Embrace Your Weird: How Being Yourself in Business Wins Clients
Lessons from Fellow Female Entrepreneurs
I sat down with two of my favorite creative business owners, Annie P Ruggles and Deanna Seymour to see what they had to say about aligning their brand with their quirky, original selves.
I'm always on the lookout for other entrepreneurs and personal brands that stand out in a crowded market. These connections usually result in insightful discussions that not only inspire but also provide practical advice those of us who are still finding our own unique path. I sat down with two of my favorite creative business owners, Annie P Ruggles and Deanna Seymour to see what they had to say about aligning their brand with their quirky, original selves.
What really resonated with me in our discussion was the idea that authenticity attracts the right audience. As Deanna eloquently put it, embracing your uniqueness, no matter how unconventional, can draw in the people who will most appreciate and support your venture. This is a reassuring reminder for me, and I believe for many of you as well, particularly when the fear of not fitting a certain mold can be paralyzing.
Deanna shared her own branding journey, which started with inspiration from the least expected source – a bathing suit at Target! Finding her brand's colors in such a spontaneous way and sticking with them for years underscored a significant point: creativity can spark from anywhere, and embracing what you love can lead to a distinctive and memorable brand.
However, our conversation didn't just stop at branding. Annie Ruggles discussed the challenges of diversifying her services within her brand, Her original brand “The Non- Sleazy Sales Academy,”, which initially focused solely on sales. She shared her story of expanding to “Quirkworks Consulting” to encompass her broad range of services but still maintaining her unique voice was particularly enlightening. It's a typical scenario many of us face: How do we grow without losing the essence of what made our business successful in the first place?
Both Annie and Deanna’s insights into the need for self-awareness when seeking feedback were another highlight. Annie’s point on being specific in asking for feedback to avoid irrelevant advice was a takeaway I appreciated. It reminded me to be intentional and strategic in whose opinions I seek, reinforcing the notion that not all feedback is beneficial, and sometimes, it can deter us from our core objectives.
As female entrepreneurs, we often face societal conditioning that nudges us towards seeking permission or following predefined paths. This conversation was a powerful reminder of the freedom and success that await on the other side of authenticity and risk-taking. I’m inspired to redefine my business practices to reflect more of my personal values and quirks, trusting that this will not only set me apart but also attract the right clients and opportunities.
Being an entrepreneur is no easy feat, and doing so in a way that fully represents who we are is even more challenging. But the rewards are well worth it. It’s about more than just making a living; it’s about making a life and a legacy that resonates with the truest version of ourselves.
I'd love to hear how you all integrate your unique selves into your businesses. Have you faced challenges in maintaining your authenticity? What strategies have you found beneficial in attracting your ideal audience?
Let's continue to support and inspire each other as we navigate this exciting path of entrepreneurship. Remember, in a world where you can be anything, the best thing to be is yourself – especially when it comes to business.
Feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram @coachdiannwingert or send me an email at diann@diannwingertcoaching.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you'd like to hear the full episode on The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, you can do that here.
