The Good: Empowering Your Brand and Impact
Running your own business provides freedom—the freedom to define who you are, what you stand for, and the impact you want to have on the world. Establishing your brand is a powerful exercise in identity. For me, building my brand around resilience, inclusivity, and empowerment has allowed me to connect deeply with others and create a meaningful difference in people’s lives. When your business is a direct reflection of who you are, authenticity shines through, helping you resonate with clients, audiences, or partners who share similar values.
As a motivational speaker and advocate for inclusion, my journey involved branding myself as someone who defies limits and promotes positive change. Over time, partnerships with organizations such as SmartCrutch and Thuasne, companies that supported my trek to Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro, helped elevate my message. These brands aligned with my mission to inspire and break down barriers, showcasing how powerful collaborations with value-aligned organizations can boost your brand visibility and credibility.
The Bad: The Weight of Responsibility
Owning a business and being your brand can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Unlike working a nine-to-five, where you can leave work at the office, running a business often means that work never truly leaves you. This constant responsibility can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when dealing with setbacks or when the results don’t match the effort you’re putting in.
Moreover, as your brand grows, so does the demand for consistency. Every word, every appearance, and every social media post needs to reflect your values and uphold your reputation. This expectation can be challenging, especially when balancing personal growth, resilience, and adapting to new challenges. Yet, it’s part of the journey. For instance, my personal experiences with setbacks have helped me develop talks on resilience, which resonate with audiences who also face challenges and seek inspiration to keep pushing forward.
The Ugly: Facing Unseen Obstacles
Challenges in business aren’t always external; some are deeply personal. As someone who lives with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and navigates a world that isn’t always accessible, I’ve faced challenges that many others might not encounter. These obstacles have tested my patience and resilience, but they’ve also shaped my message, reminding me that failure and setbacks are essential parts of success. For every mountain I climbed—literally and figuratively—I had to prepare for the days when things didn’t go as planned, using those moments as teaching points in my journey to motivate others.
Running a business also means encountering moments where values don’t align, whether that’s with potential clients, sponsors, or even industry expectations. The risk is high, but the reward of staying true to your brand and your core values is worth it. Remaining authentic to what I stand for has opened doors to opportunities with organizations that genuinely support my mission of inclusion and resilience.
The Power of Collaboration: Scaling Through Shared Vision
One of the greatest advantages of running your own brand is the ability to choose who you work with. Partnering with organisations that share your values not only strengthens your message but also broadens your reach. These partnerships offer more than just visibility; they’re about shared journeys and mutual support, which can be incredibly fulfilling.
For example, working with like-minded companies has allowed me to scale my brand beyond what I could have achieved alone. Each partnership amplified the message of resilience and inclusion, enabling me to reach wider audiences. When organisations that genuinely believe in your mission rally behind you, they bring their networks, resources, and credibility along. Collaborations built on shared values create a larger, stronger platform from which both brands benefit.
Scaling Your Brand Through Collaboration
To scale your brand, seek collaborations that feel organic and values-driven. Look for organisations that not only align with your message but are committed to actively supporting it. In my experience, working with sponsors like Thuasne, and Partners like Champions UK PLC as well as Red Umbrella and CareCoins have be vital to my journey, showcasing the real power of collaboration. Such partnerships show your audience that other reputable names believe in your mission, further cementing your brand’s credibility and reach.
In the end, running a business has its peaks and valleys. But by committing to authenticity, aligning with the right partners, and preparing to overcome the tough days, you can create a brand that stands the test of time. So, here’s to embracing the good, weathering the bad, and learning from the ugly. And remember, it’s always about more than just surviving; it’s about thriving, growing, and inspiring others to get back up—no matter the obstacles.
Jamie McAnsh , Jamie is a motivational speaker, disabled adventurer, and award-winning athlete who transforms personal adversity into a beacon of hope and inspiration. His mission is to promote inclusivity, resilience, and a positive mindset through his powerful storytelling, inclusive advocacy and corporate engagements.
