Suz Chadwick [00:00:00]:
Welcome to the Brand Builders Lab Podcast. I'm your host, Sue Chadwick, certified business and mindset coach, author, and speaker. Each week, we'll be talking about simple but powerful business and mindset strategies that will help you build a lean, clean, and profitable business so you can learn to get out of your own way and pay yourself more. Forget average. It's time to level up. Good morning, my beauties. How are you? We are talking all about bringing your full self into your business. We're talking all about being more confident being you, being in your own skin, being in your own personality, Like showing up fully as yourself, that is the thing that could be missing right now when it comes to you attracting your dream clients.

Suz Chadwick [00:00:49]:
The clients that you really want, what is the 1 ingredient that you need to be adding? So much more. And it's your spice. It's all about your spiciness. I had a conversation with a couple of clients in one of my group programs the other day, and we were talking about The things that you're holding back, the things that you're not showing, the things that are uniquely you, that Your clients actually really love, yeah, that your clients want more of. How can you start to lean so much more into All of the things that make you uniquely you that would actually help you stand out massively in the market right now. I think the thing that I hear A lot from clients or from just people in my community is that the market's so busy, the market's so noisy, all the rest of it. And I'm like, yeah. But you know something? You don't have to compete against other people if you're completely different to them.

Suz Chadwick [00:01:53]:
If you're the same as the people around you, then it can be hard to compete because you just look like them, you sound like them. There's nothing uniquely different, but that's a choice. Yeah. Because if you were to take a look at What makes you uniquely you? Then you're not competing with anybody because nobody is obviously gonna be like you as well. So what I really wanna encourage you today this is almost gonna be like a little workshop. Yeah? What I wanna encourage you today to start to look at is what are the things that make you uniquely you? And I think sometimes we just don't spend the time to sit down and say, What is it that my clients are saying to me that they love about my me, what I do, what I deliver, all the rest of it? And then how do I go massive with that? How do I go even bigger with that? So that that not only becomes a huge differentiator, But it also means that I'm then attracting more of the clients who love that particular thing that I do or who I am, and also how do I and make it a signature part of my brand. Yeah. So, you know, I talk about brand jacking.

Suz Chadwick [00:03:07]:
If you don't know what That is basically, it's where somebody will see something that has nothing to do with your business, but because you talk about it all time they think of you. So for me, in the past, it's been things like Gorman, bright colorful clothing. The New York Jets, I think of Gary Vee. Yet or wine, I think of Gary v. And so I just want you to think about, and you can drop it in the comments here as well, is when somebody sees something thing that is not specific to your business, but they think of you, what is that thing? Yeah? So there you've got a couple of different elements. Number 1 is that if you're wanting to really stand out, there are a few different categories that you can stand out And you can work on each of these within your business and your brand. The first one could be language. So there might be particular things that you Say, it could be particular language that you say.

Suz Chadwick [00:04:03]:
We know that Brene Brown talks about being brave and vulnerable. We know Elizabeth Gilbert talks about big magic and creativity. We know that Simon Sinek talks about start with your why, those sorts of things. So if you can think about what is your signature, we're gonna talk about, like, signature elements to your brand today. And so What is the language signature element to your brand? If you have a product or a service based business, is there something that you speak about In a particular way, is there something that you say? And this could be if you're a service based business and you're a coach or you're a consultant, then your Signature, what when it comes to language, could be your method. Yeah. It could be your method. It could be, language that you create based on what it is that You talk about so that when people think about that particular phrase, they think about that method.

Suz Chadwick [00:04:58]:
It's something that you become known So the first thing around building a really bold brand is I want you to think about the language that you use. And how can you get creative with it? How can you think about, you know, how could I be different in this area? How could I stand out? What Could I use that I already talk about that I could make my signature language that people know? Yeah. So that that becomes what I'm known for. The next part of having more of a signature standout Brand that is uniquely you is the first one's language. The second one is look and feel. And so This is where you could be using brand jacking. Like, what is it that you wanna become known for and associated with that you could start to Make as part of your brand that you could be talking about on a regular basis, that you could either put visually into your brand, Or you could just say these are the things that you love about it. So for me, one of the things that I have talked about for a long time That is just personal to me, a light tea martinis.

Suz Chadwick [00:06:07]:
I do love a good light tea martini. I've tried many all over the world. And so I get people in my community who actually send photos of themselves having a light tea martinis saying, this made me think of you. Now that's got nothing to do with business. It's got nothing to do with branding, but it's got something to do with me. And so really thinking about, do you have a signature thing that you really love to talk about that then becomes an association with you. So really think about how you can start to do that. The third thing is really about how you show up and connect.

