, apparently we're taking Texas by storm too! (And if you want to get your hands on some, you can order our famous cacio e pepe pizza and more via Goldbelly. )These victories aren't just luck; they're the result of relentless effort, countless sleepless nights, and long periods of time when it seems like absolutely nothing is happening.
The clutch moments that make for flashy social posts? They're actually the product of lots of thankless work and slow days of consistent effort that add up to major leaps forward. So as you chase your own dreams, whether it's building a business or creating the life you truly want, I encourage you to remember this: the highlights may get the glory, but it's the grit and the patience that really matters.
In order to stay the course when the journey feels never-ending, it's crucial to celebrate your small victories (like I'm doing in this email—see what I did there?). It's also important to acknowledge your daily progress, even when it seems minor. This persistence is what will make the breakthroughs feel even more rewarding when they arrive.
I know it's tempting to look at those highlight reel lives and think "Why can't that be me?" But the truth is, no matter how effortless and successful the people you admire online may seem, they're all putting in the grinding, unglamorous work. They simply know how to spotlight the wins (or, their social media manager does!)
The world loves an overnight success story. But the real heroes are the ones who just keep showing up, day after day, doing the work no one sees. That's where the magic happens
So keep plugging away, my friends. Keep at it, even when it feels like you're not making progress. Because your highlights reel is in the making - you just can't see the full picture yet.
XO,
candace
PS: I’m obsessed with the Staud dress I wore for our Houston opening, above. It’s comfortable and flattering and comes in a few different colors.
Loving this quote from my old client during my PR days, Candace Nelson. A woman who is successful and super down to earth and nice and expected good work from everyone she worked with. She knows how to build a solid team around her, in front of the camera and especially behind the scenes. No social media fluff necessary.
"The world loves an overnight success story. But the real heroes are the ones who just keep showing up, day after day, doing the work no one sees. That's where the magic happens."
I needed to read this today. Thank you for the psychological boost!