Today’s episode of the podcast is an interview with Jennifer Kem who is a branding and marketing expert who gets entrepreneurs seen, heard, and paid – all for being themselves. We talk all about doing what you love, being human in business and how you can make your brand stand out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS COVERED IN THE PODCAST
- Trust what you’re good at
- Three types of brands: Personal, Offer and Company
- The power of the personal brand is bigger than ever because it is a human!
- What sets us apart is our ability to be human and show humanity
- You are providing a service by telling others your story
- Unique Messaging model – 6 brand differentiators: Values, Architype, Stories, Unique Solution Expertise, Irresistible Offer and Rich Niche.
- Values – If you know your values, you make better business and life decisions. Instead of being driven by values instead of results.
- Architype – This gives you insight into who you are so you can more confidently express what your company is and what you stand for.
- Stories – You can communicate your authority story and approachability story. Authority ensures you are seen as an expert and approachability shows you are human and see themselves in your story!
- Unique Solution Expertise – The case for someone choosing your solution for themselves. They are not buying your product or service, they are buying your used case and the results you create with that used case.
- Irresistible Offer – You have to have something people want to buy!
- Rich Niche – You need to be in a niche where people actually want what you are offering.
- Marketing is the phycology of consumption
THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO REMEMBER ABOVE ALL ELSE…
Don’t go looking for customers/clients in the wrong places!
HIGHLIGHTS YOU SIMPLY CAN’T MISS
- How Jennifer became a branding and marketing expert for entrepreneurs
- Doing what you love and loving what you do
- 6 ways to make your brand stand out
CHECK JENNIFER OUT:
Transcript
Teresa: Hello and welcome to this week's episode of the podcast. How are you doing? Did you catch last week's episode? If not, pause this, go back and listen to it is a really good one. It was a behind the scenes of the types of questions I get asked at a coaching call and it was a very authentic and I guess a little bit vulnerable, sort of open up into my world.
Teresa: Just because my members who are on that call or who in the clips. I know them really well. I make a real effort to get to know my members, to get to understand what their businesses are, regardless of how many members I've got. If you're sat on a call with me or your coming on a Q and A with me, then I want to know as much as I can get to know you to make sure I give you the right information or advice or strategy.
Teresa: So like I said, it was a little bit kind of vulnerable, but it was great. It was really, really good. And if you caught the episode and you liked the idea of joining me for a coaching call or coming on and having a Q and A with me, then do, please check out the club at teresaheathwareing.com/theclub.
Teresa: Okay. This week we have a really good interview for you. So I was listening to Rachel Rogers' podcast and Jennifer Kem was one of the guests. And as you'll hear me say to her at the beginning of this interview, the interview was one of those ones that you're like, oh, that's so good. Oh, that's so good.
Teresa: Oh, that's a good. And like, I actually physically took things away, wrote them down, like put some things into action. Did her lead magnet and all that jazz. And it was really, really good, but I loved her story. There was just so much to the interview. So I reached out and very kindly, she agreed to come on the podcast, which is awesome.
Teresa: So in this interview, we talk about loads of different things. She tells about her story, which is fascinating in terms of like some of the early businesses that she had. We then talk about branding and micro branding and how we stand out in a very busy world where anyone can go online. We talk about how we can create a brand that represents us.
Teresa: Reflects us and attracts the right people. But she was so good. Fun to talk to. It's a really good interview and I know you're going to love it. So without further ado here is the lovely Jen. So I am very excited to welcome to the podcast today Jennifer Kem. Jen, how are you doing?
Jennifer: Uh, I'm so excited to be here, Teresa. Thanks for having me on.
Teresa: My pleasure. I was listening to Rachel Rogers' podcast from hello seven. And she had you on and oh, my word, I just loved it. Like the episode was so good. Your stories are amazing. And so many good points from the podcast, which sometimes like focus a great to listen to, but you don't always walk away with something that you think I need to do that that needs to change. And it was brilliant. So I knew I just had to have you on. I knew my audience would love you.
Jennifer: That's great.
Teresa: We always start the same way by you sharing with us, how you got to do what you do today.
Jennifer: Now that's a long winding yarn, so I'll try to give the summary, but with enough juice to get you all enough to help you see where I've been.