Suz Chadwick [00:06:43]:
So if you're somebody who's like, I wanna stand out. I wanna connect. I wanna attract more people into my business, then the question is, How are you showing up? And I know that can feel like a really general thing, but I was speaking to a client yesterday about this. And I just sort of said to her, You know, think about different ways that you can create content that is bingeable for your audience, where they wanna come back and find out more from you. So thinking about whether you can create a series, I know that's something that's working really well right now. So you could do, like, a 20 part series on how to, I don't know, decorate a cake or how to write great copy or how to have a message that stands out or How to, you know, have a website that converts. Like, whatever it is that you do, think about how am I creating Content that connects with my audience, that becomes bingeable for them, where they come back to me again and again. And it's because the way that I talk about it, the things that I share are uniquely me, or The kind of series that I'm creating is a bit different to what other people are doing as well.

Suz Chadwick [00:07:56]:
So I think this is where we've kinda gotta get a bit creative, and we've gotta just think about What are my clients really aligning and loving, and how can I do more of that? You know, I've already shared on the Brand Builders Lab Podcast that In, you know, the last month or so, I had a lot of new clients coming to me who were just binging the podcast. And so If you can create a space where people can really get to know you on a deeper level, like, if you wanna have a brand that stands out, You've gotta think about where am I creating assets where people are getting to know me on a deeper level. They're getting to know my personality, not just like the content that I share, the things that I say, but they're getting to know me a bit. And so really thinking about what that ecosystem looks like For you at the moment, I think is a really good use of time as well. So the question is, have you sat down and said, This is where people are gonna find me. This is where I'm gonna start to connect on a deeper level. This is where I share more of my, Maybe personal life or the things that I wanna share. You don't always have to share your personal life.

Suz Chadwick [00:09:04]:
But in my stories on Instagram, that's It's where you kind of see what I'm doing in the evening, or sometimes I put, you know, me and my kids, or I talk about the fact that school went back. And And so it's actually getting to know me, the person behind the business. So that's something that I am really conscious of is that That's where I connect with my community in a real way. The podcast, they get great content, but they also get my vibe. It's a place where people can binge me. They can really get to know me. Places like TikTok, LinkedIn, in Instagram reels are where new people are finding me. And so just think about how have you really started to craft and work out What that strategy looks like for you, that where people are finding you, how you're connecting with them on a regular basis, How you're letting them get to know you on a personal level as well.

Suz Chadwick [00:09:58]:
And thinking about what else you wanna share and how else you can really Think about, who am I? And I know that might sound like a really profound question, but I think that a lot of times, We just don't show our full selves. And like I said, this isn't about showing all of your life, But it is about saying, who am I, and am I honestly, like, sharing The things that I think are gonna connect with my audience. I started doing a type of podcast on the podcast, which is the fail files. And the reason that I do the fail files is because I like to share with my clients things that have not worked for me that now, like, I kinda have learned from and that they can learn from as well. And so are you sharing the journey with Your audience. It's one of the things I say to a lot of my clients is start letting your audience know what's coming. Like, if you're starting to Shift your business. If you're wanting to do more things, if you're wanting to, you know, work with different types of clients or you're about To create a different offering, take people on the that journey with you because you will be surprised how many people are just there because they really wanna support you.

Suz Chadwick [00:11:22]:
Yes. They wanna buy from you, but they also wanna support you. And so people can't come on the journey with us If we don't allow them to, if we don't let them know, hey, guys. Like, it I thank you so much for all your support. I love that you're here. I just wanna let you know I'm really excited. These are some things that are coming up this year. I've been sharing that this is my year of yes, And I've had so many messages from people saying, oh my gosh.

Suz Chadwick [00:11:47]:
Yes, Suss. I'm ready for something like that too, where I wanna say yes to me more. Like, where I want to, you know, feel, like, better about the things that I'm doing or feel like I'm really investing in myself. And the other thing that I share on a personal level as well is that, you know, I have had many coaches. I've had business coaches. I've had health coaches. I've got a psychologist that I go and see because I love that I can just talk to somebody who's independent, who's, like, not part of my family, not in my business, but Somebody who I can just talk to about the things that I feel and think and get support with that. And I think that when we share, Like those elements of ourselves, it allows other people to realize that, you know, it's okay to be like, to share that or be part of that conversation.

Suz Chadwick [00:12:40]:
And we don't have to always show up as perfect. Like, it's fine to show up and just Be yourself because I think that's where real connection comes from. So really ask yourself, am I sharing the journey with my audience? Am I really thinking about how I'm creating a brand that is uniquely me, that I don't need to compete with anybody else because Because what I share is different because it's me. Yeah? So really think about how you're crafting your brand, how you're Fully showing up as yourself, how you are creating the kind of community and conversation that you wanna be having. Like, if you think that mental health is a really important thing, then how are you talking about that in your business. If you think that creativity is a really important thing, how are you sharing more about that in your business? If you think that fashion is something that you really love, how are you Creating more of that in your business. Like, you get to pick. That's the whole joy of having your own business is you get to choose How you wanna build a community and how you wanna show up and what you want your brand to be about.

