Think back to the last time you went to a business event.

I bet the first thing you worried about was what to wear, right? Of course! You wouldn’t dream of showing up in your slippers or tennis shoes because you know you wouldn’t be taken seriously. No! You would pull out your “Go To" outfit that looks and feels amazing…or even better, go shopping for a new one.

WHY DOES IT MATTER WHAT WE WEAR?
Because when we show up looking good, it increases our confidence big time, makes us feel better about ourselves and opens us up to interact with people more easily. Half the battle is won.

Imagine if you felt the same way about how your business looks and feels!
You would likely stand out, attract the people who align with you and clearly communicate who you are, who you’re for and exactly how you help people. You would show up confidently, ready to serve your dream clients.

If your business image looks more like the tacky pink slippers than the cute black booties, then read on...

EVERYBODY STRUGGLES with showing up at their best.
I distinctly remember getting an email about a local lunch event for Christian business women that I really wanted to attend back in April 2015. The problem was I was in the middle of a rebrand, still working through the details and I wasn’t sure I was “ready” to show up!

My assistant was sitting with me and I looked at her, looked back at the screen, and then back at her and quickly rattled off seven reasons why I wasn’t ready:

1. I’m not a dynamic, extrovert who loves to work a room…so networking events are something I have to psyche myself up for…just to walk in the door!

2. I was so busy doing client work that I had no decent marketing materials of my own!

3. I had website shame! Not good when you design websites for clients!!

4. My wardrobe was looking tired…What would I wear???

5. I didn’t have a good answer to the dreaded networking question: “What do you do?” because I did so many things I couldn’t even keep track of them all.

6. I wasn’t sure how I would “measure up” against the other women in the room. Was I enough?

7. I didn’t feel like I was a good representative of the very thing I do for my clients, so my confidence was lacking.

So many reasons NOT to attend… Can you relate??

Nevertheless, I decided to step outside my comfort zone, click the link to get my ticket and go. Getting my “image” in better order suddenly moved to the TOP of my To Do list!

I ordered new business cards, bought a new badly needed outfit and I practiced all kinds of ways to answer the big “What do you do?” question on the way there. Everything either sounded like I was “posturing” to make myself sound amazing or it sounded lame. I decided to just be authentically me and enjoy the event.

While I wasn’t eloquent answering the “What do you do?” question, I actually loved the conversation with the women at my table. We shared about our businesses, what was going well and not so well, and I was able to give some helpful advice and guidance in my area of expertise when it was needed. I had no agenda and it was fun!

I left that event with a little more confidence and dare I say a little pat on my back for pushing myself to go without having everything perfect. But I was also energized to get my act in order so that I showed up at the next event representing myself better and with way less stress.

So I showed up the next month and guess what?

Two of the women I met actually became clients I still have to this day!

Two months later, I was asked to be on the Board of the nonprofit and am now the Vice President and Marketing Chair of Professional Christian Women’s Connection in San Diego!

Who knew?!

What about you? How do you show up?
* Are you totally confident and clear about who you are and what you do?

* Do you love attending networking events and working the room?

* Do your marketing materials represent you well?

* Do people instantly get what you do and understand if they’re a fit for you or not?

Or are you on the other side?
- Do you avoid events because you don’t have all your ducks in a row?

- Do you suffer from website shame?

- Are your marketing materials “economical” and DIY instead of professionally done? (First impressions matter!)

- Are people confused and unable to grasp what you do?

- Do you cringe inside every time someone asks you, “What do you do”? (And then try a variation on what you said the last time to see if it elicits a better response?)

If you’re confused and can’t articulate your own value, don’t expect anyone else to get it. And if you're serious about showing up in a bigger and better way, you need to get this handled!

You may be amazing at what you do. You may be able to really help people, but if you can’t communicate it clearly and succinctly in person AND online, you won’t be successful.

It all boils down to your brand.

So what is a brand?
A brand is way more than a logo and color palette. It is who your customers think you are, even if it’s not what you want them to think. It stands for what you do and why you do it. It’s how it makes your customers feel. It's the words, colors, photography and style you use to talk about your brand.

If it’s going to accurately represent you, then you must be intentional about how you convey it.

Show up with confidence and excellence!
People buy from those they know, like and trust. If you are serious about growing your business, your ministry, your influence and impact, you must position yourself effectively in the market and clarify four things:

1. Who you are;
2. Who you serve;
3. The problem you solve; and
4. How it makes someone's life or business better.

GOD WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED!
I believe we all have a purpose in the world and a specific purpose through the work we do. First and foremost, it is to glorify God. The how and where we do that is unique to all of us.

We need more faith-centered entrepreneurs in the marketplace, gaining influence and making an impact. Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and step into something bigger?
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My personal purpose is Empowering Potential and God has put a burden on my heart that just won’t go away. That is to equip and empower Christian entrepreneurs like you to be Kings in the marketplace. To fine-tune your message and marketing so you stand out to your dream customer. To live out your God-given potential through the work you do with excellence and to prosper so that people pay attention and God gets the glory.

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Request the free resource below and then check out Get Noticed By Design, a new 10 week faith-based program designed to help you break through the cluttered marketplace and stand out to your ideal client without having to shout. Done correctly, your marketing will feel more like a gift to the people you are meant to serve, rather than hype and sales tactics.