I, again, my name is Jennifer Kem and most people call me Jen Kem. So either way I'll respond, but if you call me Jennifer, I'll think we're not friends yet. So I hope you'll call me, Jen. And I have been doing entrepreneurship and running my own company, actually chloral companies for over 15 years. In fact, December 1st, 2021 is my 15 year business anniversary.
Jennifer: And I didn't start as an entrepreneur. In fact, I didn't have any idea. I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I spent almost the same amount of time, uh, as a marketing executive for big companies. In fact, my last job was a VP of marketing for the west coast, for Verizon, which is a fortune 50 company.
Jennifer: And part of the reason I left. It's a big reason I left actually it's the only reason I left is because I was passed up for promotion that I had been promised. And at that time being a mother to two young daughters and sacrificing a lot to climb the corporate ladder and then be told that my job was going to be given to my white male counterpart, who, by the way, I always tell people I have nothing against Nick.
Jennifer: His name is Nick and he's happy for me to name him. It wasn't his fault that he got promoted. It was the system. And I realized that the system wasn't set up for somebody who looked like me, who was me to be treated in a, in a, just an equitable way. And so I needed to make a decision to either chart my own path and creepy autonomy that I wanted, especially for the future I wanted to have, especially for the feature I wanted to have with my kids, or stay within the same system and eventually become a CMO and then maybe a CEO of a high-tech company, but it was a big crossroads for me.
Jennifer: And this was again, 15 years ago to at the time of this recording yesterday, it was my 15 year business anniversary. And. And I don't regret a damn thing. Like I like to tell people I'm not a spring chicken, I'm a seasoned chicken. Uh, and because my background in corporate, in marketing and bringing brands to market, I was able to translate that to entrepreneurs because I feel like entrepreneurs, especially women don't have the same tools that big businesses have, obviously the resources.
Jennifer: But part of that is I, I like to remind people that every single brand and big business that we admire and we purchase from today started where we did in, you know, in a garage, across a dining room table, at a restaurant, talking a friend's about their big dreams and desires to change something that didn't work in their lives.
Jennifer: And it's just so happens that Sarah Blakely or Steve Jobs or Elon Musk, they decided to bring it to another level. They decided that they wanted to create something really big. I think for most of the people probably listened to your podcast. That may not be the vision you have, which is absolutely brilliant.
Jennifer: That's awesome. Maybe you're more interested in building something more of a lifestyle, AKA or freedom-based type of business. But that's perfect. That's the, that's the that's, that's good. It's knowing that that is the post important part. And for me, I think what's missing in this industry is that the same basics and foundations that apply to big corporations actually do apply to entrepreneurs.
Jennifer: But we're so angry or resentful of the man or the system that we forget that the same business rules apply and that's, what's made those brands so successful. And so many of the brands, frankly, that I've been able to advise in the entrepreneur space is the same thing that I advise them to. So back to your first question, like where do I come from?
Jennifer: Ultimately, I came from the corporate world. I translated that to make it easy for entrepreneurs to access the same. And I have three kids. I have a 25 year old now. She's a grown woman, a 21 year old and a seven year old. And so I I'm busy and live in the San Francisco bay area to me is what I do. So that's a little bit about me.
Teresa: No, that's awesome. And I think you're right. I think because my background is marketing. I came from corporate, I worked at Land Rover and worked the big brands and even I when I came into my own world, even I forgot that some of those things still stand like how important it is to look at the brands and go into it.
Teresa: And I think often when people are starting, I think they just think it's just not for them. Isn't it? It's, it's only for the big brands. It's only for those people that need to consider and take that much interest in creating a brand. And so how did you, well, what was the first role you did when you left the corporate job? What did you end up doing immediately?
Jennifer: Well, the funny thing is, is that we'll get long winding guide, but I made a mistake, but also I don't believe in mistakes. I thought in order to be an entrepreneur, I needed to do something radically different than what I was doing in the corporate world in order for me to be a bonafide legitimate entrepreneur.
Jennifer: And that just goes to show that even as a corporate executive who earned $400,000 a year and was known as a pretty smart person, uh, and, and led huge initiatives that as an entrepreneur, again, I liked what you said. You almost forget, like you think you have to be this completely different thing in order to be successful.
