Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies. In this episode, I'm tackling authenticity in business—no filters, no perfect personas, just real talk about being yourself and thriving because of it.

I'll be sharing:

• My personal journey from background player to embracing visibility
• Why hiding your quirks is holding your business back
• How authenticity actually helps you stand out in an oversaturated market
• The surprising business benefits of embracing your "weirdness"

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why perfection is overrated and authenticity sells
• How childhood experiences can impact your business confidence
• Why your unique traits are your best business assets
• The power of repelling the wrong clients to attract the right ones
• Why authenticity leads to deeper client relationships

Key Stories & Examples

• My transformative trip to NOLA with my bestie that changed my perspective
• Growing up in a small town and dealing with bullying
• How embracing my quirks led to unexpected business success
• The moment I decided to stop shrinking myself to fit others' expectations

Tiny Stepper of the Day Take 10 minutes to:

1. Write down three things that make you weird or unique (hobby, personality trait, or value)
2. Brainstorm one way to incorporate each into your business
3. Choose one to implement this week in your content, branding, or client experience

Links and Resources Mentioned

• Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Visit TheMainStage.ca
• Want the unfiltered behind-the-scenes tea about running a business? Follow me on Threads at @TheMainStage.ca