Image Source: iStock
The Truth About Dreaming Big While Carrying Real-World Responsibilities
August is Black Business Month, a time meant to celebrate the creativity, resilience, and brilliance of Black entrepreneurs. However, for me, it’s also a moment to be honest about what running a business really looks like, especially when you’re still juggling school, work, and the everyday realities of life.
When I started my brand, Keepin’ It Kultured, at the time, it was just an idea and a passion, something I poured my creativity into between homework assignments and after-school activities. I was inspired to create something that celebrated culture, connection, and community, and I dreamed of it becoming so much bigger than me.
Four years later, I thought by now I’d be further along. I pictured a thriving business, a solid customer base, maybe even my own store or a larger online presence. However, life has a way of slowing things down, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that. I was okay with the long nights, hard work, and all the things that come with being an entrepreneur, but I’ve learned that many entrepreneurs, especially those starting young or without a financial safety net, find themselves in this in-between space. Sometimes it’s not about how bad you want it, but how much you can realistically give when you’re balancing so much at once. There’s school to finish, bills to pay, work schedules to keep, and personal challenges that never seem to wait for a “better time.”
That’s the part of entrepreneurship people don’t often talk about. It’s not always the glamorous “quit your job and live your dream” story that gets shared on social media. For some of us, it’s fitting in business tasks on lunch breaks, packaging orders late at night, or missing opportunities because you simply don’t have the time or money to say yes. It’s seeing other businesses take off and wondering if your time will come, while still showing up every day to put in the work you can manage. Battling the impostor syndrome, wondering if this was what you were meant to do.
Source: Getty Images
Even with all of that, I’m still here, and so are countless other Black business owners navigating the same balancing act. I learned that a dream deferred is not a dream denied, and not right now does not mean no. Even when it feels like the finish line keeps moving farther away, I remind myself that timing is everything. I believe that when the moment is right, my business will flourish the way I’ve always envisioned. Keepin’ It Kultured is still standing because it matters…it’s more than a brand, it’s a piece of who I am and the legacy I hope to build. Every sale, every word of feedback, every person who believes in this vision fuels me to keep pushing forward, even if the progress comes slower than I once imagined.
Black Business Month isn’t just about spotlighting success stories; it’s about honoring the persistence it takes to keep moving forward, even when life makes it hard. It’s about acknowledging that behind every business owner is a person carrying responsibilities, challenges, and dreams all at the same time. It’s about recognizing that success doesn’t always happen in a straight line, and sometimes the journey itself shapes the business more than the original plan ever could.
So here I am, still building, still dreaming, and still believing in the future of Keepin’ It Kultured. I may not be where I thought I’d be by now, but I’m not done. And if there’s anything this journey has taught me, it’s that progress, no matter how slow, is still progress. One day, I’ll look back and see that every late night, every sacrifice, and every moment I kept going was worth it, not just for me, but for the community I serve and the culture I’m committed to honoring.
Image: iStock
And if you’re reading this while chasing your own dream, let this be a reminder: you don’t have to have it all figured out today. Growth takes time. Success doesn’t have to look like someone else’s story. Every step forward, no matter how small, is proof that you haven’t given up. And that persistence, in itself, is powerful.
Kyrah Page is currently a student at Lincoln University. She is also the CEO and founder of her own brand called “Keepin’ It Kultured.” Where she combines art with activism to empower, inspire and educate the Black community. She advocates for change, promotes black positivity, and addresses controversial issues. Kyrah is many things but most importantly she is an activist.