Jennifer: And I learned that that's not true. So to answer your question directly, I started a brick and mortar business and in underwear, so women's underwear. And the reason for that is because one of my gifts is I could smell the money. And the reason I can smell the money in a brand or a business is because I know where the market need something and I know how to create something that will fill that need.
Jennifer: And that's what I did in the corporate world. So what I noticed, I was traveling to Dallas from Hawaii because my base was in Hawaii. So not a bad deal. Right. I lived in Hawaii, but I was, I was traveling to Dallas where Verizon's corporate headquarters were like every three to four weeks, which was brutal, brutal.
Jennifer: It's like a seven hour flight. And I've young girls at the time, young daughters. And anyway, Every time I would fly back to Hawaii every three to four weeks, I would notice that the women on the plane would exit the plane and have a carry-on that looked like a pink bag. And it said, Victoria, secret on the side of it.
Jennifer: And I realize you had to get on a plane to get underwear. If you lived in Hawaii. Because the only place you could buy underwear was Walmart, which I don't buy underwear at Walmart. I know about you, but that's just also I don't want it to go buy underwear. And I immediately said, oh gosh, if I want to leave my job, I need to pick something that I know will make money.
Jennifer: And I didn't have any background in retail or underwear, except for the fact that I love to shop at, I wore underwear, but I knew what my gifts were. And I said, I can turn this into a brand and bring it to market. And that's what I did. I, I made a nine month plan to exit my job. I took half of my paycheck and I re mortgage my house and I started an underwear company.
Jennifer: And because I knew, I know it's crazy. So. I got to tell you, Teresa, I wasn't interested in making it a global brand. I just thought, okay. I can, if I can establish a multi-site operation here locally, that's enough money and, and, and autonomy for me. Right. And what happened was because I am so good. I have a super sniffer around the money just started, like get crazy.
Jennifer: I opened their first shop within 24 hours everything the shop was stripped down to its bare bone was I'd sold out everything. So I had to figure out, I know wild, right? And I, I realized, oh my gosh, I gotta get good at operations because I was always good at growing the brand. But in terms of the backend, that wasn't a strong thing for me.
Jennifer: I was at a team and we put get an entrepreneur, you don't have a team, right. When you first start out, you know, the corporate world, that's one of the luxury, actually. I think people don't, uh, they don't appreciate it until it's gone right. To have a team around you to support them things done. And so I had to quickly figure out, not just like how to manage inventory, how to order things ahead of time, how to figure out like 90 day cash flows, things like that.
Jennifer: And so let's just fast forward, 18 months into the business of the underwear business. I had turned it already into a $10 million business.
Teresa: Oh my words! Like I know, can you. Like leaving corporate and starting a business is one thing, starting a business where it's product and it's bricks and mortar that just that see, that feels like a real business to me.
Teresa: And I feel like what I do a bit like a bit of a pretend business, but to turn it that speed, that amount of money, like, will you go in, was there a case of I know I can make this work. And when you got to that point, you were like, I knew I could, and I did it? Or was there a point when you got to him was like, what on earth just happened? And how the hell am I here?
Jennifer: It was the latter. It was the latter. It was exactly what you said. It was more like, I just kept addressing what needs to be get done. And I kept knowing that I was going to screw it up, but I was already committed. I think that once you commit. If you're really committed, momentum will pull you forward.
Jennifer: Even if you're not ready. In fact, none of us are ever ready for anything. And what I learned was, oh shit, I can, yeah, I can actually do this. I didn't feel proud of it on I was more freaked out daily and I felt like, honestly, my nervous system was activated in a way that helps support what had to get done.
Jennifer: But when I finally took a pause and a breath, 18 months later, and now I had multiple stores, I was opening and the media was calling me to under styler. I was getting all of this. Uh, to be honest with you, I did get like, wow, I can't believe this is happening. And I really believe that. And I want to, it's funny.
Jennifer: Cause I knew I could do it. Let's put it that way because of my background. I didn't expect for it to not just happen so quickly, but also for it to teach me so much about leadership of myself. Teach me about how to get humble around what I didn't know and how to go ask for it quicker because the business required me to not be scared to ask for support.
