How to Stand Out by Bringing More Truth to Your Brand

What if I told you that you don’t have to be perfect in your business? In fact, that your “mistakes,” “failures,” and decided “human-ness” are actually HUGE assets and business gold?

Yep. It’s true. Vulnerability is brave & sexy. (And happens to be good for biz)

“58% of adults don’t trust a brand until they have seen ‘real world proof,” according to a consumer trust study conducted by Trinity Mirror. As we all know, it’s not necessary to look very hard to find evidence of brands being UN-trustworthy. (Wall Street, Pharma, Big Oil — we’re looking at you — and that’s just naming a few).

In other words, over half of your potential clients assume you don’t have their best interest at heart and can’t be trusted … until you prove to them otherwise.

Sounds daunting. But, for you, as a small business owner, there is a actually a real opportunity here to stand out in your industry.

“91% of consumers would reward a brand for its authenticity and 62% said they would either purchase a product from a brand they deem to be authentic or express greater interest in buying from that brand in the future,” per the Cohn & Wolfe authentic brand study.

What does it mean to be ‘authentic’ in business, anyway?

Whether you are the face of you brand or if you lean more towards a corporate identity — people always love to take a peek behind-the-scenes. Giving them an inside look brings more humanity to your brand and builds the know, like, and trust factor. (In other words, you start to feel like a trustworthy friend instead of an evil money-hungry corporation.) This is especially true if you give them a real glimpse, meaning not your typical super-curated, edited, and polished content, but a raw and real, “this is a day in the life…” sort of experience.

Furthermore, if your company does make a mistake: Own it! As appropriate, make a public apology, come up with a plan on how to fix it, make right with consumers affected, etc. What not to do: Try to sweep it under the rug. There is no hiding on the internet these days! Instead, turn your blunders into golden opportunities to authentically shine.

Additionally, publicly share your “learning opportunities” (sometimes referred to as ‘failures’). When you come from a place of, “we tried this, it didn’t work, this is what we learned from it” — it shows you aren’t hiding, you are willing to learn, and you openly share to help others, and above you are HUMAN too — all major trust-building qualities.

And, of course, the #1 way to be authentic in your branding is to share from your heart! Let them see your soul. Throw out the rulebook that says you have to show up a certain way in your business. It’s YOUR brand. You get to create the rules.

If you feel it in your heart that you would like to be a more authentic messenger and let your potential see and feel the REAL you, try on some of these journal prompts below!

Journaling is a conversation with our deepest self. Be unapologetically truthful in your journaling! Say all the things you’ve been holding back on. Speak your truth! This introspection leads us closer and closer to our truest voice.

Journaling to Authentic Voice

This is something that really gets me fired up (angry, impassioned, etc) about the world we live in and/or how things are. (Feel free to full on RANT here. Cuss if you have to. Say all the things you’ve always wanted to say! The more controversial/hot of a topic, the better. Don’t hold back.)

Who am I when I just let it all hang out? The real me. No mask. Just being real. How do I show up? Who is it that I can most be my authentic self around?

And, where am I hiding? Where does my voice feel suppressed? How do I find myself shrinking? Who is usually around when this happens?

What do I LOVE most in others? (We are all mirrors for each other, so this is a good clue as to what you love about yourself).

What TRIGGERS me? (It usually a quality or action in another that does this. Again, mirror in affect. Triggers can show you parts of yourself that need love/healing. When we heal our triggers, we find our truth)

If money was not an object, I would spend my days…

If I only had 6 months to live, I’d still need to…

Analyze

What did you learn through this exercise? Where is the gap between your authentic voice and how you are really showing up? Around who do you feel most comfortable and fully expressed? Around whom are you hiding? What steps can you take to be more authentic in your business AND life?

BONUS

Take one of the journal prompts & turn it into a Facebook post that you share publicly!

Here I am, a writer, with SO much to say right now… and feeling completely blocked. Like, it just doesn’t want to come out. AT ALL.

(The irony is not lost on me here as next week, I will be leading an oceanside writing workshop for conscious leaders to get free’d up and fully expressed in their messaging. One of the lessons is working through writer’s block. Oh, cheeky Universe!)

Meanwhile, my VA is messaging me for new content so she can do her thing, and I’m, like, “It’s totally coming!! It’s all on my heart. I just need some time and space to get it out.”

But, sitting here (late last night, actually) for hours, and I got NOTHING. I wrote myself in circles. Missing all the points. None of it felt right.

It usually flows so easily. This is the container I’ve created around being creative.

So, what’s happening?

Well, of course, I already know the answer. It’s within. It’s always within.

But, until getting honest, the “Oh, I’m blocked” writing in circles game was going to play itself in a continuous loop.

Truth is the greatest liberator. Always.

Looking through the lens of truth, I say, “So much is shifting and transitioning in my world right now — it’s hard to keep up with all the feels and express them in a meaningful way within the constraints of language.”

