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Hey YOU!

Tired of business advice that doesn't feel like...YOU? This newsletter is your permission slip to build your business on your own terms...let's dive in!

I hope you all enjoyed the Halloween festivities last week and are maybe now shifting into cozy mode, possibly with a few festive twinkle lights already out (no shame here).

I used to wait until mid-November, or at least until after Remembrance Day (Canadian holiday) before putting up anything remotely holiday themed. It felt like the “respectful” thing to do.

But then COVID hit. And like so many of you, I found myself desperate for a little joy. So I put up the lights early. And I remember thinking... the people who fought for our freedoms would probably want us to celebrate the little things, right? To live and embrace joy in the face of uncertainty?

Anyway...I digress (classic ADHD tangent 🙃).

This week I'm feeling so proud of one of my clients! The brilliant Lisa Simone Richards, PR Expert turned Imposter-Breaking Stationary Queen whose journal just landed in Indigo!

Lisa created her brand, Pearl Spark Pages, to help women entrepreneurs reflect on their inner world so they can pursue their business dreams with clarity and confidence!

And the story behind her brand? It’s pretty powerful.

Even after 20 years in PR and speaking on big stages, Lisa still felt like she wasn’t enough. Which, let’s be honest, is the story so many of us are carrying (because...well, patriarchy).

That kind of vulnerability? It’s so important in branding because it brings the right people into our spaces!

But also, when we normalize sharing the regular bits of ourselves, and say these things out loud, it gives other people permission to dream and DO and go after things despite feelings of imposter syndrome.

It was such an honour to help Lisa bring her vision to life with brand strategy and visual branding. Watching her bring this dream to market is just the best feeling ever! #proudbrandstrategist

I am a super fan which is why when Lisa launched a new free quiz, called How is Imposter Syndrome Sneaking into Your Business? I had to share it with you all because it totally *hit* and got me thinking!

The one statement that really stood out to me said...

Oh.

Like hi, I’m a traditionally published author, with nearly 8,000 copies sold. I’ve built my own author platform, multiple businesses, and helped people like Lisa stand out...and yeah I still have days where I wonder “Am I even good at this?”

I am constantly waiting for other people to tell me I'm good enough, and even when they do, my brain's like "hmm...not sure that counts." 😅

The truth is that these thoughts never fully go away.

And that's what got me thinking about how much waiting entrepreneurs do.

Waiting for the "right" feeling...the "right" time, client, offer, or program.

The road to getting your business off the ground is bumpy. And I don’t think we talk about that enough.

We see the success stories.

The “$10K months.” The perfectly curated launches. The "I retired my husband" brags.

But what we don’t see is the messy trial and error. The pivots. The stuff that takes years to make happen!

It annoys me so much, I've made it my personal mission (one of many!) to remind you all that growing a business you love takes time.

Your business has the potential to create so much good...for you, your family, and the world. That's why I don't want you to keep waiting for the "right" thing!

Any move you make, small or big, matters.

But here's the thing...

You have to be kind to yourself while you figure it out! You have to give yourself time to grow.

For me, this is one of the hardest parts of entrepreneurship...finding the patience to let things happen (while also still doing the things you need to do try to move the needle)!

Remember: action builds clarity. Take a peek at Lisa’s quiz if you need a little nudge.

It might just be the thing that gets you unstuck!

Thank you so much for giving me space in your inbox! Missed a previous email? Catch up here! xo Emily Lauren Whenever you're ready, here are some ways we can work together: ✍️ Branding – Anything but vanilla branding so you can stand out and call in dream clients! 🤖 Brand Recipe Maker Bot – Trained by me to turn your business brain "scramblies" into a clear brand guide—so every post, page, and pitch feels confident, consistent, and totally aligned. Intro price: $199 CAD! 💋 Website Templates – Websites that help you stand out without burning out (coming soon!). *COMING SOON* More tools, templates and support for values-led entrepreneurs who want to show up online like themselves. ​