Jennifer: So in that way, I feel grateful of the speed that happened, but I also want to acknowledge which I can now I couldn't at the time, but I came to acknowledge now that I had the skills to do this. And I think that's a big problem today in entrepreneurship. As I'm with you now, I'd actually, don't run brick and mortar anymore.
Jennifer: I'm with you. I'm in the vaporware business I call it like we sell vaporware services, teaching a business, which has a high value, but it doesn't have as much tangibility obviously as that business. But it, but I will say. I'm so glad that I got my feet completely wet in the tangibleness, because it allows me now to in be intangible business, just structure my value even more.
Jennifer: And I think that these are all benefits of doing things you didn't expect, like you learn so much from the things you shouldn't do. And I, I gotta say like, looking back, would I ever start another brick and mortar business again? Hell no. Oh my God. It's so labor intensive it's so you're dealing with a lot of frankly like staff that are, don't care as much because it's retail.
Jennifer: So you have to really develop a culture around, you know, what, what is expected, uh, in servicing clientele, especially with something so intimate, like intimates, you know, like, um, and we had whacked that stories Teresa. Oh gosh. Of the people who come into story, including male clients, that it was interesting.
Jennifer: Let's put it that way. Um, and, and I will say like but without that experience, I wouldn't be so successful in the services world because it allowed me to understand what I didn't want to do anymore. It helped me understand how you could actually make and scale money in a different way. And it made me appreciate my skills from the corporate world a lot more. So that that all worked out, but it wasn't easy in any way, shape or form.
Jennifer: I don't want anybody who's listening right now to think, oh my God, She's so amazing. She's such an outlier. You're right. I am an outlier. Most people don't have the success out of the gate that I had, but it was spike. It was because without mindfully knowing it, Teresa. They didn't understand that there are reason I was so successful was because I actually was using the skills from my corporate job, but I didn't really put two and two together like that.
Jennifer: I thought I was supposed to struggle harder, but where I struggled was the backend. I didn't struggle at the scope I was good at. And I think if people trusted what they were good at. Out of the gate for, they would have faster monetary success that they could turn that into something different. And so I think that's one of the biggest gaps in the current online industry, especially right now.
Teresa: Yeah. And that's such a good point, Jen, in terms of like leading on to where you are and what you do today and where you are as you help support people, find that thing that they love and they're brilliant at and they enjoy but make money from it. Because I think there is a history of, you know, especially women doing, creating businesses that they love and doing things, but the money-making aspect can be a little bit tricky. So explain to us how, how that works in your world, what you do from that point of view.
Jennifer: Yeah. I really think that, you know, What's so interesting is that just 10 years ago, that's very recent, you know, up until 10 years ago, it was really important for you to build both a product and a company. And those were those things that made consumers say “They're successful that is company successful. That's a brand that I'm loyal to.” And with the advent of social media, and it's not going away, it's only going to expand, especially in the metaverse now.
Teresa: Um, whatever that is.
Jennifer: Which I'm laughing at, whatever that is, that a personal brand is absolutely critical now.
Jennifer: Cause it's interesting. Right? If you think about it again, I mentioned at the top of this interview, Well, this conversation that like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Sara Blakely, Oprah. These are personalities that are CEOs of their company. And now we have the opportunity to become what I call micro brands, like micro brands are dominating the metaverse, if you will. Like you can literally with a wifi connection and your phone start a business.
Jennifer: Right. Get people like tell your stories and offer value in the form of a service or a product or goal actually easier than you ever could before. And that's also a problem because so many people can do it what the point of differentiation is critical factor. And for us, you know, I, over the 15 years that I've been in business and also coming from my corporate background, I developed a method called the master brand method that helps me differentiate how your personal, your offer at your company brand are different and allow you to establish that audience base that's back to like smelling the money, being, making you, able to smell the own money in your industry is kind of the thing that we do. And so just to kind of review that there are three types of brands. There are personal brands, offer brands and company brands and in today's world and falling forward.
Jennifer: Even if I think you listened to this podcast interview 10 years from now, I think it will still be true. Is that the power of the personal brand is bigger than ever. And the reason is, is because the personal brand is a human, you know, there are three things that aren't going to ever change going forward, automation, artificial information and Asians. Really mean when I say Asians and what I mean by that is outsourcing, right? Yeah. Those are the three A's that are going to be existing, no matter what. And I'm Asian by the way. So I can say that. Okay. I'm Filipino.
