As George Addair once said, “Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.” For AquaMaid’s CEO Sophie Coutu, a recent excursion during one of her business trips reminded her of how doing things that are uncomfortable can lead to amazing new experiences and growth.

During a recent trip to L.A.,  Sophie went skydiving—something she had always wanted to do. The experience proved to be exhilarating, exciting, and truly unforgettable. It’s as if, in her words, “You see Google Earth!” What’s even more impressive is that she went for this experience alone. Although scary, it was a lot of fun and brought back memories of how starting a business was like for her.

Into the Unknown

When Sophie first started her commercial cleaning business in Grande Prairie, she didn’t know anything about anything. What she did know, however, was that she was going to do it—the same feeling she felt when she went skydiving. She wanted to do it regardless of how scary and uncomfortable she knew it was going to be.

For a lot of people, businessowners or otherwise, “testing the waters” is the safer route to take. Having a feel of the temperature to help determine whether to take a plunge or not. For Sophie, establishing her first business and going skydiving were very similar. She knew she had to jump and face the fears head on!

The First Time is Always the Scariest

Everybody has boundaries, comfort zones… places where they’d like to be and stay in because it’s familiar. However, growth happens beyond these safe places everybody loves being in. Whenever someone tries out something new, these boundaries stretch and new experiences are added under your belt. Before you get there though, you have to overcome the discomfort and fear.

“When you get comfortable with something, this is where it’s hard to jump,” says Sophie. Endless opportunities await beyond that scary first step—or jump, though!

Think about it this way… sometimes, not knowing about what you’re about to face might just be what you need to kickstart and ultimately achieve something amazing. It’s like renovating a space, cleaning out your entire house, or putting together a 1000-piece puzzle. If you knew the hard work and hours that go into the end result, you might chicken out and not do it at all! But when you take a step back and look at the wonderful result of your labours, you’ll thank yourself for taking that difficult first step.

A “Can-Do” Attitude

As scary as trying out new things are, each person has unlimited potential. Great minds from different centuries believe this to be true, and innovators from different eras have proven this time and again. As long as you set your mind on a goal, you will be able to achieve it!

Jumping by yourself, like Sophie did on that skydiving experience, it isn’t something a lot of people often do. More often than not, people are inclined to have someone hold their hand, so to speak, when about to embark on a new and terrifying journey. While it is important to acknowledge that there is strength and so much value from having support, everyone should also keep in mind that a can-do attitude will go a long, long way.

An only child, Sophie learned to do a lot of things by herself and that if she wanted and had something that needed to be done, she didn’t have to wait for anyone. If she can do it herself, she will, and to the highest standards! Because of her strong will and faith in personal abilities, she trusted that feeling to jump and take the risks that came with starting a business. Thus, AquaMaid was born and to this day, it provides the best cleaning services in Grande Prairie carried out by a team of dedicated professionals. 

Who would have thought it all started with overcoming fears, right?