I was too broke for Canva Pro

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I remember staring at my laptop screen, sweat trickling down my back.

Not because it was hot.

But because I had exactly $13.41 in my account and Canva Pro was $12.99.

That meant if I upgraded, I’d have 42 cents left to my name.

And I needed that one premium feature.
The background remover.
You know, the one that makes your janky DIY graphics look kinda clean?

I was building my first personal brand.
Offering $50 graphics to strangers on Instagram.
Designing quotes with overused fonts and hoping someone would DM me with “Hey, can I hire you?”

Spoiler: No one did.

Still, I hovered over the “Try Pro” button.
My hands sweating.
My heart pounding like I was about to buy a Tesla, not a design tool.

But I clicked it anyway.

That night, I stayed up until 2AM making graphics I hoped would finally look legit.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
Convince someone that I was.

But it wasn’t the tool that changed everything.

It was the decision.

The decision to stop waiting to feel ready.
To stop trying to “look the part” before acting the part.
And to start creating like I had something worth saying even if I was broke.

Looking back now, I laugh.

Because the graphics were still mid.

But I kept showing up.
I kept telling stories.
And eventually, the clients came not because of the design…
But because of the message.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

You don’t need a better logo.
You need a better story.

Ad Break

A story that shows people who you are before they decide to follow, buy, or believe.

A story that doesn’t wait until you “feel legit” to be shared.

Because the truth?

The best stories come before the breakthrough not after.

So if you're sitting there wondering if you're ready...

Let me save you the Canva Pro stress.

You are.

Create the thing.
Write the post.
Share the story.

Even if your branding sucks.
Even if your bank account’s embarrassing.
Even if you feel like a fraud.

Your people don’t want perfection.
They want real.

And if you're still trying to "polish" before you publish?

You’re hiding the part that makes you powerful.

—

Stephen

P.S. Ever told a story that scared you to share but it landed?
Or one you’re still too nervous to post?
Hit reply and tell me. I’d love to hear it.

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