The Email That Stopped Me in My Tracks
If I’m being honest, I almost didn’t apply. I had to battle overcoming my all too persistent self-doubt in the biggest way.
It was Monday morning, May 26th, 2025. I was working on my 3rd cup of coffee, scrolling through emails, when I opened a newsletter from Startup Canada. The subject line said there was a $10,000 Equal Slice Pitch Competition for early stage entrepreneurs.
$10,000 Equal Slice Pitch Competition
It was the last day to throw my name in the hat.
Right away, that little voice in my head piped up:
- “You’re not ready.”
- “Other businesses are bigger.”
- “Who are you to think you belong there?”
- “You’re not worthy.“
The Voice of Doubt
That small voice is a familiar companion. I’ve spent most of my life proving it wrong, one decision at a time.
But even now, self-doubt sneaks in when I’m about to do something brave.
My Why
I thought about the women I’ve worked with—those brushed off by tradespeople, or too intimidated to pick up a tool. Women who just want to feel confident in their own homes and businesses.
Then I remembered a statistic I’ve heard many times:
Men often apply for opportunities even if they meet less than half the requirements. Women? We tend to hold back until we feel 100% ready. Women have to learn to overcome self-doubt by taking chances on our selves.
That hit me, hard.
Walking My Own Talk
I thought: If I’m going to keep telling other women to take chances, I’d better walk that talk myself.
So, I opened up the application and started typing.
I wrote about Canadian Handywoman—how it’s more than fixing leaky faucets. It’s about helping women feel safe, capable, and respected. I shared my vision of expanding through DIY workshops and how this grant could help make it happen.
When I finally hit submit, it felt like more than sending in a form.
It felt like giving myself permission to step into something bigger.
And here’s the thing: I had no idea that tiny act of courage would turn into an experience that changed everything.
Why Hitting Submit Mattered
Photograph of Tammy Watson in her workshop, wearing a denim shirt and apron. As Canadian Handywoman, Tammy provides home repairs, small builds, and DIY training, inspiring women to feel confident, capable, and in control of their spaces.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about applying for something—anything—I hope this gives you a nudge to overcome your self. Even if your voice shakes and the timing isn’t perfect, bet on yourself. Remember what Wayne Gretzky said—“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
You never know what might happen when you decide to champion your own confidence and mindset.
Stay tuned—next time, I’ll take you behind the scenes of Pitch Day at Google Canada, nerves and all.
👉 Read the Full Winning Pitch:
See exactly what I shared to earn $10,000 for Canadian Handywoman. Click HERE to download my pitch. I hope it gives you the little nudge you need to share your own big idea.
👉 Sometimes you just need to talk it through
If you’ve got a project in mind or a skill you’d like to build, I’d love to help you out. If you’re unsure where to start, book a free 15-minute Discovery Call and we’ll chat about your project or repair. Ready to get right to it? Book a 45-minute Confidence Call ($99) and get clear answers, a solid plan, and the know-how to move forward — no guesswork, no stress.
👉 Looking for a Speaker or Collaborator?
If your organization believes in empowering women, confidence and mindset, or workshops for women, I’d love to connect. Click here to book a discovery call with me today!
