BRANDSTALK #120
Brigitte Bojkowszky

at ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH
hosted by KAREN A. BULLUCK

✨”If you’re not aware, not conscious of how you show yourself to the world others make up their own opinion, whether you like it or not.”💫

Are You Brave Enough to Be The First?

I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to be featured as the FIRST guest on Karen Ann Bulluck’s captivating show, “Are You Brave Enough?” 

We’re embarking on a journey inspired by a thought-provoking conversation with a fellow visionary, the remarkable Karen A. Bulluck, risk-taking coach and the founder of Daring To Transcend as well as a number 1 bestselling author. On her new show “Are You Brave Enough” I delved into the very essence of why I’m not afraid to be the first, sharing insights that have the potential to transform your perspective on risk and branding.

As I reflected on my own journey, I laid out my insights on the synergy between risk-taking and personal branding. We’ll explore how embracing risks can set the stage for you to craft an authentic and compelling brand story.

From daring to step into the unknown to the rewards of staying true to yourself, this episode is turning challenges into stepping stones toward brand greatness. So, fasten your seatbelts as we unravel the power of embracing risk to build an unshakable brand identity.

What is it about being FIRST?

Are you ready to take the leap and be the first? It’s a question I’ve often asked myself throughout my journey, and I invite you to ponder it too. There’s something exhilarating about venturing into uncharted territory, about embracing the unfamiliar and stepping outside our comfort zones. 

✨”There is nothing to fear, there is no one to compete with, and there is nothing to fail, only to gain.“💫

For me, it’s all about embracing the excitement of something new. I thrive on adventure and the curiosity to explore uncharted paths. There will always be someone who goes first, and why shouldn’t it be us? There’s no room for fear or comparison when we realize there’s nothing to fear at all. Who’s here to judge us? The only person we need to live up to is ourselves. As a creative soul, I’ve always found a way to navigate through challenges. What is there to lose when the possibilities for growth and success are infinite?

It is exciting, adventurous, and fun. It is a remarkable opportunity to tap into our inner power and unleash our very best selves.

The Biggest Risks: Defining and Conquering Them

Risks come in various forms, and it’s important to define what they truly mean to us. It’s not just about putting something at stake, but also considering the potential consequences and impact on different aspects of our lives. Some risks may seem significant, while others may appear minor, but oftentimes, we create a narrative around risks that are not truly risky. It’s almost like a form of procrastination, using perceived risk as a means to prevent ourselves from taking action.

Throughout my journey, I’ve taken leaps that many would consider daring. Leaving my home country at 19 with just two suitcases and an uncertain future was a risk that opened up a world of possibilities. Transitioning from a secure corporate job to pursue my true passion involved risks and skepticism from others. Even smaller decisions made during my time as a flight attendant carried their own risks, which I only fully realized in retrospect. But every time, my heart led the way, and I learned that risky decisions driven by intuition are rarely wrong.

Lessons Learned: The Rewards of Embracing Risk

What did I learn from these experiences? I discovered that there is so much more to life when we step out of our comfort zones and embark on journeys into the unknown. Each risk I took led to exponential personal growth, opening doors to levels of achievement and fulfillment I never thought possible. Life rewards us when we show the courage to explore beyond our comfort zones, even if it takes time for those rewards to manifest. As Dan Sullivan beautifully puts it, “10x is easier than 2x.” When we adopt a growth mindset and embrace challenges, we thrive even during the most trying times.

How does risk-taking play a role in branding?

What an interesting question, isn’t it? It plays a huge role! But what if we neglect it?

As a branding strategist, educator, mentor, and coach, I’ve come to understand the profound role risk-taking plays in personal branding. We all have a personal brand, whether we are aware of it or not. Our actions, style, and values shape the perception others have of us. By consciously crafting our personal brand, we take control of the narrative and how we present ourselves to the world. It’s an intentional act of differentiation and authenticity. If we don’t take the reins, others will brand us according to their own perceptions, which may not align with our true essence.

✨”It’s hard to play a role that is not yours.”💫

Taking risks is a fundamental aspect of staying true to ourselves. It means being vulnerable, embracing our uniqueness, and unapologetically living out our values. It’s a process, particularly for those of us who fall into the ambivert category, navigating between introversion and extroversion. But true boldness comes from authenticity, from owning who we are and what we stand for. Just as we express our personal brand visually, we must also embody it in our tone of voice, actions, and interactions.

In Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Risk

As I reflect on the interview with Karen Ann Bulluck, I am reminded of the importance of embracing the power of risk in our personal branding journey. By daring to be the first, by taking calculated risks, and by staying true to ourselves, we unlock incredible opportunities for growth and fulfillment. It’s time to shed the fear of judgment and embrace the excitement of the unknown. Remember, you are the author of your own narrative. Choose to brand yourself authentically and intentionally, and watch as the world responds to your unique story.

✨”You permanently project yourself to the world in everything you are doing, in every interaction that you are having with the people around you, right? And by doing so, you always tell a story.”💫

By being truly aware of who we are and how we want to project ourselves to the world, we seize the power to shape our narrative, amplify our impact, and forge meaningful connections.

👉 So, in this sense, it is a risk not worth taking when our brand has the potential to propel us toward unparalleled success.

In my opinion, if we embrace our uniqueness and fearlessly be ourselves, we have the potential to create extraordinary impact and inspire others to do the same.

✨”Either you brand yourself or others brand you! – and you might not like it.“💫

Massive gratitude to my dear friend Karen for being an incredible host and providing this platform for us to share our stories. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my journey. You are truly extraordinary!

Remember, my brave friends, when we take risks and embrace the unknown, we can only emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Let’s make our mark and conquer the world with our courage and authenticity!

✨”When I didn’t dare to take the risk I used gratitude to justify my decision and actually lowered my standards by doing so.“💫

So, my dear audience, I ask you: Why not be the first? What is holding you back from embracing the risks that can elevate your personal brand to new heights? Take a moment to reflect and start your own journey of courageous self-expression. Let’s step into the unknown together, armed with the knowledge that we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

📹 Watch us Live

Karen Ann Bulluck is a risk-taking coach, speaker, author, and founder of DARING TO TRANSCEND. She partners with women leaders to push beyond limits in their leadership, career, and lives so that they can make an extraordinary impact. Karen was the first woman promoted to Executive Vice President at AM Best Company. Her career was marked by taking the risks to make many cross-disciplinary changes and have an impact on a wide variety of people and processes. Karen is an engaging and inspiring speaker and the author of the bestselling novel, Discovering Power: Book 1 of The Ascending Ladders Series. Book 2 of the series, Pursuing Truth, will be released on Sept. 28, 2023. She is also a contributing author to three international bestselling anthologies.

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