Best practices. The golden rule. The safe bet. The tried-and-true path to success. We cling to them because they promise certainty. But they can also be the very thing that holds us back. Behind every groundbreaking idea, there was once a moment of defiance - someone daring to step outside the lines and risk failure for the chance to create something extraordinary.

The problem with best practices? They are born from the past. They tell us what worked before, not what could work now. When we rely on them too heavily, we trade curiosity for caution, creativity for comfort. We start playing the game to avoid losing instead of playing to win.

Innovation is messy. It’s uncomfortable. And it often looks like a bad idea at first. But it’s also where magic happens. Bold campaigns, fresh concepts, and industry disruptions never come from coloring inside the lines. Think about the brands that captured your attention - Apple, Airbnb, Dollar Shave Club. None of them followed a blueprint. They created their own.

Taking risks doesn’t mean throwing strategy out the window. It means testing boundaries with intention. It’s launching an unexpected campaign, experimenting with a new platform, or flipping your messaging upside down then listening, learning, and adjusting. Safe moves might keep you afloat, but bold moves are what help you soar.

So, here’s your permission slip: Challenge the norm. Test your wildest ideas. Trust your instincts. And if you fail? Good. That means you’re trying something new.

Because the greatest risk is not taking one at all.

Stay Curious Friends!

Aileen

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Make some bold moves!

Launch that thing before you are 100% ready! I once heard that the last 20% of what you are building is never noticed and won’t payoff, so launch when you are 80% there. The big benefit? You will learn quicker and pivot better.

Give your content away for FREE! Yes free, that’s the way to build trust and solid footing for a long-term relationship. Once trust is developed, folks will be willing to pay or give you their email address.

Lead with Personality, not Perfection. This is a no brainer! When you lead with who you are - your quirks, your voice, your hot takes - you stop trying to fit into a mold and start building a brand that fits you. And guess what? That’s when your people find you. The ones who get you. The ones who buy from you. The ones who stick around.