Embracing the Four Fears of Business Ownership

🎙️Embracing the Four Fears of Business Ownership

with Mark Franklin | The Art of Value Whispering Podcast (episode 296)

Fear has a quiet way of showing up in business.

Not as panic or drama, but as hesitation, as waiting until things feel clearer, as telling yourself you need more time, more confidence, or more certainty before you take the next step.

For many thoughtful, values-led business owners, fear doesn’t feel emotional at all. It feels practical. Sensible. Even responsible.

In this episode of The Art of Value Whispering Podcast, I’m joined by Mark Franklin, a business coach, speaker and author to explore why fear is so common for business owners who care deeply about doing things well, and how it often appears right at the point where growth is beginning.

Mark is known for his work on the Four Fears of Business Ownership, and in our conversation, he helps gently unpack the fears that tend to shape our behaviour without us realising.

• Not fear of danger, but fear of not being ready.

• Fear of not being good enough.

• Fear of not having enough time.

• Fear of getting it wrong.

What makes these fears particularly powerful is that they rarely announce themselves as fear. They show up as believable stories that sound like facts.

“I just need to learn a bit more first.”
“Now isn’t the right moment.”
“Other people are better at this.”

Over time, these narratives can quietly keep us playing smaller than we intend, even when our desire to grow is strong.

Join me in this episode to uncover why fear isn’t a stop sign, but a signal, and how recognising it can help you grow your business with more trust, clarity and ease.

💡 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

⭐ Why handwritten notes cut through digital and AI noise

⭐ Why fear often disguises itself as logic

⭐ The four fears that quietly drive perfectionism, procrastination, and self-doubt

⭐ How these fears show up for introverts in particular

⭐And how working with fear, instead of trying to get rid of it, can make business feel lighter and more aligned

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🎧  Prefer to Listen?

Visit: www.melittacampbell.com/podcast

 

Or subscribe to the 'Art of Value Whispering Podcast' on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

 

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📍 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – 03:30
Welcome and introduction to the episode
Why this conversation is the perfect way to start the year

03:30 – 08:30
Mark’s background in design, communication, and publishing
How confidence, not tools, became the real sales challenge

08:30 – 12:30
How the four fears emerged from coaching conversations
Why these fears affect everyone, not just salespeople

12:30 – 16:30
The four fears explained in simple language
Not ready, not good enough, not enough time, fear of failure

16:30 – 20:30
Fear vs truth
How fears masquerade as facts and how to spot them

20:30 – 25:00
Imposter syndrome and “not being good enough”
Why evidence matters more than feelings

25:00 – 29:30
Perfectionism, procrastination, and the fear of not being ready
Why progress beats perfection every time

29:30 – 33:30
Introversion, energy, and fear
How introverts experience and manage fear differently

33:30 – 38:30
The fear of failure as the umbrella fear
Reframing failure through facts instead of emotion

38:30 – 42:00
Why fear isn’t the enemy
How embracing fear can guide better decisions

42:00 – 45:00
Saying no, setting boundaries, and business bravery
Mark’s final advice and where to find his quiz and book

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Higher Voltage Event Invitation: 

If this conversation resonated and you’re a solopreneur who wants to grow stronger without burning out, I’ll be sponsoring the Higher Voltage event in London this January the 22nd.

Higher Voltage is a one-day, in-person business growth event created specifically for solopreneurs, focused on clarity, value and sustainable growth.

As one of the main sponsors, I’m able to offer you an exclusive 25% discount.

Simply use the code WHISPER at checkout.

 Find out more and book your spot here:

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About Your Host, Melitta Campbell

Melitta Campbell is an award-winning business coach, TEDx speaker, author of A Shy Girl’s Guide to Networking and founder of The Value Whispering Circle.

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Through her Value WhisperingTM Blueprint, she helps introverted female entrepreneurs build quietly impactful businesses that grow through clarity, trust, and alignment.
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Learn more about working with Melitta here

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