EPISODE 38: Uncomfortable Growth
Getting in the Room Before You Feel Ready
Let me just say it: growth is uncomfortable as hell.
If you’ve ever sat in a room full of brilliant, visionary humans and thought, “What am I even doing here?” …you’re not alone. I’ve been there. Darren’s been there. And today’s post is all about that exact moment when fear tells you to run, but your purpose whispers: “Stay.”
In Episode 38 of the Mr. & Mrs. CEO Podcast, Darren and I opened up about our journey through three years of mastermind participation; what it taught us about business, leadership, and, most surprisingly… ourselves.
So if you’re feeling like you’re not ready, not qualified, or not enough to be in certain rooms, consider this your personal invite to lean in anyway.
Why We Almost Didn’t Go Back
Let’s rewind for a second.
Three years ago, we invested in a high-level mastermind. At the time, I knew we needed to get in rooms where people were building the kinds of businesses we dreamed about: multi-million-dollar brands with heart, intention, and major impact. But we didn’t know anyone in franchising at that scale. And the truth? It was intimidating as hell.
Darren was skeptical at first. (Let’s be honest: telling a tradesman we’re going to spend how much to talk to strangers in a room called a “mastermind” is a hard sell.) …But we took the leap.
And that first year? We both felt wildly out of place. Like we were playing dress-up in a room full of real CEOs. Darren barely slept before our turn to speak. I second-guessed everything. We thought about walking away more than once.
But here’s the thing: we stayed.
From Intimidation to Integration
Year two got easier. We started forming real relationships. The anxiety quieted just enough to make space for learning.
By year three, everything clicked.
Darren started seeing himself not just as someone “sitting in the room,” but as someone who belonged there. He realized he wasn’t the only one who got nervous before speaking. That his decades of experience in building and exiting businesses actually brought real value to the group.
I watched him transform, stepping into his leadership role with a quiet confidence that said: “I may not know it all, but I sure know something.” He began reaching out, contributing to others, and seeing his insights land.
It was beautiful. And it wasn’t just a business shift… it was a personal one.
Growth Doesn’t Always Feel Like Winning
If you’re looking for a moment that says, “I’ve made it,” you might be waiting a long time.
What I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t always feel like winning. It often feels like:
Awkward elevator pitches
Comparing yourself to people with bigger platforms
Wondering if your ideas are “big enough” to matter
Wanting to turn around and walk out of the room
But staying? Showing up anyway? That’s where the magic happens.
We’ve grown our franchise business, Door Gurus, into a national brand—but the internal growth? That’s been just as powerful.
From vision to execution, we’ve stopped asking if we’re qualified and started asking how we can lead with heart and humility. We’ve leaned into what Darren calls his “fear arrow”—that internal tension that tells him he’s stepping into something meaningful.
The Room Will Stretch You
In my journal the other day, I wrote this:
“Three years ago, I didn’t feel like I had anything to offer. But now I know... I do. And more than that, I know where and when I’m called to offer it.”
That’s the power of staying in the room. You go from uncertain to unwavering. From small talk to impact. From fearful to foundational.
And guess what? It doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in layers. In presence. In uncomfortable, but transformational, growth.
So if you’re standing at the door of a room that scares you… walk in.
Stay.
Sit in the discomfort long enough to let your courage catch up. Because the truth is, you’re not behind. You’re just growing into the vision you were given.
Final Thoughts: It Can Be Done
One of my favourite things Darren shared in this episode came from his dad: “It can be done.”
That simple phrase has carried us through doubt, fatigue, and the heavy work of building something meaningful from the ground up. It’s become a quiet anthem on the hard days.
So if you need the reminder: You can do it. It can be done. And it’s absolutely worth doing.
Stay Connected with Mr. & Mrs. CEO
We’d love to continue this conversation! Connect with us on social media:
Darren’s Instagram: @darren.hiebert
Kim’s Instagram: @kimberley.hiebert
Darren’s LinkedIn: Darren Hiebert
Kim’s LinkedIn: Kimberley Hiebert
Website: Mr. & Mrs. CEO