Starting a business isn’t about logos, websites, or waiting for the perfect timing. It’s about getting clear on what you want to build, pushing through fear, and taking real action before you feel ready. In Episode 2 of The Alpha Edge CEO Lounge, Loren Dougherty sits down with himself in a powerful, honest dialogue about what truly happens before you launch a business.

This is a raw look behind the curtain — not a motivational quote, but the real process and mindset shifts every entrepreneur faces. Loren breaks down the first real steps of entrepreneurship and the fears most people never talk about, using his own journey building Alpha Alarm & Audio, Elite Fitness Dixon, VendBoss, and How2Consulting as the foundation.

In this episode, Loren discusses:

• The #1 first step every entrepreneur must take: getting brutally clear on the problem you solve
• How to validate an idea quickly — with real customers, not friends
• Why starting messy is better than planning yourself into paralysis
• The three biggest fears people face when starting a business
• How those fears showed up in Loren’s life and shaped his journey
• Why fear never fully disappears — you just get better at moving through it
• How to build confidence through action, not waiting

Loren opens up about the early stages of his entrepreneurial path — the fear of failing publicly, looking stupid, losing money, or not knowing enough. He shares how these fears impacted him when building multiple companies from scratch, and how each business forced him to grow into the next version of himself.

You’ll hear how he pushed forward even when people were watching, when the pressure was high, and when there was no guarantee of success. This episode is full of straight talk for anyone who's thinking about starting a business or stuck overthinking the details.

You’ll learn:
– The difference between “wantrepreneurs” and real founders
– Why clarity comes from doing, not thinking
– How to move through fear without letting it stop your momentum
– The mindset shift that can change your entire future
– How to take the first step today, even if you feel unprepared
– Why perfection is the enemy of progress

If you’re looking for a real roadmap to the beginning of entrepreneurship — not the sugarcoated version — this episode will give you the truth. The fears are real. The doubts are real. But so is the opportunity on the other side of taking action.

If you’re watching on YouTube or any platform, make sure to subscribe and smash that like button so you never miss an episode. Big interviews with top CEOs and founders are coming soon, and you don’t want to miss the strategies they’ll share.

This is your reminder:
There is no perfect moment to start.
There is no perfect plan.
There is only fear, clarity, and your first step.

Press play — and get moving.