Featured on the Voted Least Likely Podcast: The Exit Strategy

When Leah Yard invited me onto her show, The Voted Least Likely Podcast, I knew the conversation would be a special one. Leah has a way of asking questions that peel back the polished layers of entrepreneurship to reveal what really happens behind the scenes. Her show isn’t about picture-perfect success stories. It’s about the failures, the self-doubt, and the messy middle that often leads to something far more meaningful.

Our episode, The Exit Strategy: How Vanessa Bucceri Built a Life on Her Own Terms, touched on all of it. We talked about trusting yourself in business, learning to balance intuition with structure, and redefining what success looks like when you work for yourself. But at its core, our conversation was about failure – what it looks like, how it feels, and why it’s one of the most valuable parts of the creative process.

Here’s what we’ll cover

If you’ve ever felt behind, uncertain, or caught between good taste and growing skill, this one’s for you. In this post, we’ll explore:

• What I shared on the Voted Least Likely Podcast
• The truth about failure and creative entrepreneurship
• How the taste gap helped me navigate imposter syndrome
• The lessons that come from trusting yourself and taking imperfect action

What We Talked About on the Voted Least Likely Podcast

Leah started by asking about my path to design and entrepreneurship, a winding mix of interior design, corporate analytics, and eventually, creative business ownership. It’s not a story of straight lines or easy decisions. It’s one of curiosity, courage, and a lot of trial and error.

Becoming a mom was the turning point that pushed me to finally take the leap. I was tired of missing milestones because of long commutes and rigid schedules. I wanted freedom, creativity, and something that felt like mine. That decision led to founding my design studio, and seven years later, I’ve worked with clients around the world. But it didn’t come without its challenges.

We talked about the roller coaster of entrepreneurship. The highs of client wins and the quiet months that make you question everything. The creative vulnerability of sending off a first draft that might not land. And the lonely moments of being the only person responsible for every decision, mistake, and success. It’s all part of it. And yet, I wouldn’t trade a second.

Why Failure is a Data Point, Not a Dead End

Failure has a way of teaching us what success never could. In the early years, there were definitely hard moments like projects that didn’t go as planned, designs that missed the mark, and quiet seasons that tested my resolve. But giving up was never an option. I wanted this to work so badly that I stayed all in. There was no plan B, just a steady determination to keep showing up and learning as I went.

Over time, I learned to see those moments simply as information. Tidbits of information that helps you refine your approach, improve your systems, and trust yourself a little more each time.

As I shared with Leah, this perspective completely changed how I run my business. Instead of spiraling after something doesn’t work, I ask: What did I learn? What will I do differently next time? The more I act, the more information I gather. That’s how growth happens.

It reminded me of something Sarah Blakely has often shared, how her dad used to ask her every day, “What did you fail at today?” It reframed failure as something worth celebrating, because it meant she was trying. That mindset has helped me see that each so-called failure is actually progress in disguise.

The Taste Gap and Learning to Trust the Process

When I first started designing, I knew what I wanted my work to look like. But it never quite matched what I saw in my head. I could feel the gap between my vision and my ability, and it was frustrating. I later learned this has a name: The Taste Gap.

Ira Glass describes it perfectly. It’s the idea that creative people get into their craft because they have great taste, but in the beginning, their work doesn’t live up to that taste. Most people quit in that gap because it’s uncomfortable. But the only way through it is to keep going.

That concept became a lifeline for me. It helped me navigate imposter syndrome and trust that if I kept creating, I’d eventually close the gap. It taught me that mastery is built in the doing, not the doubting. Even now, I remind myself that discomfort is a sign of growth, not failure.

Trusting Yourself in Business

The hardest part of entrepreneurship isn’t the skill-building or the strategy. It’s the self-trust. We’re constantly surrounded by experts and marketing messages telling us what we should do. I’ve fallen into that trap, signing up for courses or following someone else’s blueprint, only to realize I already knew what I needed to do. I just needed to listen to myself.

Leah and I talked about that balance of using strategy as structure but letting intuition guide the way. For me, success isn’t about chasing trends or scaling fast. It’s about doing work I’m proud of, supporting people doing great things, and creating a business that allows space for family, rest, and creativity. That’s my version of success.

Ready to Listen?

If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing your way forward, I hope this conversation gives you a little comfort and maybe even some motivation to keep going. You can listen to the full episode here:

The Exit Strategy: How Vanessa Bucceri Built a Life on Her Own Terms

Key Takeaways

• Failure is feedback. It’s not the end, it’s information that guides your next step.
• The taste gap is proof that your vision is strong. Keep creating until your skills catch up.
• Trust yourself. You already have the answers you need.
• Success isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress, purpose, and self-belief.

Recommended Resources

• Authority Magazine Feature: How Visibility Builds a Personal Brand
• Read Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
• How my Business Came to Life – A Brand Origin Story
• Hear Ira Glass explain The Taste Gap