Apples and oranges

There was a time in my life that I would live off of brown rice. I would add a little olive oil and soy sauce, and it was a perfectly acceptable meal––and most importantly affordable.?

Hey! I need to get some brownie points (even though brownies were not on the menu for me) for not falling into the cliche of having ramen noodles.?

My taste buds were still intact and I was still able to taste the difference––my brown rice bowl was no sushi, not even close to a poké bowl. But it was what I could afford, and I made the most out of it.?

When I was able to afford it, I didn't do it. I made sure to secure things that would last longer, like an apartment or furniture. Do you get the picture??

So, I was broke again after paying for the bare necessities. There was still no sushi for me.

At that time of my life, I wasn’t even aware if I liked sushi, all I knew was that I couldn't afford it. But, now I was finally ready to try it! Like many things in life, sushi would need a trial and error process, no matter how confident I was, assuming I’d like it.?

Similarly, apples are not oranges just as brown rice is not sushi (which I learned after actually trying it!). And, your neighbor’s business strategy isn’t yours.

This is a story that I hear all the time––everyone trying to be someone else,? relying on someone else’s success––essentially comparing apples to oranges and brown rice to sushi.

Where is the creativity and personality––let alone authenticity? We’ve been so quick to leave it all behind like they aren’t important to take into account when marketing any brand.

So, who are you? What are your values? What's your story?

Make a strategy to fit your personality, not your neighbor’s, not your cousin’s or your sibling’s best friend. Be brave, dare to be unique, stand out from the crowd?simply by being yourself.

See ya, Lara

P.S. For those of you who are wondering, I’ve had plenty of sushi since then ;)