Suz Chadwick [00:13:52]:
And remember, your brand is the emotional connection That you build with your audience. It is what draws people in on an emotional level. A lot of times, people would just be like, I don't know what it is about her or them or that business, but I just love them. I come back again and again. I wanna binge their content. What they talk about is so what I wanna hear, and it doesn't sound like everybody else. It's different to what other people are sharing. And so that's where you've also gotta kind of be aware of what is happening in the market, what are people talking about.

Suz Chadwick [00:14:26]:
If you wanna talk about the same things, that's fine. But is there a different angle? Is there a unique perspective? Is there the stories that you can be sharing. And yesterday on my Instagram, I shared a carousel that was about the 4 different types of brand stories that you can be telling. And so I feel like that goes really well in with what we're talking about today, and those brand stories are around your origin story. It's Around the story of, like, how you began and where you are now. It's around the stories of what's happening and the journey that you're on now, you know, after starting your business or after doing whatever it is that you're doing, the stories of the lessons that you've learned, Yeah? And then the story's selling as well around how you can share great stories that position you as the go to person in your industry so that people are like, you're the person I wanna work with because that's such an interesting story. And once again, I wanna come back because the way in which you communicate is different to other people. So I think that if you feel a bit Stuck in how do I stand out? How do I build a bold brand? How do I really inject me into what I'm doing? Then asking some of those questions, I think, can really help you.

Suz Chadwick [00:15:48]:
And so thinking about what is the language, what is the unique take that I share the things that I share. What is the look and feel, brand jacking, things like that? What is the personal elements where I'm sharing behind the scenes? How am I sharing my journey right now so that people can come along on it? How am I being really honest about the Things that matter to me, because remember, shared values is what builds great brand connection. How am I Sharing those. Like, what are your values, and are you sharing those in different ways with your audience? Because that those are the things that they really wanna connect with. I've been talking a lot more about how, You know, I wanna work with clients around building more confidence and for them to be more courageous, because I actually think that that is The the biggest one of the biggest issues that a lot of women have when they are building their business is being brave enough to show up in a way that is uniquely or is authentically them. Yeah. And we do have to be brave sometimes because When we decide to show up fully as ourselves and say, this is what I believe. This is what I don't believe.

Suz Chadwick [00:17:02]:
This is the hill I'm willing to die on. These are the things that matter. These are the things that I want to be known for. It's a very personal thing because if somebody's like, well, I don't believe that. Sometimes if you're not, like, you know, strong in what you're standing in, it can feel like you're being attacked. And you've kinda gotta become aware that there are gonna be lots of people that disagree with you. There are gonna be lots of people who's who are not values aligned, and that's It's totally fine. They're just not your people.

Suz Chadwick [00:17:34]:
And I think that the sooner we can just be like, you can have your opinion. You can disagree. You can have, you know, your own way of talking about things, and and I support you in that. Go forth and do that. I'm different, and this is where I'm gonna kind of plant my flag. And the people who want to follow, I just had that vision of, you know, when somebody's on, like, a city tour and there's somebody that's holding an umbrella or a flag up in the air. I'm like, that's you. You are you are in the world holding your flag up, Saying, this is who I am.

Suz Chadwick [00:18:12]:
This is what I stand for. This is what I'm all about. These are my values, and this is what I believe. And if you wanna Follow my flag. If you wanna come with me on this journey, then welcome. You know? Come with me. And so I think that us getting to a point where let when we're where we are like, I'm okay with losing people or having people who don't agree with me, who just are not my flag people. They're just not the people who wanna to come on this movement with me.

Suz Chadwick [00:18:47]:
And I think that's such a great way of thinking about your brand is what is the movement that you're here to create? For me, I will say it. I've said it for 10 years, guys. 10 years that I've been saying this. Helping you build a bold and courageous brand so that you can become a bold voice in your industry and claim your space with confidence. And I think that If you can get really clear on what the movement is, what is the the big message, the neon sign that you wanna put out into the world, and then share you who you are, what you're about, and your journey with people, then the right people will find you. And as I've said before, if you do not feel like a broken record in your business, you're doing it wrong. And I know that this is a big problem that a lot of people have. It's Like, I've said it before.

Suz Chadwick [00:19:39]:
I've said it before. People who have followed me for a long time have heard it before. And it's like, yes. But we need need to hear things 10 times before we take action on them. We need to hear them 10 times before they really sink in. The world is noisy, and so you thinking about what you wanna say, how you wanna say it, and continuing to say it in different ways is gonna make a really big difference where people are like, yes. I'm finally getting it, Suz. Yeah.

