Business Owners, Don't Be Afraid to be You.

Business is personal. You buy from people, not faceless corporations.

I went to a Las Vegas trade show in the middle of summer in a full suit to hide my tattoos.

I finally woke up one morning and thought, "you know what? F*ck off."

If you're going to judge me for way I look:

- You don't need to work with me,?

- You don't need to work for me.

- I don't want you as a client.

If what I look like is what you're concerned about, I don't need you.

Back when I was a 19-year-old CEO with more tattoos than years of experience, the business world couldn't take me seriously.?

But here's the kicker: I refused to let my appearance define me or serve as an excuse for failure.

Being a CEO with tattoos, a penchant for colorful language, and a knack for the job had no correlation. It didn't make me unprofessional, rude, or untrustworthy.?

So, the next time you're judged by your appearance at work, remember this: appearances can be deceiving.

And to the stuffy old CEOs out there – maybe you're just a tad jealous that your employees look great while achieving great things for your business.??

If I had tried to conform to the corporate mold, I'd have faded into obscurity. My uniqueness set me apart. To get ahead, you have to be unapologetically you.?

So go ahead. Wear that bright pink pantsuit. Get that tattoo sleeve. And remember, if someone judges you solely on your looks, they're not worth your time.

The beauty of being your unapologetic self is that you attract the right people and repel the rest.?

In business, everything is personal, right down to who you are as a person. Don't ever try to change who you are.?

"But I'm not confident enough to address a room full of people!"?

"I'm too introverted to network!"?

"I'm not good with numbers to present them to an investor!"?

No problem – hire people who excel where you don't.

Introverted CEOs are successful.?

Dyslexic CEOs are successful.?

We all have our weaknesses, and that's where hiring comes in.?

I've always hired with one criterion in mind: hire people who are smarter than me. If I'm the smartest person in the room, I need to get the hell out of that room.?

It doesn't matter your personal traits; what matters is that you challenge yourself continually. Work to your strengths, and hire to shore up your weaknesses.

Get personal to get ahead.

Knowing who you are as a person is essential in business because, at the end of the day, you're doing business with people, not faceless corporations. That's why you have to get personal to get ahead.?

And it all begins with looking within.

Would you do business with someone like you? It's a question worth asking. Being a successful leader means being the kind of person others want to work with, trust, and respect.?

So, embrace your quirks, your style, your uniqueness, and leverage them to build genuine connections in the business world.

In the world of business, everything is personal.?

Your success hinges on your ability to be authentically you and to surround yourself with the right people. Don't let appearances or personal insecurities hold you back. Embrace your uniqueness, work to your strengths, and hire to fill your gaps.

Remember, CEOs, founders, and business leaders – it's okay to take things personally in business because, in the end, it's personal matters that truly drive us.?

So, go out there, be yourself, and watch your business thrive as you forge genuine connections that last a lifetime.

Keep rocking those pink pantsuits and inked sleeves, and let's make business personal again.

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If you enjoyed this newsletter, my Linkedin is a good look into what goes on in my brain:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/shannonscottceo/recent-activity/all/

And if you’re interested in reaching out for mentorship, advice, or you’re a young, scrappy entrepreneur who’s ready to disrupt an industry, visit my website:

https://everythingispersonal.co/

Dad joke of the month:

Why don’t oysters donate to charity? Because they’re shellfish.

Thank you, thank you, I’m here all week.