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Reader, it's easy to feel alone in the online space.

It's easy to feel like you're not cut out for the entrepreneur life.

It's easy to second-guess every single thing you do to build your business.

I know because I've been there too.

Welcome to the Branding Unmasked series where I'm sharing what's happening behind the brands and how the industry is changing. You've got four emails coming your way this week on some of the most important topics I'm currently obsessed with.

I was inspired to write this series as a way to...

1. Make you feel more human. It's easy to think you're not good enough or doing it right because of the perceived lies in the online space.

2. Share with you what's working instead and how you, a Brandmerry community member, can be ahead of the curve in terms of the new age of branding and content marketing.
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So if you're ready to jump on board, let's talk about freedom and success.

The definition of entrepreneur success has been completely one-sided for years.

And, like you, it's caused me to wonder if I was desiring or craving the wrong things.

But, after seven almost eight years as an entrepreneur and business owner, I know that if you are not in alignment with yourself, your definition of freedom, and your core values - you have not succeeded.

When we start to live a life defined by someone else’s values and expectations we lose sight of our freedom.

And nothing is more evident in the online space today.

The idea that you have to DO MORE to be successful.

The idea that you NEED MORE to be successful.

The idea that you should WANT MORE to be successful.

The idea that if you don’t look, act, or value specific things you will NOT be successful.

Well, I call BULL-FREAKING-SH*T!

As the marketing world expands and more and more women are thankfully climbing to the top of the influencer and branding ladder, something is becoming relevant.

The idea of MORE stuff, BETTER stuff, DESIGNER stuff is defining our success.

But, what if it doesn’t for you?

Does that make you less successful?

Does the fact that your desire for a successful business isn’t centered around a new G-wagon?

What if you’d rather sleep in a treehouse than a 5-star hotel?

Does that make you any less deserving of being here, of sharing your gifts with the world?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

But the reality is by polarizing women with the idea of aspirational branding being tied to things and not something deeper we’re single-handedly telling women they are not enough.

Tell me did you feel inadequate as you scrolled social media today?

As I grew my business in 2019 past the $100k mark few people were doing it while living full-time in a trailer.

As a home-school momma, I'm not seeing women talk about the balance between being a teacher and running a 6-figure a year business, something I'm currently experiencing.

Sometimes it can be hard to see a representation of your values and goals online.

And that’s ok!

We have an opportunity right in front of us to do something different.

When I started my business 8 years ago every woman in my industry that I looked up to talked about pink stilettos, pics in front of the Eiffel Tower, and getting regular blowouts.

And in my opinion, it’s only gotten worse.

Influencers and entrepreneurs are only talking about buying their dream cars, botox, flying first class, and designer handbags as a measure of success.

This results in entrepreneurs striving for things that don't align with their values or deeper desires, because they wonder if the things they want qualify them as successful or running with the bigger leaders in their industry.

I'm slowly raising my hand because I've been there too!

What would happen in the world if we as brands, as the influencers permitted others to define their level of freedom and success by living ours?

What if success was measured in the time available to us rather than the size of your shopping cart?

What if we could have all of those things we desire (no shame in having nice things or new things) but they didn’t DEFINE US?

What if?

So I ask you, if you weren’t influenced by what others define as success in entrepreneurship what would measure it for you?

That is enough!

MOVING FORWARD - So what do we do?
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So what does this mean for branding in 2024? So much!

It’s a call to action for all of us, the brands and influencers of the future to fully step into our story.

To own the things that make us unique, even if they aren’t regularly seen online.

To step outside of the box and share what’s real, what’s true, and what’s authentic.

Because women need us to do it!

Men need us to do it!

Children, and especially teenagers, need us to do this!

To own the things that light us the F up!

Moving forward how can you share your true definition of freedom?

How can your desire for success be more than enough?

Because, as authentic brand builders, we get to decide what defines us...

What defines success…

What defines freedom…

The life you're creating doesn't have to look like hers.

Success is not one size fits all...I mean how boring.

And what lights her up isn't going to do the same for you.

It's ok to create a life that doesn't look like everyone else's.

It's ok to have less and it's ok to WANT less.

When you create a simple life that feels authentic to you, everything will benefit because YOU are in alignment with your true desires.

Trying to "level up" with new stuff doesn't equal success 💥

Creating a simple life isn't about being Instagram trendy.

It's about less distractions.

It's about more connection.

It's about more purpose.

It’s about making an impact.

It's about more time to spend on the things you truly love and value.

Filling YOUR space (i.e. your head, heart, soul, and home) with someone's definition of success is just going to push you further from yours.

Listen to what you truly want and don't be afraid to write your own definition of freedom.

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SIDE NOTE: Those things I was sharing years ago when I felt like an outsider for craving a successful business and traveling in an RV with my family have now become mainstream. Isn't it funny that the things we once felt odd for wanting are now desired by many?

I've had many of my clients move into RVs, or embrace the van life, and downsize because they saw me do it. That's some incredible impact that might not have happened had I fallen victim to what others were desiring and not listened to my instincts.

You're more of an influencer than you think - let's be the authentic kind!

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