Do you know who you are?

Introduction

The path to pursuing your dreams is a journey. There are highs and lows, victories and trials, wins and learnings (maybe even some losses), but the reward is when you stay steadfast knowing you will get there. With that said, when embarking on this journey (even before you get started), it’s imperative to know who you are. Because when you know who you are, that will help determine what you will and will not stand for.

Let’s think about it. Pursuing your dreams, following your passions is a big deal. And when you finally get the opportunity to do so, you’ve got to stay steadfast. There might be opportunities that arise - that on the surface - seems like an opportunity you shouldn’t pass up. However, when zooming into the fine print, the opportunity really doesn’t align with the core of who you are and won’t be good for you in the long run. Though it may be a compelling situation, when you know who you are, you’ll be able to take a bird's eye view of the opportunity and properly assess it. Sometimes the most important decisions you make are the ones you don’t take. 

Stay grounded in who you are on the journey to pursuing your dreams. 

Motivational Quote

She’s Brave

Joanna Griffiths recently announced Essity, an international health and hygiene brand, acquired her company Knix for 80% with shares being worth $320 million. Knix is an intimate apparel brand on a mission to inspire all people at every age to live unapologetically free, making its mark as the leader in leakproof underwear. 

While Knix was getting up and running, Joanna Griffiths led the scale of the company through fundraising and other external investors. Knix has built a wonderful community and has over 2 million customers! I wanted to highlight a particular story Joanna brought up via her Instagram.

She started off her caption reflecting on previous comments she received about “being too niche” despite her product being needed from half the population. She also mentioned that because she chose to have real customers featured in her marketing campaign, certain investors told her it “wasn’t very attractive and should consider switching strategies”. Yeah, crazy, right? 

And to top it off, after staying away from Silicon Valley for some years because of her negative experiences, while raising a Series B round pregnant with twins, she faced maternal discrimination. She recalled how certain investors, despite having built a strong business and brand with great traction, commented that “‘no one wants to be the last money in before she goes and has twins’ while another expressed fears that I would ‘take the money and run’”.

Incredulous. I know.

Despite these difficulties and mean comments, she went on to successfully raise a Series B round for her company. This goes to show that as a woman, you can be really successful and still face backlash, criticism and even discrimination. However, this is not to discourage you, but to shine light that women are strong and resilient.

Joanna Griffiths is brave. She’s so brave because: 1) It’s not easy founding a company 2) It’s not easy raising money in SV 3) It’s not easy being pregnant and a mother.

But while doing and being all of those things (and more), she found a way to persevere. She was determined to keep going and not let someone’s low opinion of her (which really is just a true reflection of the person spewing those words) tarnish her work or stop her from accomplishing her mission.

She set a precedent for so many women out there.

She concluded her Instagram post expressing that “I hope this is a record I hold for a very short period of time, and can’t wait to cheer on whomever holds it next”. 

If she did it, so can you. 

Chief Dream Aim

What’s your Chief Dream Aim? What’s that one dream you’ve been wanting to accomplish for so long?

Maybe you’re like me and have tons of dreams. For the longest, it was hard for me to choose just one thing I was okay with pursuing.

But I finally figured it out because my why was strong enough.

I want you to choose just one dream. Your Chief Dream Aim. And pursue it.

You may be thinking, “Does that mean I have to give up on my other dreams?” Of course not!

However, when you have a definite focus and you’ve got your mind locked on a specific target, you’re more likely to follow-through and see your dream to completion versus if you had multiple targets.

Not only will this propel you, but seeing your one dream come to fruition, will open the door for the rest of your dreams to come true.

Stay focused. Stay true to your dream. Stay loyal to the pursuit of your passion.

This will pay off for you. Greatly.

Affirmation

I believe that by choosing a direct focus, I am allowing myself room to grow, opportunity to build something amazing and the space to discover my true why.

While I may encounter some challenges, I will not take them to heart. Instead, I will learn from them and they will help shape me into a better me.

My dreams are coming true because I have decided to take action upon seeing my dream in imagination, realized.

I am more than enough to successfully embark on this journey. The people, places, events and opportunities will present themselves to me as needed and desired along the way.

Being brave doesn’t mean I’ll always feel strong. Instead, being brave means embracing my weaknesses and vulnerabilities and harnessing them into my true inner strength.

Founder’s Feature

Showing up as you truly are and putting yourself out there can come with unexpected responses from some unexpected people. I’m learning that just because you’re the one pursuing your dreams doesn’t mean people will feel the same way that you do about your dream.

You’re doing something great. You finally went for it. But somehow, someone chooses to criticize your work or pass judgment. Then, there will be people who just won’t see the vision. That’s okay.

I’m learning that not everyone will get it. Even though you want them to. However, there’s power in a community of like-minded individuals. And that’s one of the main reasons I started BRAVELY.

I desired to be a part of a community that embraced self-development, welcomed wellness while choosing to embrace their flaws and insecurities in the pursuit of their passions.

So, I’m incredibly grateful for each one of you who have chosen to subscribe to this newsletter. I’m grateful that you’re willing to be apart of a community that’s just getting started. You get it.

There will be times on your journey where some folks just won’t understand. I want you to smile and stay steadfast. Your people will find you. Just as you have found me and I, you.

Together, we will continue to make #BRAVEMOVES.

You can do anything,

Ayanna

#BRAVEMOVES Challenge

If you haven’t noticed, the BRAVE MOVES newsletter got an exciting update and makeover. And because you’re already apart of the fam, you may not have realized, we added a new landing page to our website for all of our new subscribers.

Upon arrival, all of our new fam members will receive our BRAVE MOVES Self-Care workbook (which is pretty darn helpful imo!).

So, for this week’s challenge, I’d love for you to take a look through the workbook and do some of the exercises. When you do, let us know! Feedback is our jammy jam.

You can download it here :)

BRAVE SUPPORT

You’ve got a problem? We have a solution! We’re so happy to announce the first iteration of our advice chatline. Each week, a member of our community will ask us a question in regards to pursuing their dreams or becoming better and braver, and a member of our team will answer the question with insightful advice, guidance and suggestions. We want to continue our support in helping you make your dreams come true. We got you, girl. So, ask away. Want to be anonymous? Just let us know when you ask your question.

Send all questions to [email protected] with the subject line: BRAVE SUPPORT

Fun Updates

I don’t think our fun updates needed to be announced this week. As mentioned above, the BRAVE MOVES newsletter is looking pretty good on this new platform and we’ve added some goodies (like BRAVE SUPPORT and our workbook!). 

If you have any fun updates you’d like to share. For example, if you’ve made a brave move this week, started a new creative endeavor or have a story you’d like to share on how you’ve become better and braver recently, let us know! You should be applauded for your bravery!

Wrap-Up

Remember, when you know who you are, you know where you’re going. Challenges may come. But they also go. You are braver than you think you are. You have what it takes to succeed. You are becoming more of who you desire to be. Walk in your truth. And don’t compromise who you are just because someone doesn’t like who they are. You are brave so I know you’ll make some brave moves this week.

Cheers!

The BRAVELY Team