Authentic Texture and Flavor

In the battle of the pies, which would win... If you are like most people you have a preference. I sometimes mistake Pumpkin Pie, for Sweet Potato pie if I am just looking at them. I never make that mistake once I taste them. They each have their own distinctive taste and texture. Your business is like that, from afar you may look like another person's business, but there are distinctives to your business that speak to the uniqueness that is you.

We hear so much about imposter syndrome and fearing the competition. What if we invest less in looking and sounding like someone else and more in embracing our differences. What would that look like to you?

How are you different from those in your field that do what you do? At first I think many, myself included, struggled to differentiate what we do from many in the same field. I remember how I felt after I bought my last car. I had thought I was original in the color and with my make and model of car. Then I got on the road and everyone had a red Nissan Sentra. How did I not notice this before purchase. I think the same bias happens when you start a business. You think "I'm unique" then all of a sudden everyone is selling goat milk soap, or hypoallergenic perfumes, or what ever your brilliant idea was.

So how do you show you are different when others all appear to be using the same verbiage, posts and labels you use to promote your products or services? Many times it is in embracing the things that you feel are not "as good as" your competitors in your field that make you stand out.
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I have never been a flashy person. Down to earth more accurately describes me and I confess there were times I thought "Allison, you have got to up your game, be more impressive, no one is going to appreciate your depth of knowledge or wisdom to help them unless you can be a smooth talker, and a perfectly put together person (externally)." But it just wouldn't be genuine for a woman who is plain spoken and has spent most of her life in jeans, running after 4 active sons after working all day to build a business. My style reflects my Christian values and my lifestyle. I found that as I grew my psychotherapy business that those qualities are what attracted many clients to me. They choose me to help them above the more slick and flashy clinicians out there (all equally qualified).

As I am building my coaching practice, I'm once again confronted with the idea, should I look and sound more like the coaches out there. Again, I know intuitively that I can't do it and be authentic and real with clients. I know that like with the choice between pumpkin and sweet potato pie I know what I like and I don't want to be fooled. When I bite into it I want to already know what pie I chose. When my clients interact with me, they have a correct expectation because I have promoted myself in my most authentic form. Those who are attracted by how I present myself are not confused when we work together.
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So today I want to encourage you, be your own unique flavor and texture, because people have preferences and you will be the one someone will prefer. Embrace what makes you different so that your client meets the real you, not the perfectly curated image. Accurate representation is important in keeping trust.
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1 Corinthians 12:4-6 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

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