Jennifer: So I, we're what setting us apart is our ability to create experiences and be human. Especially at post pandemic again, at the time of this interview, you know, we're, we're still in the pandemic two years, but what sets people apart is that to show their humanity, to show their, their, uh, that they are real humans because also in a world of deep fakes and manufactured authority and all the things that have created these crappy ass terms, I call them like imposter syndrome.
Jennifer: It drives me bananas. Like I'm like, you know, 10 years ago, women didn't it name imposter syndrome as the thing that's keeping them though, like leading, but imposter syndrome is a manufactured idea to keep us thinking that we can't make it happen. That's like a, to me that's called that's artificial intelligence, imposter syndrome.
Teresa: Like a self fulfilling prophecy, isn't it? I guess. You know, we give it a name. We can call it something we can say we've got it. Like, yeah. So what sort of interesting Jen, I think at the beginning when you first stop, because I have to say, I really struggled with saying I was a personal brand.
Teresa: It makes me feel like I'm bigging myself up. But I think what happens at the beginning, especially for women is, is that they they're perhaps a little nervous to come out and go, this is who I am, and this is what I stand for. This is what I like. And this is what I don't like. And this is, because you can't, as far as I'm aware, and please tell me if I'm wrong, but your personal brand has got to come from you.
Teresa: Your authenticity and who you are and what you portrayed to the world. And I think in the early days, I think we're a bit scared to do that. Do you think?
Jennifer: I absolutely agree. I mean, I'm still scared to do it. I think that's what I want people to understand that I don't think you ever stopped being scared.
Jennifer: I think that if you stop being scared, you're a narcissist or sociopath like you've bought into the social media narcissism. I think that the more you remember that you are truly a red blooded human being. Has feelings has emotions, but also knows how to strategically tell stories that, speak to the audience that you want to invite into your world.
Jennifer: If you focus on that, I, you think of yourself as a service based storyteller. Like that you're actually providing a service by sharing a real story about yourself that will help people see that they could do it too, or they have the opportunity to change their life using your service or product, because it's not just for services, coaching, consulting, teaching.
Jennifer: It's not just for those that, that, that career path. It's, it's also for like if you're selling products now, micro branding, Instagram, like whether it's luggage or a new cosmetic, or you have to tell the story of why they should have that new cosmetic, they should purchase that new cosmetic, or they should buy a new piece of luggage, like be away brand.
Jennifer: What they've been able to do is so genius, like nobody ever thought of luggage as a big deal, you know, there was one brand. And then to me was the high end brand. And you awake, came in and said, no, we can simplify luggage, just like Uber simplified the taxi service. It's like these, your opportunity to tell a story that changes people's perception of something that's not working like Uber. Uber was like, why do we have to depend on just taxis?
Jennifer: Why can't we. Uh, get more people to earn income using their own cars. They already own cars. Why can't we mobilize that? It's that type of, if you focus more on that shift, in that transformation for the problem that you see in the industry that you're, you're, you're wanting to be known for, instead of worrying so much about “Will they like me?” Because you know, the more you grow people aren't going to like you, that's the truth. I've learned that. I mean, it's sucks. It doesn't feel good, but it's what it is. There's people that hate apple. There's people that hate Spanx people who hate what Elon Musk is up to. If I'm going to tell you, I don't think it's that they don't care that people don't like them.
Jennifer: I think they still care because they're human beings, but they've decided that what they are shifting and changing is more important. A little bit more important, not a lot more important, but a little bit more important than our fear of showing up and being scared that people won't like us just a little bit more.
Teresa: And do you think that for me, I think what's happened with me is I've, I'm coming more into myself. I'm projecting more of who I am and I'm comfortable with the fact that people were not, everyone will like me and I take it that, I take it from a place of that's okay. And like you said, I want to be light, but if I show up honestly, and authentically and you go, you're not my cup of tea, then I'm not your cup of tea and that's absolutely fine, but I think it's taken some time to get to that point, I think.
