I tried to fit the mould... then I broke it

In my twenties, I vividly remember the pressure of trying to fit a mould – all in the hopes of impressing those around me. Exchanging my natural penchant for streetwear, sneakers and a ponytail for pearls, coiffed hair, and a briefcase. So not me.

?

I was at the dawn of my career –and believed that presenting a perfectly polished, professional facade was the only pathway to being taken seriously and earning respect as an expert in my field.

This meant dressing in a way that I thought was expected, curtailing my vibrant adventurous personality, and while it was a strategic means to an end (and it did work, because that was the era we were in!)...

...it felt like I had to “put on someone else” to go to work.?A lot of pressure, and not a lot of freedom.

In my thirties, I was too busy to think too much about what image I was presenting, truth be told. By that time I had my own successful marketing agency (I founded my own company in my late 20’s), I also co-founded a tech start-up (which I sold seven years later) and over that decade gave birth to five kids in eight years.

(yes, if you feel tired just reading it, so do I now!)

?

So naturally the majority of my wardrobe was maternity gear -? no pearls anywhere in sight - and the majority of my work was at a desk in my warehouse in an industrial area anyway (which for a while doubled as my marketing agency HQ), oftentimes surrounded by nappies and bouncers and emergency food for when I had to take a kid with me.

Oh, and did I mention I was?an ordained minister and pastor of a church? Yup, that too. So Sundays I?stepped into my role as?speaker, musician and encourager.

All well-intentioned, and I put everything I had into all of them, but I was so extremely outward-focused, to the point that?my?identity was morphed into all these roles I held.

Looking back I was so bent on being an over-achiever I forgot who I was.

Or to be more precise, didn’t have the time to truly think about it.

When I turned 40, the life that I knew?fell apart,? and the next few years were spent getting myself back on my feet again, and taking care of my family.

But through the chaos, and the progress, the big question I had no answer for was “who am I? What’s my true identity?”

Not the one I’d "put on", or the one that had been "put on me".

Slowly, I began to let my guard down and through a process of self-exploration and building my confidence, slowly and gently allowed the world to see the real me – much of which I'd quashed so deeply within,?afraid to let people see in any business context.

The passionate, sometimes quirky, often-silly, handstand-loving marketer and outdoorsy mum –who walks to the beat of her own drum - increasing in confidence enough to relinquish societal, family or professional expectations to “be this” or “be that”.

?

It took a several years, but this transition to authenticity was transformative.

Instead of merely fitting in, I discovered that people were drawn to my genuine nature. It created way deeper, more meaningful and fulfilling connections.

Embracing my true self didn't just boost my personal confidence; it created a ripple effect that significantly enriched both my professional and personal life.

And the catalyst for this was realising I needed to build my personal brand several years ago - and the process I went through to feel like I could do it in an authentic, easeful way.

Building my confidence wasn't the intention for exploring my personal brand - but it sure was the major side benefit (or I would say these days, main benefit!)

?

Authenticity, I learned, is not just a choice but a powerful way to lead a life of integrity and impact.

It’s why I’m focusing on Authenticity in the first workshop of my Marketing Me Event Series.

It’s not a “talking at you” workshop.

It’s going to be a “doing” time together - helping you to recognise parts of yourself that you most strongly identify with, and how to infuse them into your personal brand, or business persona.

There’s a lot of buzz around AI right now. People are using it to write content, automate tasks, and save time. But as incredible as technology is, there’s one thing it can never replace: your authenticity.

But while AI can enhance efficiency, it can’t replicate you.

But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it – because it can make a HUGE difference to your quality of life. (it definitely has to mine, and I’m going to show you how next Wednesday)

In my upcoming workshop Authenticity in the Age of AI: Marketing with Heart and Technology, I’ll be sharing the tools and strategies I use to seamlessly integrate AI while keeping the heart of my brand intact.

You’ll see how you can leverage technology while still making sure your voice shines through.

If you’ve been wondering how to use AI effectively without losing what makes your brand human and authentic, this workshop will give you the answers.

Sign up now for the live demo and "doing" workshop!

Excited to share this with you!

??

Nina

P.S. Want to?see all of the workshops that are part of my 2025 Personal Branding Toolkit?

I'm doing these for my Marketing Me Clients? but you're welcome to join our party, and ask any questions relating to YOUR brand as I walk you through this! You can browse the full?line up here and see if you want to join me for one or all of them!

?

?

A bit about me.....

For over 25 years, I've been passionate about helping business leaders and brands build their audience and establish genuine connections with prospects and customers.

I spent two decades leading a marketing agency called Braveda, which was recognised as 'Best Marketing Agency' at the Australian Marketing Excellence Awards in 2018 and six years as State Chair of the Australian Marketing Institute (Vic).

Observing shifts in marketing and customer relationships, I developed 'Marketing Me?,' a praxis that combines brand building, personal positioning, and customer attraction. This method is not just a business tool; it's a means of connecting people with their values and true identity.

In addition to my marketing pursuits, I've recently authored my first book, 'Marketing Me.' Writing this book was a labour of love, reflecting my deep-seated belief that at the heart of meaningful marketing is authentic self-discovery.

Through my book, I aim to connect with readers by encouraging them to embrace their true identity and utilise it to create a personal brand that resonates deeply.

My hope is that 'Marketing Me' will serve as a guide not only in the realm of business but also in personal growth, helping others shine their light and inspire those around them.

As a mother of five, my systems and processes are designed to be practical and accessible. I’m committed to supporting leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs globally to discover and express their unique traits. I'm excited to collaborate with you and your team and help you make deeper connections within the business landscape.

I'd love to hear from you if you'd like to learn more.

?? Send me a DM

?? Reach out to me here via my website: www.ninachristian.com