Creating *my* brand
Sophia Amoruso
Investing in winners at Trust Fund, NYT Bestselling Author, Serial Founder, Keynote Speaker. Returned the dress I wore on the cover of Forbes. ?? Pitch us at trustfund.vc ??
So I’ve built a few brands. But they weren’t my brand.
Here I am, 14 years after founding my first business, building my “personal brand” for the first time––embarrassing as that sounds.
It kind of already existed, but I never tried to build it. And I certainly didn’t nurture it. My business’ brand was my priority and I just used my platform to amplify it. What I’ve done has always been a marriage between my preferences and the preferences of my customers.
Which means I made a lot of compromises.
I made compromises because there were a cacophony of voices weighing in.
I made compromises because, as a good leader, I wanted to let my people run.
I made compromises because it was required that I delegate or else I’d fail to focus on my other, more important responsibilities.
So now I’m doing things exactly how I’d like them. I’d like to think I’ve earned it. What I’m up to now, believe it or not, is the most “me” thing I’ve ever done.
It’s a deep dive into the recesses of my mind–everything I’ve learned throughout the years, often the hard way, packed up in the most gorgeous, delightful way. What I’ve done is all I have to give, and giving is my top priority these days. I can’t wait to share it with you.
This is a time that a lot of us are making compromises, but many of us are also putting a stake in the ground to say “You know what? I’mma do it my way.”
Which is difficult. So here’s a note to let you know that I see you, and I know it’s scary. But if you’re not scared sometimes, you’re not fully living life. And I’m right there with you.
So now I pass it onto you: What are you going to start doing YOUR way instead of someone else's? Head over to my latest Instagram post and leave a comment to let me know.
PS: if you haven’t checked out the Side Hustle Bible that I dropped last month...well, you probably should! It’s a 37 page guide to help you get your side hustle off the ground.
Wheels up,
Sophia
Mentor With A Servants Heart at Mentoring For Free
4 年Hi Sophia,
Creative Director at trousseau by paper dolls
4 年Reading your diary Sophia feels as though we have a travel buddy on this journey of reinventing ourselves. I feel like I’ve been given an opportunity to finally do what my passion is leading me to. I am doing it my way; which means stepping out of the safety zone of waiting for my pre-Covid filled work schedule to return and into the crazy traffic of taking control of my own career??♀?????My passion for what I want to be doing comes first; anything else is supplemental to achieving my goals?????Thank you for sharing your lane.
Creator of My Media Style.io Personal Branding at My Media Style.io
4 年Thank you Sophia for keeping it all real with us; for anchoring into more of who you are and for seeing us in all of our fears. I needed to hear that today as I am in the process of choosing to leave my blood family and move across the country to be with my chosen family and start my life over with 2 suitcases of everything that I now own. I’ve also been creating my legacy project around giving womxn a medium for their identity & voices to be seen in the world through experiential learning processes virtually. Thanks for giving and giving and giving to the world.
Digital Marketing Manager
4 年Well done! This quote really resonated with me, "This is a time that a lot of us are making compromises, but many of us are also putting a stake in the ground to say 'You know what? I’mma do it my way'." I'm happy to finally be at a point in my life and career where my values are clearly defined and compromising them is not an option. Scary? Yes. But it feels sooo good! I've been a fan since #Girlboss and excited to this new venture!