Imperfect Courage

Do it scared. Run boldly toward your dreams, even if your legs shake as you go.

1. Courage starts with one small step

Courage does not demand complete fearlessness; it requires a willingness to act despite fear. Jessica Honegger didn’t set out to create a multi-million-dollar business; she simply sought a way to fund her dream of adopting a child. The fear of failure and uncertainty clung to her, yet she decided to host a jewelry sale in her home.

This event marked her first brave step. The success that evening fueled another step, and another, eventually growing into her global business, Noonday. Her courage was anything but perfect, but it was enough to begin. Building something meaningful doesn’t require certainty, only the decision to start.

Taking small steps toward courage teaches others to do the same. Honegger’s initial leap inspired numerous women she worked with, including Ugandan artisans, to take their own brave leaps into business and self-reliance.

Examples

• Honegger admitted to being scared no one would come to her first jewelry sale.
• Friends supported her first step because of the story behind her cause.
• Artisans in Uganda thrived once given the chance to sell their creations.

2. Comfort zones can stifle purpose

Living in a bubble of comfort limits personal growth and contribution. It’s easy to stick to cozy routines, like evenings on the couch or avoiding new challenges, but this often leads to a life lacking purpose or depth.

Honegger believes true fulfillment comes from stepping out of comfort zones, even if imperfectly. Her own leap—selling jewelry out of her home—was uncomfortable, but it became the gateway to discovering her purpose, as a mother and a businesswoman committed to making a difference.

When you choose courage over comfort, you create ripples of change. Honegger found inspiration in women across cultures—those bravely making sacrifices and overcoming challenges. Their courage became her own motivation to continue stepping outside her comfort zone.

Examples

• Honegger began her business with no prior experience, leaning into discomfort.
• Adopting from Rwanda required financial and emotional risks.
• A Ugandan artisan found courage to create change for herself by working with Noonday.

3. Use your voice to claim opportunities

Silence can sabotage opportunities. Cultural conditioning often teaches women to remain quiet or deferential, but staying silent can hold one back from meaningful results.

During her adoption process in Rwanda, Honegger confronted a seemingly hopeless situation where timing was critical. Adoptions faced delays, jeopardizing her chance to take her son home. Nervous but resolute, she spoke directly to the judge and respectfully requested urgent action. Her courage unlocked approvals for everyone present that day.

Honegger's story reminds readers to trust their gut and speak up, even when it’s frightening. Sometimes, voicing your needs can lead to outcomes that transform not only your own life but also the lives of others.

Examples

• Honegger addressed a Rwandan judge, leading to immediate adoption permissions.
• Speaking on panels inspired Honegger to share her insecurities honestly.
• Women in her network found empowerment in being vocal about dreams and fears.

4. Ditch impossible ideals and embrace yourself

Chasing perfection is exhausting and unrealistic. Many women push themselves to meet unattainable standards they believe will make them feel worthy. Whether it’s body image, career success, or parenting, constantly “keeping up” detracts from appreciating who they already are.

Honegger reminds readers to take a global view—what one culture rejects as an imperfection may be a trait celebrated elsewhere. Recognizing the subjectivity of beauty and worth can alleviate self-criticism.

A key approach to self-acceptance is changing the way you label yourself. Words matter, and softer language toward your perceived shortcomings helps nurture self-worth, encouraging you to see yourself as a whole, multifaceted person.

Examples

• Only 2 percent of women globally say they wouldn’t change their physical appearance.
• African cultures often embrace fuller bodies, appreciating signs of plenty.
• Honegger reframed her self-talk about not being a “real” businesswoman.

5. Vulnerability fosters authentic connection

Revealing your vulnerabilities invites connection. It’s tempting to hide fears or weaknesses to appear strong, but embracing vulnerability opens doors to empathy, support, and understanding.

Honegger shared the story of Hope, a Ugandan girl with HIV. When Hope admitted her condition to Jalia Matovu, it broke the barrier of shame and unlocked a supportive path to treatment. Similarly, Honegger began sharing her business insecurities, such as feeling unqualified, finding that others related and admired her honesty.

By letting down walls, you break free of the need to appear perfect. Vulnerability builds bridges of trust, creating a sense of shared humanity.

Examples

• Hope overcame shame by sharing her truth, leading to healing and self-acceptance.
• Honegger admitted her doubts at business panels, finding deeper connections.
• Women at Noonday shared stories of struggle, creating a supportive sisterhood.

6. Support women, don’t judge them

Judgment weakens connections, while compassion strengthens them. Honegger encourages women to resist snap judgments about others’ parenting, appearance, or choices, replacing criticism with support.

She describes a moment in a shoe store where she initially judged a stressed-out mom struggling with noisy kids. Instead, she chose understanding, helped calm the child, and connected with the mother. Compassion built a bridge instead of a wall.

Around the world, women’s solidarity often makes the difference. Whether it’s advocating for a domestic violence victim or supporting new friends, choosing sisterhood fosters strength and change.

Examples

• Honegger’s shift from judgment to empathy helped a mom in a shoe store feel seen.
• Matovu showed solidarity by persisting with police after Nakato’s domestic abuse case.
• Noonday’s community of ambassadors uplifts women-owned artisan businesses worldwide.

7. Making small contributions matters

The problems of the world can feel overwhelming, but small, consistent acts can create a meaningful difference. Honegger watched her friend Dee foster and care for a teenage girl from Uganda, an experience that required immense time and dedication.

Though Honegger didn’t have the capacity to take on such a major role, she helped Dee in small ways, such as delivering groceries regularly. These acts lightened Dee’s load and demonstrated that even small support can matter.

The lesson is simple: You don’t have to do everything. Just find one small thing you can do to contribute.

Examples

• Dee fostered a Ugandan teenager in need of surgery for 18 months.
• Honegger brought Dee groceries to ease her responsibility.
• Heart Gallery uses photographers’ talents to find families for foster children.

8. Pace yourself for long-term impact

Burnout benefits no one. Caring for yourself ensures you can keep showing up fully for others. Rest, mindfulness, and boundaries are all essential to sustain your energy.

Honegger practices daily meditation with affirmations of self-worth, reminding herself not to chase perfection. She goes phone-free at home to stay present with her loved ones. With her team, she celebrates the effort employees put into their work, not just outcomes.

Self-care is not selfish; it replenishes your ability to contribute meaningfully and joyfully toward the causes that matter to you.

Examples

• Honegger repeats affirmations of her worth during meditation.
• Her children hold her accountable to staying offline during family time.
• Noonday celebrates ambassadors’ acts of courage over short-term results.

9. Courage inspires others to act

One person’s courage can create a ripple effect, motivating others to find their own bravery. By pursuing her dreams, Honegger has not only transformed her life but also supported thousands of artisans, many of whom are women.

Stories of courage—like Hope’s ability to face HIV openly or Jalia Matovu’s advocacy for domestic violence victims—reveal that standing up for yourself or others can ignite change across peoples and communities.

When you embrace courage, even imperfectly, you have the power to inspire solutions, spark hope, and create community.

Examples

• Noonday’s global reach employs artisans in over 12 countries.
• Ugandan partners modeled bravery to help workers escape dangerous situations.
• Ambassadors in the U.S. found empowerment through sales and advocacy.

Takeaways

1. Start small: Take a single step toward something that makes you uncomfortable but excites you.
2. Celebrate vulnerability: Share your fears with someone you trust and build stronger connections.
3. Be a ripple: Support someone else’s good work through even small acts that ease their load.