Sure. That could be my answer. I mean, I could totally get a pass on THAT being the cause of my block & let myself off the hook right there. Sounds good enough. Write about it. Tie in a happy ending. Send a link to my VA. Go about my day. And, it wouldn’t be wrong, per se…

But, truth doesn’t play like that. Not REAL truth anyway.

It knows when it’s being fully expressed. And when it’s being tiptoed around.

And, only you know the difference. You COULD get away with half-truths all day. Most of us play at that level, actually. But, it causes a lot of suffering. You already know this. Your soul always knows.

However, if you desire healing and ascension ~ you do the deep work. Even though it doesn’t feel good. There is no other way.

So, reluctantly, I chose diving deeper. Many hours of contemplation. And, that’s when, finally, I allowed it to bubble up. (As it always does, when you lean into surrendering.)

In another twist of irony, the message came through:

“You’re still hiding.”

What? (Ego talking:) This is news to me. I’ve done all the work ~ over a decade and counting. Like, it’s my job. I’m so out of hiding that I’m not even the same person, anymore! I mean, my business platform is built on becoming unleashed and fully expressed and bare naked and vulnerable and this is what I teach others to do all day long. And it’s powerful. And it works.

AND…

(Truth taking back over the wheel:)

“There’s more work to do.”

We teach what we’ve experienced in our own lives, passing the messages down when a few steps ahead, helping others to rise.

AND, we teach what we need to know at a deeper level. There is no finish line to our learning and expansion. It just shifts into leading us towards mastery.

In fact, that’s how you know you are REALLY on the right track: When you’re teaching what you are called to become masterful in this lifetime — as in, the lessons keep showing up. And, each time you “pass” the test, you’re a little wiser, stronger, and more effective. It comes in many waves in many layers, and over many years. And, just when you think you’ve “won” the game, another test shows up. Another chance to level-up.

So, now, I know. My work to do is to find all the dark corners where I am still hiding — and shine light and love onto them so they may be set free.

And, as I continue to liberate myself in this way, I get to share this liberation with others.

What a gift to now be able to teach from this new place of humbleness and shared humanity. From a place of, “I don’t have all the answers. I’m doing the work WITH you. Also, I’ve already done a lot of the hard stuff so it doesn’t have to be as difficult for you. Let me show you the way…”

Ahh. That feels better now. Like a whole book could flow out of me. 🙂

Energetically, our half-truths will fragment us. We’ll feel blocked all day. Relieving them is bliss.

So, if this is stirring something inside of you, you may sit with asking where you are not being fully truthful with yourself. (And, you already know. We always know!)

Instead of making yourself wrong about it, how about you surrender into it? And, realize it is all PERFECT. Happening FOR you and your ascension. In fact, it couldn’t have been scripted any better. The next step towards mastery. Enjoy the journey. <3

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PS: If this struck you on a soul level & you would like to take the next steps together, there are 2 spots open in next week’s Writing from the Soul workshop. Two days, in a beautiful oceanfront home, divine flow immersion, magical people, maybe you? Contact me for more info… <3 <3

Last weekend, in Ft. Lauderdale, my 5-year-old daughter, Delilah, snapped this picture of me on the beach.

It had been cold, cloudy, and super-windy all weekend — not very nice beach weather at all! So, even though the ocean tempted us from our room-with-a-view, we didn’t get to spend much time with her.

But, on the verrrrry last day, in fact, the last hour — the sun finally came out from behind the clouds. I was determined to feel her warmth on my skin and soak up some delicious energy. We made our way down to the sand & found a spot. I laid there with my eyes closed — breathing it in. That’s when Delilah, little-old-soul that she is, said, “mommy, you look so peaceful. I want to take your picture.” #awww

Afterwards, she asked, “are you going to post it on Facebook?” lol. “Sure,” I said.

But, I didn’t.

Why? Well. For starters, I saw an image of someone that was waaaay to pale. (Hello, crazy cold Florida winter!) The picture, taken by a 5-year old, was imperfectly framed and composed. And, above all, I knew that someone, inevitably, would probably point out the way my rib cage sticks out a bit from this angle and tell me that I need to go “eat a hamburger.” (Haven’t heard that one before. lol. And, as a vegan, it gets a double eyeroll!! 🙄🙄)😝

It took me back 20-some years to a time when I didn’t know how to love myself and my reflection and when I probably actually DID need to eat a (veggie) burger. I was often critiqued for being “too skinny” which didn’t compute because that’s not what I saw in the mirror. Those old wounds, stirred up, were enough to trigger me into not taking action in that moment.

But, today, as I was scrolling through my phone, this photo caught my attention, again, and I saw something different.

