4 Minute Read

I’ve been a full-time designer for the past ten years now. When I first started out, I had no client base or any followers. I was just some random kid who learned how to photoshop from YouTube. One vital mistake that I made when I started out was downplaying my value as a creator. I thought that for people to take me seriously I had to be a huge corporation. So, I created this fake company name, made all the copy on the website sound like a generic 100-person design firm, and made myself look like an employee of this company. I feared that if people realized it was just me on this website, they wouldn’t hire me for work.

Years later I’m having coffee with my friend, and I’m explaining my frustration with my “business.” My business’ name was outdated, and I was bored with the overall mindset. I knew I needed to do a redesign not only of the company’s name and brand but also the vision. That’s when my friend said something that changed the course of how I run my business.

“No one knows your business, everyone knows you. You’re the business.”

He was right. I was the face of the company because I was the actual company. My misstep was misrepresenting myself. Instead of being a warm, inviting, and personality-driven business I chose to do the exact opposite of who I was as a person.

The more personal you are with your hustle, the more likely people are open to receive it.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone complain about a company being too personal. I have heard people complain how impersonal companies can be.

The more people see you, the more they will seem themselves in you. They will relate to your struggles, the hi’s, and lows.

It’s time to offer ourselves as who we are, not who we wish we were.

Scripture

“Christ has set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1

“For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

God does not see us in our sins or flaws. It’s easy for us to magnify our blemishes and think that’s what we’ll be known for, but God sees it the opposite way. God magnifies the beauty that He has given us. He’s not skittish by our weakness like we are.

God has created us uniquely and is even “rejoicing over us with songs.” God is pleased with who we are. Not with who we wish to be.

Application