Teresa: And I've had people write things about me and I've had people say things and you know, and it's not nice, it sucks, it's awful, but I think it gets to the point where you just go. Do you know what I can serve lots of people and help lots of people. And am I really going to let those handful of people that I'm sure there's way more than a handful of people don't like me, but that might say something, stop them from showing up and doing my thing.
Teresa: And so Jen what I wanted to ask. Obviously as, as personal brands, as people showing up and doing the thing they love, I had a corporate lifetime in marketing. I have a degree in marketing. It's totally my thing. And that's now what I help people with. And then as my business has grown and I'm seven years in now.
Teresa: I now you start to expand a bit and I can talk about other aspects of running a business and what it's like, and generally supporting small businesses. But you've already said just that the beauty of the world we're in now is also the curse of it. And the fact of this, anyone can do it. So everyone is doing it. So how do we stand out? How do we show up so that our audience is finding us that we're getting seen by those people?
Jennifer: Yeah, such a great question. Uh, let me give you a insight on how we, we, there are five brand differentiators, basically five things that you can do to really stand out in your brand. And I'm going to go ahead and pull up.
Jennifer: Obviously you can't see it on your side as your listing, but I want to make sure that I cover every single one. We call it the unique messaging model. So it's like, um, uh, but it's something that we, we work through with not just clients, but with people who are struggling to differentiate themselves. And so there were only five.
Jennifer: I call it five plus one things that people can do to stand out and they are your values, your archetype, your stories, your unique solution expertise, irresistible offers. And number six is your rich niche. So basically when I said up at the top of this conversation around how I knew you, that there was a group of women, AKA 50% of the people who live in Hawaii only that didn't have a place to buy underwear.
Jennifer: I already knew I have enough people to make a successful business happen. So let's kind of, if I can go through very quickly. So your values, now there's a lot of people talk about values and since you came from corporate and you know that one of the things that companies talk about are their brand values.
Jennifer: And I think it's become so commoditized that people have lost sight of what it really means. In fact, I believe that me, living my values as a leader has made me extremely successful. And I believe that if you're listening to this interview right now, if you know your values, you would make better business decisions and you could make better decisions.
Jennifer: You know, since you've found me at Rachel Rogers podcast, do I love Rachel? You know, she talks about million dollar decisions and forecasts, right? So for me, I called that being values driven. So instead of being driven by results, being driven by your values instead, and that values create results. And so in our company, our five top values are autonomy, justice, generosity, leadership, and legacy.
Jennifer: And they actually mean something to us. We don't make any decisions about the business without filtering through those values. And if you do that consistently in your company, even if you're a company of one. Yeah. Okay. You will start to make better decisions about where you place your time, your energy and your money, including where you invest your money in advice, in team, in tools, you know, in where you spend your time and especially where you expend your energy. So that's values. And I think that, you know, that's what makes our company different is we really center the strategy of the company around being values driven. Okay. So that's the first thing. The next thing is your archetype influence mix.
Jennifer: We call it your aim. When I was in the corporate world, my first job in marketing was at Ogilvy, which is the biggest advertising agency in the world. David Ogilvy. He's the godfather of all marketing and advertising. Right? I was lucky to be a junior copywriter when I was 23 years old. And I can tell you Teresa that really meant that I ran copy the account executives.
Jennifer: I didn't do much writing, unfortunately. But I can be a fly on the wall inside of their advertising meetings. And it was fascinating because really, as you know, as a marketing professional yourself marketing is really the psychology of consumption. That's really what it is. It's studying how people consume things and then putting messages in front of them that will help them decide to consume it.
Jennifer: There's this process developed by social psychologist, Carl Jung called archetypes. And he didn't do it through the lens of business, but advertising and marketing has adapted the archetype idea into a way to establish yourself as a different character in your audience's mind. And we actually have an assessment that we do with our clients, and I learned that back at Ogilvy, but I created my own assessment over the course of the last 15 years that helps people identify what their archetype influence mixes. It's the voice of your brand.
Teresa: And you know what, Jen, so I'm going to put a link to it because I did it and it was great. It was so good. So I've come out as the creator. That was the one that I did. Um, so it was things like, you know, uh, storyteller artists, visionary, pioneer, expression, as your mission on here.
