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Hey Reader,

There is something about the beginning of summer that makes me feel like I should be doing more (when really all I'm craving is rest).

I love a good schedule, but I am so ready to stop making lunches every morning. I mean, yes, I still have to feed my kids when they're home, but I just want to be a little more chill about it, okay?!

I don't know about you...but it feels like everyone around me is ramping the f*ck up.

People seem to be getting more social, planning events, doing things. There are a million entrepreneur events happening...in person and virtually. Networking happy hours. Online communities with thousands of members DMing you for coffee chats.

It's a lot.

Sometimes when I see people I've connected with online showing up at IRL events together, or collaborating or virtual summits, I feel a little left out. Like I'm falling behind.

I have to remind myself that those people might genuinely love that stuff. And that's 100% okay.

Don't get me wrong, I love connecting with people too! I just need conversations that have some depth to them, and a recovery period of approximately five business days after anything social. 😭

I don't do well being ON all the time. And honestly? Neither does my business model.

Like, aren't these people tired?!

Here's what I've been thinking about lately: even in this era of "reformed girl bosses" and "anti-hustle tech bros", a lot of the sustainable systems being sold are STILL just hustle culture in a cuter package.

"You need a simpler visibility strategy — go to this event and join our membership"

"You need an easier referral strategy — just do these 10 things to nurture your relationships"

"You need a more sustainable funnel — just set it up once and let it work for you"

Different packaging. Same pressure.

And that's kind of the power AND the problem with branding.

It can be used to make you feel like you need to do more, be more, move faster. And when you don't get the results it makes you feel like YOU'RE the problem.

If you're selling "anti-hustle" or "sustainable strategies", your brand should actually reflect that. Not just in what you say, but in how you show up, what you promote, and what you're asking people to do.

That's exactly why my whole method is: Being Yourself is the Strategy™.

You have to build your brand around who you are (not who you think you're supposed to show up as) if you want to attract people who get you.

Anti-hustle doesn't mean slow work or a sloppy client experience.

For me it means, I can block an hour in my work week for a facial and that I am sooooooo not waking up at 5am to meditate.

The people I work with? They want that to. Well, maybe not the mid week facial or the later wake up time. What they do want is to not feel pressured to work at someone else's pace.

They can respond on a Saturday or take the weekend off, if it works for them. With me, they know it's okay to respond when they're able.

Of course, there are still days I feel the pull to do it someone else's way. But when you get results doing it YOUR way? It feels so much better, right?!

I get burnt out when I "people" too much so I am so grateful that my brand does a lot of "talking" for me.

It gives me space to do the things I love: client work and ALL the stuff outside of it (plus the occasional self-care appointment).

But the thing about long term marketing assets, like your branding, is you have to give them time to work.

You won't get results overnight (and I won't pretend otherwise).

But branding does compound. That steady and sturdy foundation IS what sets your business up for success.

Slow results don't mean something isn't working.

And I was reminded recently that sometimes you need to stick with a strategy long enough to LET IT WORK.

The time to make a change isn't when results feel slow...

It's when your messaging is inconsistent, you're attracting clients who aren't a good fit, and when showing up online starts to feel like a performance.

Most people think they have to wait until they're successful to invest in their brand. But branding is often the most important tool for becoming successful.

Ready to say goodbye to beginner brand energy?

👉 Brand Intensive — an honest, in-depth look at what's holding your brand back and exactly what needs to shift.

👉 Custom Branding — strategy, messaging, and visuals built around who you actually are.

Not sure where to start? Book a call and we'll figure it out together.

Emily 💋

xo Emily Lauren (she/her) Missed a previous email? Catch up here!​