“If you‘re running a business, it’s going to shift and change. You’re going to shift and change. Let it change, and evolve, and grow with you.” – Sonya Stattmann (16:29-16:48)
Every business evolves over time. But how can entrepreneurs change and pivot their brands in ways that reflect their own personal growth? Business owners often worry that changing their business will compromise their integrity. But if you want to succeed in the long run, you have to give yourself permission to evolve your business in ways that align with who you are at any moment.
This can be especially difficult for lifestyle brands built around a person’s identity or single focus. When these entrepreneurs face the possibility of rebranding, it can feel like an identity crisis. But changing your brand’s message lets you take things in a new direction. We just need to be careful when deciding exactly how we want to show up.
“There are millions of people who don’t know who you are and don’t care what you did a month ago. They only care about how you can help them right now.” – Sonya Stattmann (4:04-4:15)
Aligning Your Business with the Real You
It’s human nature to worry about what others think about us. This is one of the biggest obstacles entrepreneurs face when pivoting their business. But the truth is that no one is going to compare what you’re doing now with what you did a month ago. In fact, the only thing they care about is what you can do to help them right now.
That’s why it’s so important to step into who you really are and let your business reflect that. The more you align your business with your true self, the better your services will be and the better you’ll serve your audience. What matters most is how you treat others and what you can provide them.
When is the Right Time to Pivot the Business?
Entrepreneurs love to explore new things outside of their niche. But the real challenge is deciding whether they should integrate new interests, skills, or hobbies into their business. Many decide to create a business around some personal transformation, but it’s important to be careful. A new interest may not translate into a successful business.
Transformation alone isn’t always the best starting point for a new business. However, this doesn’t mean that who you are shouldn’t be a part of what you’re already doing. A coach or mentor can help you determine when there’s a viable market for your new idea. The first part of this process consists of being true to who you are. The second is making sure you can create a viable business out of it.
“Let your creative energies fly. Isn’t that why you decided to create your own business anyway?” – Laura Shook-Guzman (22:05-22:14)
There are logistics to keep in mind when pivoting a business. Get the coaching you need to transition and move forward without feeling like you’re making a leap without a net. Entrepreneurs often rush through the rebranding process. Let yourself evolve and let things unfold naturally. Otherwise, you run the risk of rebranding only to have to go back and start over again when things still aren’t right.
Anyone who runs a business is going to experience change. Let your business grow and evolve with you. Don’t let the perceptions of others interfere with your own personal development and your choice to integrate who you are into your business. You don’t have to shut everything down and start over just because you’ve evolved.
If you’re not sure how to make your new self a part of your business, step away and work on yourself. Sometimes we fail to stoke the fires of our creativity because we’re too busy working on the business. Take time out away from work. Do something fun and interactive. Let your creative energies fly. After all, that’s why you created your own business in the first place.
Find More Support For Women In Business:
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