Those who dared: the power of first steps
Introduction
Taking the first step is never easy. Most of the time, fear of failure, uncertainty, or social pressure paralyzes us and makes us set our dreams aside. But there are those who, despite all of that, overcome that barrier and decide to dare to start, even if no one else understands and even if the odds are against them. They choose to give themselves the chance to see what happens, preferring to take a risk rather than live with the doubt of “what if…?”
These 5 role models are people who didn’t wait to have everything perfect or all the answers; who understood that the first move is what creates momentum, opens doors, and gives those dreams a chance to become reality. This blog is a tribute to all those people who dared to start and who, through their courage, inspired millions.
Those who dared
1. Richard Branson – Starting a Business Without Fear
Richard Branson started his first business at 16, with a magazine called Student. He was a young man with dyslexia, no business experience, and a challenging academic history, but he had a clear idea: he wanted to create something that made a difference. The first issue was a financial failure, but he didn’t let that stop him and kept going.
Later, he founded Virgin Records, facing the established music industry and huge competitors. Branson was criticized and underestimated for his youth and unconventional approach, but he understood something key: every small step and every mistake was a learning experience that brought him closer to his vision.
With Virgin Group, he gradually grew and expanded his businesses into airlines, trains, and even space tourism, demonstrating that taking risks early and learning along the way is more powerful than waiting for everything to be perfect.
“Successful entrepreneurs don’t wait for perfect conditions. They start and adjust along the way.”
Branson teaches us that taking the first step, even if small, even at a young age, is the start of building your dream and perhaps the beginning of a great success story.
2. Nelson Mandela – The First Step Towards Change
Nelson Mandela grew up in a deeply unjust and segregated system. From a young age, he realized that staying silent was not an option. His first step was joining the African National Congress (ANC), participating in peaceful protests and organizing student and community movements. He knew these actions could cost him his freedom, or even his life, but he had a firm purpose: to fight for equality and justice.
In those early years, Mandela faced police surveillance, threats, and minor arrests. Every demonstration, every speech, and every secret meeting was an act of courage, and also a lesson: how to organize, mobilize, and resist. Every small step, though risky and uncertain, was a seed that planted change.
Later, his struggle led him to spend 27 years in prison. But even after decades of confinement, Mandela never lost sight of that initial drive: the decision to act, to not settle, to not wait for others to do what was right. His life shows that a single first step, no matter how small, can change the course of an entire nation.
“I will never give in to despair. Every step toward justice matters.”
Mandela reminds us that initial action is the beginning of any lasting transformation, and that the courage to start can overcome even the greatest obstacles.
3. Serena Williams – Starting Young and Defying Expectations
Serena Williams grew up in Compton, a place with limited resources and many social challenges. From an early age, she committed to intense training under conditions that could discourage anyone: worn-down public courts, extreme heat, rain, or skeptical looks from those who didn’t believe in her potential.
Her decisive first step was committing to daily tennis discipline. Her family, especially her father, supported her unconditionally, but the professional tennis world did not expect to see an African-American girl dominate international tournaments. Serena faced skeptical coaches, underestimated rivals, and gender and racial biases that sought to slow her progress.
Every first swing on the court, every local tournament won, was a step toward a much bigger path. Those early beginnings, full of effort, rejection, and small victories, laid the foundation for a historic career: 23 Grand Slams and a legacy that transcends sports.
Serena teaches us that daring to start from the ground up, even when others doubt you, is the key to future greatness, and that commitment to passion and perseverance turns the first step into an extraordinary journey.
“You don’t need to be ready. Take the first shot, and the rest will be built with hard work and passion.”
4. Jeff Bezos – Leaving Security to Build Something Big
Jeff Bezos worked on Wall Street with a stable, secure future, but he felt his true passion was in e-commerce. His decisive first step was risking it all: leaving his job, moving to Seattle, and starting to sell books online from his garage.
The first days were a constant challenge: dealing with few customers, logistical problems, limited inventory, and fierce competition. Many nights ended late, packing orders himself, fixing shipping mistakes, and learning on the go how the business really worked. Every small achievement, every problem solved, was a step toward building an empire no one could have predicted.
Bezos had no guarantees, no perfect plan; he only knew that after taking that first step, he had to keep moving forward, or he would never discover his true potential. That initial courage and willingness to learn as he went laid the foundation for Amazon, transforming a garage into one of the world’s largest businesses.
“If you don’t take the first step, you’ll never know how far you can go.”
His story shows that daring to start, even from zero and without security, is the spark that ignites great transformations. You can’t go through life without discovering your true potential. Action, more than certainty, drives success.
5. Oprah Winfrey – Taking Initiative in the Face of Adversity
Oprah Winfrey was born into poverty and faced abuse, discrimination, and constant obstacles from childhood. However, her first step toward greatness was accepting a job at a local television station in Nashville—a small but decisive opportunity. At first, she was criticized for her style, her voice, and her way of communicating; many thought she didn’t fit conventional television.
Rather than giving up, Oprah took every challenge as a lesson. Every broadcast, every interview, and every project were steps that built confidence, skill, and vision. She learned to connect with people authentically, to listen, and to tell stories that made an impact.
Gradually, she transformed every rejection and obstacle into momentum: she went from local host to leading her own national show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, which revolutionized television. Her first small step opened the door to a media empire based on authenticity, inspiration, and education, touching millions of lives around the world.
“Take a step, even if small, and the universe will move with you.”
Oprah’s story reminds us that daring to start, even in the face of adversity and without guarantees, can be the beginning of an impact that transcends generations. Initial action, combined with consistency and learning, is the spark that transforms your life… and the lives of millions.
Conclusion
Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela, Serena Williams, Jeff Bezos, and Oprah Winfrey have something in common: they all took a brave first step, even without guarantees and even when no one understood them.
That first move generates momentum, opens new opportunities, fear loses power over you, and turns ideas into action. It’s the difference between those who dream and those who create. You have to take action every day.
Daring to start doesn’t mean having everything figured out; it means acting with intention, learning from mistakes, and trusting that every step, no matter how small, adds up.
Live with purpose.
Take your first step today.
Remember: a Creator’s journey begins when you dare to take the first step.