I was driving to daycare the other day and got in a heated tangent (with myself) about how to show up in your business, values and the importance of showing your personality.
My hot take?
If you’re a decent human being, it’s very hard to actually get your business “cancelled”.
There’s a difference in being offensive and having a backbone. And if you’re hesitant to show up at all, fearing you’ll cross a line, trust me—you’re likely far from it.
“I don’t want to annoy people”
Let me guess, you’re stressed to:
- send emails to subscribers
- appearing on your social media stories
- tell people about your business/offerings
Here’s the thing: People want to support you.
Whether it’s sending emails to a list that literally opted into hearing from you; showing up on stories; talking about literally anything related to their business ever…
Can we take a moment to consider the vastness of the Internet… no one is paying as much attention to you as you are.
This my giving you permission to take up space.
Consumers Crave Connection
And the thing about businesses these days, especially in trying economic times, is that people want to support the person behind the business. Spending hasn’t stopped; it’s become more intentional. Consumers are aligning their purchases with their values. Sometimes sure, we’re purchasing out of necessity, but a lot of things in life we’re choosing to spend our dollars a specifically.
For instance:
- Ethical Choices: Opting for free-range, happy chicken eggs over regular ones
- Quality Preferences: Choosing real butter instead of margarine
- Sustainability: Selecting natural fibers over polyester
- Convenience: Valuing done-for-you services over endless trial and error
- Community Support: Investing in family-owned businesses rather than large corporations
And this is where building your brand, not just your visual identity, comes into play. It’s about educating your audience and conveying more than just “we sell this; you should buy it.”
People Seek More Than Just Products
Purchases aren’t solely about the tangible item anymore. Consumers yearn to feel part of something bigger—a valued member of a community. They want their spending to have a broader impact, go further, do better, etc.
And yes, it’s scary if you haven’t put yourself out there before. Showing your face on your IG stories, actually taking a stand on a topic can be daunting, because you’re worried there’s a chance someone will disagree or be put off…
But your business isn’t for everyone, and the sooner you can come to terms with that the sooner you can dive into who your business IS for and start focusing in on them so they can rally behind you.
Want to See This in Action?
If you’re wondering what showing up with values and authenticity actually looks like in branding—not just in theory—take a look at the Holm Collective case study. Their brand wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about bringing their values to the forefront in everything from tone of voice to visual identity. That’s where real connection happens.
It’s easy to assume branding is just a logo, but when done right, it becomes the confidence-building foundation that helps you speak up, stand out, and show up consistently. That’s the kind of branding I do—whether you’re a few years into business or just starting to feel like you’ve outgrown what you DIY’d back when you were just getting scrappy.
And About Those Emails You’re Scared to Send…
You’re not alone if you feel weird about emailing your list—even though they literally opted in. If that fear resonates, I wrote about it here, especially how relying solely on social media can actually hold your business back. TL;DR: You’re allowed to take up space in people’s inboxes, too.
Here’s the Thing About Confidence
A lot of this fear—of showing up, of sending emails, of being seen—is really about confidence. And confidence is a whole lot easier to access when you have a brand you trust to do the heavy lifting for you. When your visuals, voice, and messaging are clear and aligned, it gives you the tools to speak up without second guessing yourself.
tldr:
- it’s okay for you to take up space
- no one is paying as much attention to you as you are
- people are still spending money; they’re just doing so more consciously
Ready to Feel Clear (and Confident) in Your Brand?
Let’s talk. Book a free 15-minute discovery call and let’s chat about where you’re at, where you want to be, and how we can build a brand that helps you get there—with confidence, clarity, and ease.
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