A couple years ago, a women’s group I’m a part of gave everyone an incredible gift. We went around our digital circle and offered each other an answer to the question, “How do you see me showing up in the world? What do you think of when you think of me?”
It’s a fascinating exercise seeing yourself through the eyes of others, and because the space was one where trust had been established for years, it packed a lot more punch than, say, those retreats where people who know you for a few hours tell you what they think of you? (Not to say there isn’t value there, but it’s very different thing to get this kind of input from an established community.)
What stuck with me from that was someone saying she considered me a “Reinvention Specialist.”
Ooh. Yes. That.
That is decidedly a thing I do. Over and over and over again. I’ve lived more lives already than I probably deserve. I’m so much less risk averse than the average person that when it feels like it’s time to go, I just do. Jumping off the bridge isn’t the scary part. It’s right after when you’re like, “Wait, did I pack for this?” and you land with whatever happened to make in the bag beforehand.
But of course, this new possible title also caused more internal strife than it probably warranted as I turned it over, overthinking it into oblivion like I have this bad tendency to. I mean, it sounds sexy, but what does that translate into? What does it mean for my work? My brand? How the hell do you sell and provide actual value… without turning into a one of those horrible caricatures who who has all the answers and will share them with you at this schmancy conference for only 9999?
The thing is, I’d never turn into that because I’m not an asshole.
Hah. #sorrynotsorry
But really. I know what matters to me – a life filled with adventure, creativity, romance. One that doesn’t stomp all over other people or the planet. What that looks like on the outside can change, but the way I act tends not to.
The thing is, we all lose sight of ourselves sometimes, but I tend to bounce back very quickly from that. I’d rather embrace the uncertainty of jumping without a parachute than stay a moment too long some place where I feel like I’m being contained.
This is probably why I’m a bad employee. But I’m not even sure that’s true anymore. I’m giving myself more space to explore that maybe I just haven’t found the right fit – I’m just really good at sales and getting into positions that end up leaving me between a rock and a hard place.
But all of this has left me wondering –
How do you reinvent and evolve and stay grounded in your values?
I think this is at the foundation of the work I do. I provide instant gratification for your business and brand. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
What I provide is an intuitive and fucking fast way to light your old work up in flames so you can work on your passion project. Or maybe it’s the fire under your ass you needed to finally get this shit out in to the world.
Or maybe we’re just pyros and would be happier playing with fireworks than building businesses. Anyway.
Here’s what I know about the people I work with.
You want to hit that next iteration faster.
You know what you’re aspiring to, but the technology and the associated time sink are getting in your way .
Maybe you’ve been unable to identify exactly what’s standing in the way of you finally creating that signature offer.
Maybe you just fucking hate writing sales pages. (Valid.)
Maybe you just need some fucking support because you’re not getting it from the half-ass VA’s you’ve tried hiring, your husband acts like you’re not running a real business, and you’re pissed off because you can see where you want to go and you just. need. some. help.
If that sounds like you, I want to say – first off, I’m sorry. I have been there.
Last year, I wasted at least 20,000 on contractors who fucking sucked. They said they knew what they were doing, that they were reliable, etc. Big talk. Zero walk.
When I left my ex-husband, it was because I was the sole breadwinner, and while I was working full time and making shit happen on the side, too, it was never enough. I was never enough.
Finding the right help is fucking hard. I wrote a book about it.
But you know what? If you’ve made it this far, I bet we are a good fit. Get on the phone with me. Let’s talk about what you need. I’ve got the Funnel Cake Fix where I can go in and help you build the thing the same day, but for the person who needs ongoing help that makes sense for their business and budget, I’m creating a Fix Subscription.
You + me for 3rd quarter. We commit to making shit happen for 3 months. You get 3 fixes, plus 3 60-minute brand strategy calls with me. Fuck, I’ll even fly out and do it in person with you. Interested? Call me.
Let’s get your business where you want it to be. Otherwise, what are we even here for?
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Dusti Arab, Fractional CMO
And the founder of the reinvention co, a marketing consultancy specializing in working with personality-driven companies with small teams.
Intense, fun, and relentlessly practical, Dusti understands the lives of small business owners are deeply intertwined with their businesses, and if their marketing is going to be sustainable, it can't get in the way of why they do what they do. (And honestly? It should be fun so they actually want to do it.)
She is the host of Referral Worthy, a podcast for small business owners ready to go from "best kept secret" to the go-to name in their niche.