Why you should and shouldn't care... ðŸĪŠ


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Why You Should Care and Why You Shouldn't Care...

Each month, I deliver a fresh, feminist-inspired, creative marketing email to your inbox...Let's dive in!

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I'm back! You probably didn't even realize I was gone (love being able to schedule content, BTW), but last month, I took a vacation.
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It was great to be with my family and take some time to recharge, dream, and not worry about the gazillion schedules I juggle daily. I read several business books, made lots of notes, and sent myself a ton of emails. *Don't tell me I'm the only one who does this when inspiration strikes?*

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Anyway, it was lovely, but I was stressing about how much stuff we missed while we were away. All the hockey games, birthday parties, meetings...

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I totally recognize the importance of taking guilt-free time away from the hustle of everyday life, yet in reality, it's harder to put into practice...especially as a recovering people pleaser.

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It got me thinking...why do I care?! Why does it bother me so much to prioritize my needs? Why am I so afraid to be seen as a human who needs time to recharge, have fun, and just BE? Why do I feel icky about people needing to accommodate my time away?​
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And the answer is that our worth is tied to our productivity, especially as women.​
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Can you believe the audacity I had to take up space and decide that I would not be available while I recharged?! It is almost revolutionary.​
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In the same way women entrepreneurs are redefining the workplace by working for themselves, we also can redefine how we appear to the world and our inner circles.

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YOU GET TO DECIDE.

YOU GET TO DECIDE who you want to be.

YOU GET TO DECIDE how you want to appear.

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Have you ever felt like you're too much? Asking for too much? Like you should try to shrink yourself or give up your time and parts of yourself for others...

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Those feelings are a survival tactic we learned from generations of women who made themselves small to stay safe.

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But guess what? We're done surviving. It's time to thrive.​
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And it starts with getting REALLY clear on whose opinions actually matter.

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Here's the thing: It actually DOES matter what people think...but we often get caught up in caring about the wrong opinions.

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We focus on the negative ones (it feels safer, right?), so we avoid being our true selves rather than attracting the people who truly vibe with us. The people whose opinions we should actually care about.

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To one person, you might be "too much." But to others? You're perfect just the way you are.

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And those are the people you want in your corner!

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Okay, so you're clear on whose opinions matter – now, how do you make sure those people see the real you?

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It all comes down to building a brand that radiates authenticity.

Brand Visibility Tip of the Month

Building a brand that feels both professional AND authentic can be a serious struggle, especially when you're trying to break free from those tired old beauty standards.

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How do you strike that balance without falling into the trap of performative "perfection"?

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Your personal brand isn't about pretending you're perfect 24/7 – it's about showcasing the best version of you.

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Think of it like you're hosting a dinner party. You wouldn't serve your guests burnt cookies and a half-empty bottle of wine, right? You'd put your best foot forward with a delicious meal (even if it was takeout), a clean house, and maybe even a tablecloth (okay, maybe not that fancy).

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Your brand is like that dinner party. It's not about pretending you're perfect. It's about presenting the best version of yourself to your guests (a.k.a. your potential clients).

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And let's be honest: first impressions matter.

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You have seconds to capture someone's attention when they land on your website or social media page.

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Your branding – your visuals, your messaging, your overall vibe – must communicate quality and build trust to get your foot in the door.
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Once that door opens and a killer first impression has been made, the RIGHT people will stick around to learn more about you.
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It's okay if 99% of the time you're rocking a top knot and sweat pants (or leggings, in my case).

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You can show other sides of you in meetings, Instagram stories, and behind-the-scenes content. Give them a peek behind the curtain, and let them see the real you, messy bun and all!

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When people get a sense of who you are, that's when they really decide if they want to work with you or not.​
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Ready to ditch the "shoulds" and step into a brand that truly reflects your badass self? Book a free call with me or email me back!

Tools + Resources

​Brandsplaining by Jane Cunningham and Philippa Roberts - This was a great poolside read! My favourite takeaway was the proven research on how women need to be provided with what they actually want from brands instead of being told what they should want (as historically has been done in the past). Highly recommended!

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​Office Hours - Register for office hours on January 8th at 12PM EST! Every month, I will offer a FREE office hours event where you can ask anything. Want feedback on your website or Canva designs? Need marketing advice, clarity, or simply want to co-work? Join us virtually.

Stuff You Should Care About

There are so many world events I could highlight right now, but I've personally needed a break from the news. Check out this post I created that applies whenever something bad happens in the world.

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World Politics: A lot is going on in the world right now, and the news cycles love to focus on the negative. It's what keeps us glued to our screens, fearful of the future and feeling powerless. Don't let the chaos steal your joy! You have the power to create change, lift others, and fight for those who need it. Patriarchy and capitalism count on us being tired and scared, so I want you to remember that things always get worse before they get better. And they WILL GET BETTER because the world has us!
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​Hate on the Rise - It feels like hate's getting louder, bolder, and more comfortable showing its true colours (and they aren't pretty). This post by Feminist shares some ways we can take action.

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My New Book is Coming Soon: It's an inclusive board book for children! You can grab a digital copy of I Love Me from A to Z for FREE here (you just need to set up an account) or pre-order it here!

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Thank you so much for reading and giving me space in your inbox! I am so thankful for you.

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Missed a previous email? Catch up here!​

xo Emily Lauren

Whenever you're ready, here are some ways we can work together:

✍ïļ Branding – Anything but vanilla branding so you can stand out and call in dream clients!

💋 Website Design – Websites that stop your clients in their tracks and are so good they work while you sleep (you're welcome).

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Inbox overwhelm? I get it. No hard feelings!

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Hey, I'm Emily, and I don't just create stand out brands - I create change.

I am a multi-passionate, feminist creative marketer who helps women stand out online without burning out. As an accomplished web designer, brand strategist, and published author, I know a thing or twenty about helping women-owned businesses grow their online presence, wealth, and impact in the world (because women do good stuff with their money) AND confidently take up space online.

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