I saw a beautiful woman who decided to make this the year that she takes her sovereignty back. 🙌🏼 She loves deeply – herself and others. She makes it her job to let her daughter’s know how loved and beautiful THEY are. And, she does her best to make a positive impact in this crazy world. Most notably & importantly, however, she’s finally realized, she has absolutely NOTHING to prove and NOBODY to impress. (Aaaaaamen!!🙏) This is the most freeing and liberating thing everrrrrr.

In committing to living a life that’s fully self-expressed — being self-censored is simply not an option. How we do one thing, is how we do most things. So, I asked myself, where else and how else am I holding back? And, decided: I’m taking a do-over on this one. So, here it is! Bring on the hamburger comments. 😂 I don’t have to accept them as truth. In fact, I know this body is strong and healthy AF and I happen to love it. A lot. 😍Even with — no — ESPECIALLY with, it’s 41-years on-this-earth, birthing-of-two-children flaws and imperfections.

Is it risky to share truth so vulnerably? To put yourself out there, opening up to criticism? Sure. But, only when your bullshit fears are bigger than your purpose.

The freedom is in the contrast of that. Liberation comes from unapologetic truth-sharing & living a life in purposeful alignment, fully expressed, without concern of the harsh opinions of others (who, usually, haven’t yet done the work & walked the path).

The coolest thing about all this? In unleashing our own sovereignty, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. This is why I share the way I do — for those who need to hear this message. You know who are. 🤗

Consider this “permission” granted to show up fully. You no longer need to play small. That was the old paradigm. It’s time to fully step into your purpose. It’s safe to be seen & heard.

I want you to take on that your voice missing from the conversation is the reason why the world is how it is right now. Because it is. That’s how powerful you are. Your shine, your wisdom, your truth – it’s all needed. Now is the time! (And, don’t worry – it gets easier with practice & over time).

In the meantime, I’ll be holding space for you. How are you? I love to hear from you! Much love! 💕

This shiny soul. 😍

Last week, Calista (age 9) came home from the bus stop, hobbling through the door with one shoe on. I could tell she had been crying.

My mama-bear instinct kicked in, “Oh no. Are you okay?”

She extended out her arm, holding her other shoe in hand, and showed me a fat little caterpillar curled up inside of it.

With a mixture of sadness and hope, she recounted the story of how she noticed the poor little guy on the sidewalk. He was covered in hundred of ants, barely hanging to his life.

As can be the tendency of a tender-soul witnessing any form of suffering (no matter how trivial it may be perceived by some), she told me that she immediately started crying and then went to work to pick him up and begin the tedious process of removing all of the ants from him, one by one.

Her intention of bringing him home was to save him. I knew he wasn’t going to make it, but I helped her make a little home for him so that he could spend his final moments being loved.

She’s always been a sensitive soul.

At times, well-meaning friends and family have observed this tendency and offered their version of: “It’s a tough world. She needs to toughen up or she’ll get eaten up alive out there.” I get their concern. But, the world has enough hardened hearts. What the world needs is more who are willing to keep their hearts open and be love. ❤️

I know that being so open and feeling so deeply can leave us vulnerable, but I always tell her that she is absolutely perfect and whole and complete just the way she is. Her empathy and compassion are a tremendous gift — both to herself and the world.

I would never make her feel any shame or concern around this. It’s my job, instead, to teach her how to shield herself and ground herself while also remaining open to feeling so deeply. And, as I teach her, I learn more about how to do this for myself.

You see, I too am a sensitive soul, but didn’t make this distinguishment until much later in life. I spent my childhood as the quiet “good girl.” Staying in the background was my protection mechanism. I spent most of my 20’s working really hard and partying even harder as a way to distract myself from having to feel so deeply.

However, in my 30’s, I finally came “home” and went on a deep journey of introspection. I traded in the late-night parties for early morning yoga sessions, the vodka for green juice, and the numbing for feeling. Really feeling. And, the growth, expansion and “coming alive” I have experienced in my life has been an incredible journey and nothing short of miraculous. I turned 40 this past January and I know this next decade will bring even more ascension, and I am called to share more of that journey.

In a world that was spoon-fed false beliefs such as “emotions are weakness” “you need to ‘man’ up” “don’t let them see you cry” “calm down” — it’s time to change the narrative. Emotions are strength. Feelings are wisdom. Empathy and emotional intelligence are the new currency.

We need more people to stand proud in their truth. At our core, we are love. When tapped into this divine essence, there is nothing else to feel but love and compassion. Why try to twist perfection?🤷‍♀️

It’s okay to wear you heart on your sleeve. It’s okay to feel. You should never feel the need to hide what you’re truly feeling. ❤️❤️

And, to finish the story, shortly after, we picked up little sister Delilah (age 4) from Montessori school. She was told the story of the caterpillar. When we got home, she wanted to see him, so we went to the box. And … it was dead. She immediately burst into tears – inconsolable for a few minutes.

Another sensitive soul. It looks like I have my hands full. But, they both definitely picked the right mama. We’ve got this girls. We’ve got this. ❤️🙏😊