Josh Cary

Stop Hiding. Start Moving: Why 2026 Is the Year Entrepreneurs Step Forward

The United States of America has always been built by makers.

Long before mass production and overnight shipping, this country grew through hands-on craftsmanship—through people who forged steel, sewed garments, painted stories, captured moments, brewed beverages, wrote songs, and built businesses from nothing but grit and belief. That spirit is still alive today, even if it sometimes gets drowned out by algorithms and convenience.

As we step into 2026, I wanted to start the year with a conversation that felt honest, grounding, and deeply relevant—not just for makers, but for anyone building something of their own.

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse—a symbol of momentum, endurance, courage, and forward motion. The horse doesn’t overthink the path. It commits to it. And for entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders, that symbolism couldn’t be more timely.

That’s why this episode of Makers of the USA features Josh Cary, host of The Hidden Entrepreneur—a platform dedicated to uncovering the truths we bury in order to belong.

Josh spent decades hiding behind masks, roles, and external validation. On paper, he was successful—an actor, a filmmaker, a performer. But internally, he felt unfulfilled. Like so many entrepreneurs, he was chasing approval instead of alignment.

It wasn’t until he made the decision to stop hiding—really stop—that things changed.

What struck me most in our conversation wasn’t just Josh’s journey, but how universal it is. Fear doesn’t disappear when you become successful. In many cases, it gets louder. Leaders fear being seen. Founders fear being judged. Creators fear being irrelevant. And too often, we convince ourselves we “don’t have a story” worth telling.

But here’s the truth Josh shared that stuck with me:

Your story doesn’t have to be monumental to be meaningful.

What matters is your core belief—the lens through which you see the world. That belief shapes how you lead, how you create, and why you do what you do. And when you can articulate it clearly, everything else—your brand, your messaging, your confidence—starts to fall into place.

Josh works with entrepreneurs, executives, and senior leaders who look successful from the outside but feel blocked on the inside. The roadblock is rarely strategy. It’s fear. Fear of wasting time. Fear of looking foolish. Fear that putting yourself out there won’t matter.

But storytelling—especially when used intentionally across podcasts, media, and platforms—isn’t about ego. It’s about connection. It’s about helping people understand why you do what you do, not just what you sell.

As a publicist and storyteller, I see this every day. The brands and people who resonate most aren’t the loudest—they’re the most real.

That’s why this conversation felt like the perfect way to open the year.

The Year of the Horse doesn’t ask for perfection. It asks for movement. For courage. For choosing not to hide anymore.

And if you’re standing at the edge of your next chapter—unsure, unseen, or hesitant—this episode is your reminder:

You already know what you’re capable of. Now it’s time to move.

Yeehaw, 2026. Let’s ride.