Suz Chadwick [00:20:08]:
Yes. I will be brave. Yes. I will be courageous. Yes. I will start to work on my brand and really understand what I am here And what I'm standing for, what's the hill that I'm willing to die on? Yeah. So really think about the fact that If you are talking about what it is that you do, and I know you're gonna hate me saying this, but I'm gonna say it anyway, you need to do it 10 times more, Twenty times more, because I can guarantee you're not doing it enough already. Yeah? So now is the time To reiterate more of what you your values are, what you stand for, what you're here to help your clients to do, get creative The way that you talk about it.

Suz Chadwick [00:20:50]:
Start to share your journey and the behind the scenes so that people connect with you, who you are, and what you're all about. Yeah? So that is what I wanted to share with you this morning is all about how to bring your full self to your business. Because I can tell you now, when you decide to bring your full self, nobody can compete with that. Nobody compete with all the elements of what makes you uniquely you and amazing, and the people who have been looking for somebody like you will be all in. They will be all in. I have had clients can I tell you? I have had clients for, Like, 10 years. Like, clients who started with me 10 years ago have stayed with me for 10 years. Like, I cannot believe that I started my business in 2014, and I it was part time for a while, But I got clients then, and they're still clients now.

Suz Chadwick [00:21:49]:
And I just think that when you decide to show up fully as yourself, People want to be part of that. Yeah? So don't be afraid to show up. Don't be afraid to be yourself. And I just want you to know that your best like, the best clients of your life are waiting for you to do that. Like, if you're sitting there going, why can I not find amazing clients? It's because you're not trusting that when you Show up fully as yourself, and you really share. Like, I'm talking about the deep stuff. Like, don't expect people and and some people may disagree with me on this, But don't expect people to be all in on you when you're not all in on yourself. Don't expect people to be like, Here's my money.

Suz Chadwick [00:22:41]:
I wanna work with you for the next 10 years or however long. If you're not showing up fully as yourself And being vulnerable, honest, open, like, courageous, that is what I think Sometimes, he's missing in the world is people who are brave enough to be like, I'm, If you wanna follow me, you can come and follow me. Like, if you want me to, like, help you and support you and show you, like, what I think and what I've learned, Then come with. Yeah? And I think that that leadership and that self belief, And it it's not like there's a 100% everything's perfect. Like, that's why I talk about the fail files. That's why I talk about things that go wrong. That's why I talk about lessons that I learn along the way because it's never perfect, and it's it's never everything's working. Yeah? But if you're somebody who wants to be a leader, if you're somebody who wants to stand out, if you're somebody who wants to Create a movement and bring people along with you, then you have to show up fully as yourself.

Suz Chadwick [00:23:51]:
You can't expect people to come on that journey with you. If you're pretending or you're hiding or you're not being 100% you. So that is what I wanted to share. This is gonna go on the Brand Builders Lab Podcast. If you've joined late and you're like, I missed I missed the whole thing, Suze, where I got on my soapbox, and I talked about how you can bring your full self to your business because I am on this Mission at the moment. Yeah. I feel like I kinda got lost a little bit last year in a lot of the doing And a lot of the process and a lot of the hustling and that sort of thing, which is like another you know, we have our peaks and troughs. We have times where Business is flying, and it's like amazing and incredible.

Suz Chadwick [00:24:42]:
And other times when you're like, how am I down in the ditch right now after being in business for so long. And that's just because that's how it is. That's the roller coaster. That's the honest truth that sometimes you'll be flying, and other times you'll be in that dip. And so 2024 for me, As the year of yes, saying yes to more of the things that I want in my life, saying yes to more of the things that bring me joy and happiness, saying yes to putting myself first so that I can become the happiest, healthiest, like, strongest version of myself so that I can be that for those around me, then that is bringing my full self to my business as well. And so I just really wanna encourage you that if the last couple of years have been tough or you've you know, there's there's been things that have not worked the way that you want, I really wanna encourage you To get on the year of yes with me, which is really about, like, you being fully yourself, yeah, and not hiding and not worrying about what other people think, but being like, I'm gonna be courageous, I'm gonna be brave, and I'm gonna show up. If you wanna listen to this full episode or this full live, then you can go to the Brand Builder's Lab Podcast. We will be publishing it probably by the end of the week.

Suz Chadwick [00:26:02]:
But, otherwise, have An amazing rest of your day. And if you got any questions for me, you can always DM me at Sus Chadwick. Make sure that you're following. I do do impromptu Chewed lives as well. But, otherwise, have an amazing day, and I will speak with you