Here Is What Elevated My Business: Going From $25k A Year To $1M

First things first. Let me tell you the juiciest nugget that truly has reshaped my outlook on running my business and getting to the figures I am at today: As a business owner, realizing that being hated is part of the process can make it easier to stand out and be seen.

It’s essential not to sound like everyone else in your industry.

It goes without saying: don’t try to fit in! I’ve made it my mission to stand out from the crowd. I’ve always been that person who doesn’t fit into the status quo. I’m not a cliquey person. In various industries, it can feel exclusive, and that’s the last thing I want.

I want everyone to feel welcome. I don’t want anyone to think I’m above them or that I’m better. Sometimes, people can fangirl a bit, and I’m like, “Why?” I find it weird when someone wants a photo with me. Even when people are excited to get on a call with me, I’m often baffled.

It’s human nature to put someone on a pedestal, especially when we see their social media presence. But I always want to make it clear: I’m not exclusive. I want to welcome everyone with open arms. Most of my friends have completely different jobs. I love the variety because it keeps me grounded in the normal human experience.

You want to stand out, and that requires embracing your uniqueness. You won't be remembered if you’re fitting in with everyone else. It’s better to have haters than to be forgotten. Remember, even if someone dislikes you, they still remember you.

So many clients start by disagreeing with what I say, only to hire me later. 

Just because someone doesn’t like you doesn’t make you a nobody. In fact, it’s okay to be a nobody in someone else’s mind. If you’re constantly trying to please everyone online, you risk being boring (vanilla, in the worst way.)

These days, showing up online can be tough, especially with the potential for negativity. I recently had a viral reel, and while it can be exciting, it also attracts mean comments. Some people don’t take the time to read the context, and it can sting.

What I want to emphasize is this: If you’re avoiding haters, you might also avoid those who love your content. Sometimes, I create content that I know will ruffle feathers because it helps filter out people who aren’t a good fit for me. If you want to be remembered, you must be okay with being hated.

Being okay with that takes the pressure off. You won’t spend so much energy trying to avoid negativity. You can express yourself freely, regardless of whether others agree with you.

I’m often asked how I can stay so calm when people disagree with me. It’s simple: they don’t need to agree with me. Mutual respect can exist even in disagreement. Unfortunately, many people today don’t understand that.

There’s a lot of research showing that a significant percentage of people feel unsafe expressing their truth in relationships because they fear it will end the relationship. That’s a problem, and it extends into the online world.

So, with that all being said… the biggest thing I have learned is to be authentic to yourself, yourself, your audience, and your brand. That is the only way you will ever be able to succeed.