Courage, a whisper louder than fear
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
By Elicen Renz
Founder of Benny Bee Wear
I never imagined that the hardest moment of an ordinary morning would change my entire life. One day, while trying to get my son dressed for school, what should have been a simple task turned into a frustrating battle of wills. I was loosing my patience, so I walked into the bathroom, and looked at myself in the mirror, exhausted. In that quiet moment, a thought struck me: “If this feels so hard for me, what about mothers of children with special needs? Have you ever thought of how much harder it must be for them?”
That was the moment courage whispered louder than fear.
I didn’t have a clear roadmap, only a conviction in my heart. I began researching adaptive clothing, ergonomics, and accessibility. I reached out to families of children with disabilities, listening to their challenges and learning about their everyday battles. The more I listened, the more I understood that I was being called to create something far beyond fashion. That’s how Benny Bee Wear was born -a clothing brand designed to bring comfort, inclusion and dignity to children with disabilities.
Starting this journey was a mix of curiosity, courage and terrifying moments . I didn’t have investors, a big team, or financial backing. I worked nights as a doula to fund each step of the project, while my husband carried the family expenses during the day. There were countless moments when fear told me I wasn’t ready, that my ideas weren’t perfect enough, that I should wait. But God encouraged and taught me that perfection is not the goal; purpose is.
What sustained me was the belief that clothing could be more than fabric. Every piece I designed had to affirm a child’s sense of worth, identity and fun, not just meet a functional need. My guiding principle became one word, written in capital letters in my heart: DIGNITY.
Along the way, I was blessed with mentors who encouraged me to stop overthinking and to act. Their guidance reminded me that the magic doesn’t just happen, it is created at each step forward, no matter how small.
One of the most powerful affirmations came from my son. After school one day, he saw a little girl using a walker. Later, as we walked to the car, he turned to me and said: “Mom, you’re going to help all these children, right? And they’ll be able to be astronauts, surfers, or whatever they want. I love you, Mom.” Hearing that, I knew that what I was building was a movement, a promise to every child that they deserve to be seen, celebrated, and free to dream.
The outcomes of stepping boldly into this purpose go far beyond sales or recognition. They are measured in the stories of families who tell me they feel seen for the first time, in the communities forming around Benny Bee, and in the dignity our clothing brings to children who have so often been overlooked.
Courage, for me, was not the absence of fear. It was deciding that the purpose God placed in my heart was bigger than fear itself. And once I stepped forward with faith, everything else began to fall into place.
They say bees weren’t made to fly, but by God’s design, they do it beautifully. So, remember that just like them, you were created to rise above what seems impossible. If you’re an entrepreneur ready to give up, keep it in mind: your dream was placed in your heart for a reason. Trust God’s plan, keep going, and watch your wings carry you further than you imagined.
Connect With Elicen
Instagram: @bennybeewear
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