How Blessing Uchendu Is Learning to Build, Be Seen, and Bet on Herself

Blessing Uchendu brings a refreshing honesty to the entrepreneurial journey, sharing not only what she is building, but who she is becoming along the way. Her reflections offer a thoughtful look at the courage it takes to trust yourself more deeply, release expectations that no longer fit, and create from a place of authenticity rather than obligation.

In this Q&A, Blessing—who practices somatic leadership coaching—opens up about the inner work she does with Freshwater Counseling & Consulting, from learning to honor her own voice to embracing visibility, ambition, and support in new ways. Her story is a testament to the fact that building a business is rarely just about strategy or success on paper. It is also about identity, self-worth, courage, and the ongoing process of becoming more fully yourself.

Through her openness, Blessing invites readers into a more honest conversation about what it can look like to build something meaningful while continuing to grow, heal, and expand.

Did you always know that you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Not at all! It just kind of happened. I had always been someone with a plan and I liked stability, so I don't think it's a coincidence that I became an entrepreneur in 2020 when life as we’d known it was completely upended. It was in the midst of that disruption that I had a moment of clarity letting me know that the end of my time working for others had arrived. Despite the fear, it was time to take the risk and bet on myself.

How do you celebrate successes along the way?

I'm actually not great at this. Recently, I was crying to my therapist about how I'm not having fun and enjoying my work. What I realized in that session—yet again—is that I have a hard time slowing down enough to let wins actually land in my body. Instead, I barely acknowledge them and keep it moving toward the next goal. 

As awkward as it feels, my commitment is to continue making lists of my monthly wins and taking a moment to actually feel the joy of accomplishment and pride in myself. I want to feel the warmth in my chest and the smile on my face and to savor the moment. Hopefully, this becomes the fuel for my achievement so I can move away from constantly pushing myself.

What have you learned about building a team and a support network around yourself?

Dreamers & Doers has been such a godsend, in no small part because of how lonely I have felt as an entrepreneur. It's so incredible to have access to other women who have a vision and are bringing that vision into being. It's really hard to do this type of work alone. Trusting that this thing that doesn't yet exist can come into being never stops feeling like an act of faith. 

Something about being with others on this journey and hearing about their experiences helps strengthen my faith in possibility. For my business to thrive, I realize I will need to build a team. Even if it's not full-time staff, I need to bring on people with different expertise to increase my capacity to grow and be more deliberate with my energy.

What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting your company?

You just need to try some sh*t! Historically, I have been such a perfectionist and so inclined to plan things to death, only taking action when they're well organized. But this is antithetical to the entrepreneurial journey. Now, I’m realizing that this journey is really about our ability to play. I was such a serious child, so it's actually delightful to learn how to engage with play through my business. 

My work is really taking off the constraints, dreaming even bigger, exploring, and seeing what works. Yes, it matters because it's my income and livelihood, but I also think being able to bring more levity and curiosity can go a long way when sustaining what can be a tough journey.

Have you ever felt like you’re “different”? If yes, in what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur?

Hell yeah. I still do! Because of this, most of the advice out there about how to run a business doesn't resonate for me, especially as a Black woman. I've had to work on my insecurity about not having a business or corporate background and trust my intuition instead of outsourcing my own authority. Each time I encounter a coach or a program with advice meant to speak to the masses, I try to shake off what doesn't work and take what actually resonates for my particular experience. It's definitely still a work in progress.

In what ways have your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?

I am the child of immigrants and am Nigerian-American. Between culture and growing up Black in America, there are ways that I learned to be small, well-behaved, compliant, and useful to others. My version of entrepreneurship has asked different things of me: to be bold, to tell the truth even when it's uncomfortable, and to be authentic to myself first and foremost. While I have no model for how to be an entrepreneur, I do feel that the spirit of Naija no dey carry last (“Nigerians never come last”) is deep in me, and it is part of what fuels my ambition and desire for excellence in all that I do. Now, I see that my healing journey has taught me that my most sustainable ambition is rooted in my self-worth, not a need to prove my worth.

What’s next for you and your career?

Visibility! I know that being visible is supposed to be what one does when you have a business, but for me, visibility is the antidote to hiding. I have so much goodness to share with the world and I feel ready to be visible. For me, that looks like expanding my presence through more speaking. I love 1:1 work and am excited to expand my impact through speaking and facilitation.