Your wild, weird, and quirky

… it’s not great, business is not doing good, and we are not making a difference when stuck, drained, and undervalued.

Hello marvelicious,

I hope you are enjoying a moment of silence, kicking back with your feet up, and indulging in a sip of your favorite beverage. 🫠 

Selling ourselves with our story

Sigh.

I’m adopted, an empath, and a recovering people-pleaser.

For most of my life, I’ve been amazing at helping others shine.

A part of me is deeply grateful for that, another is healing because it often came with the cost of putting myself last.

Then came the pivot.

By telling my authentic story it became natural and effective to present myself, sell my services, and be recognized for my true value.

On that journey, I discovered that the technique of storytelling came so naturally to me that I got to work with some of the best in the world - helping them elevate their own story or storytelling skills - such as David JP Phillips.

Your Story…

Where are you going?

Imagine you are on a date, it’s a warm evening and you are feeling better than BEST, wearing that ONE outfit you know you glow in, smiling from head to toe, and you get lost in a colorful conversation with your date for the evening.

• There you have key #1 - it’s in the name, treat it as a conversation, not a pitch, not an “I need to sell myself”, and for goodness sake, avoid any sensation to impress.

• Then between the lines, you may have caught key #2 - the abundant energy - the smile, outfit, and glow. If you arrive stressed, desperate, and under the impression that you need to impress, you only end up flat.

• Finally, key #3, my StoryBrand favorite - your NEW tomorrow, in other words, allow yourself to dream again (I know, we adults just tend to forget about that). What future are you making your date feel pulled towards?

Here’s a framework many of my workshop clients have loved working with.

Start with Why

Yes, I just used Simon Sinek’s signature to transition to the part that makes it so natural and effective to be recognized for your value.

What do you stand for?

In other words, why are you doing what you do? Why are you taking them to XYZ?

This is where everyone who is just in it for the money falls flat, and this is when you do, too unless you focus more on what truly drives you than the money

If you haven’t read Simon’s book yet, or want to get reminded, you can do so for free here.

And there must be adversity

It’s a warm spring evening in 2017 and I’m on an actual date.

I had heard of this amazing movie called “Lion” (I highly recommend it), so I figured, let’s have a proper movie date.

Halfway through the movie, people are crying left and right (I had been warned) but I’m not feeling it. Instead, I comfort my date as she wipes a tear off her right cheek.

Then, the movie takes a turn, there’s a jolt in my stomach, pressure is building up behind my eyes.

I look away and bite my teeth with all my strength NOT to cry - but fail.

Tears explode and my date is now comforting me, which adds a sensation of shame to the situation. All I want is to bury my head in the ground.

That day. I never forgot.

I had finally discovered the liberation of embracing and expressing my emotions, and ever since, I’ve shared that moment in speeches and workshops to inspire and empower.

Embrace your full story

Promoting ourselves, selling our services, and making a REAL difference around us requires that we embrace our shadows and moments of tragedy.

There is NO story without them.

And yet, the only thing most people talk about is their successes (sometimes with a hint of struggle, like, “ohh I failed”, no specifics).

Have you ever felt connected, inspired, or confident to invest time, energy, and money in someone who only refers to their achievements, facts, certificates, years of experience, how fast they can work, etc.?

I didn’t think so.

Especially not when the emotional investment (time, energy, money, love) is high.

Your wild, weird, and quirky are the very reasons a certain few (if calling thousands of thousands of people “a few”) are YOUR people.

The ones that relate with you, believe in you, and want to work with you - not because you are the cheapest choice, but because you are the right choice.

Speak to them.

Let them know you exist, tell them you understand how it feels to be in their shoes, and show them your tools that can help them (often, just knowing that they are not alone goes a long way.

How to use your story?

• Approach it as a conversation from abundance.

• Tell them where you are taking them - and why.

• Let them know that you understand how it feels to be them today.

As a result, joy, love, and freedom replace the drain and smallness.

You have more time for yourself, get to work with people who truly value your expertise, and make a true difference.

The world will NEVER feel as intimidating again.

My name is Erik, made in Colombia, raised in Sweden, and a child of no particular nation.

I believe in a world where we all live a life of joy, love, and freedom. A world where our full, authentic richness is celebrated.

And I hope you feel inspired to give your true story a wholehearted go the next time someone asks, “What do you do?” or, “Tell me a little about yourself.”

Shake and bake,
E and Little E