private lending first deal vs delaying first deal

[Billy Archer]

I had a meeting with a BP member last week.  He asked me why I haven't considered other people's money to start my investing journey (I am currently sidelined from the first step of my investing journey since I am saving for an engagement ring).  My concern is why would anyone give a newbie $10K-25K for a downpayment and rehab that hasn't demonstrated their own real estate investing abilities in practice?  By considering the question he asked, I must admit there is a sense of the fear of the unknown here that prevents me from considering it whole-heartedly.  If I can find someone like a family member or friend to loan that amount of money to me, it would be exciting yet terrifying to get that money from them, yet there's a chance they'll never see that money again if all fails.  Whereas if I screw up the first deal, at least I'm the only one that stays broke.  

How do you reconcile this?  Is it reconcilable?  Do you keep your head down and hustle/grind your way to your down payment, or do you desensitize yourself to the fear and seek private lending regardless?