Teresa: Like there was so much good things. So power words, and weirdly I was just starting a rebrand. Um, this couldn't have come at more of a perfect time. So things like vision, creativity, imagination, no linear thought, no non-conformity developed aesthetic. Like it really helped me start to go, do you know what this is me?
Teresa: And I'm not my brand wasn't showing up as I should be. Uh, and so we were just, just about getting through it as in, we're not ready to launch it yet, but finalizing things. So it was great. So I've definitely put a link in because it was really, really helpful.
Jennifer: Oh, it's so exciting. I'm so glad to hear that because that's, I loved what I heard you say just now, is that it helps center you, you know, and really see a mirror of yourself.
Jennifer: And when I say yourself, we were talking about personal brands earlier and people gets “Wait should I grow my offer? Should I grow my, um, you know, my company?” And I always say, you need to get to know yourself first because you are the founder. Apple is what it is today because Steve Jobs knew who he was, whether you liked him or not, does it matter?
Teresa: He knew it.
Jennifer: It's about that he knew who he was and what his vision was. And when you start to use this work to get so clear on the kind of leadership you want to be seen as not just you as a person, but as a brand. And you're the products that you create. That's when you start out strikes all the archetype assessment, he had few insights into who you are, so that you can work confidently express what your company is, what it stands for.
Jennifer: That's again, linked to your values. So when you put your values and your architect together, it strengthens the confidence that you exude to the audience that you are marketing to. So that's the second piece. The third piece is what we call the story or the experience story sequence. It's called TESS.
Jennifer: And what this means is that you're able to communicate two stories to the audience that you have or your building. And that is the authority story and the approachability story. So your authority stories are the things that make you an authority in your industry. And by the way, it's not just your stories.
It's facts and figures that perhaps are written about the industry you're in. So if any of you are starting out and you're like, oh my gosh, I have no authority stories. I don't even have clients yet. I always say, well, you can do what I call you can brand Jack ethically data in the field. For example, uh, one of the things that we do really well in our companies, we use live events to activate revenue and create brand recognition.
Jennifer: And one of the statistics, that's not my statistic is that the live event. Even during the pandemic, obviously not in person, but when we had to go virtual is a $300 billion industry. Now that's an authority story that I can tell. That's not mine, it's the industry, but it shows that, Hey, if I teach you how to do that and create what we call a million dollar experience, then you have now you've seeded authority because it's not just your authority, it's other authorities. There's this statistic out there. And I think more people aren't doing that. Another example of authority case studies of your clientele. And so those are examples of authority stories but including like, what's your education, you talked about Teresa, you have this marketing background.
Jennifer: You guys heard me tell authority stories Teresa as who I was, you know, I had 15 years in corporate. I had 15 years in entrepreneurship, so I have some experience. Right. And I've said it just by sharing my story when you're listening, some of you might hear that story and go, Ooh, she might be too old to be my teacher.
Jennifer: So let me, you guys might hear that. I'm like, I'm okay with that because. Maybe you, you just like to follow trends and fads. That's cool. But I really believe that the basics are sexy and that's what actually makes long-term success. Now that's the authority story, right? Then there's the approachability stories.
Jennifer: Which are your personal stories technically, those are the one that Teresa you had mentioned people get a little nervous to share, you know? Um, and I say this not all stories are good to tell. It's not that your stories aren't great, but they're not the best to tell. You want to pick your approachability stories that will serve the audience and let them see themselves in your story.
Jennifer: You don't have to vomit on your audience, every dang story of your life. Okay, unless that's part of your brand, some celebrities and influencers, that's part of their brand to just be a hot mess, like, and, and, and it's okay because they're consistently a hot mess and that's the freak, right. But if you have a business like ours, where.
Jennifer: You know, we don't want people to think that we're completely unchanged and it's okay if you are, but it's like, I don't want, you know, I'm more like, I'll tell the stories about how I've two children, that's, that's an approachability. I have three children. I had two children when I started my company.
Jennifer: Now I have a third that came after the fact. I talk about how I am, you know, I'm second married you know, I got a divorce. These help your clients and signal to them, Hey, you're a real human being. You've been through some stuff and then they can see themselves inside of your story, because here's the thing about your story.
Jennifer: No one has them. That's what really sets you apart. No one has your story. People have similar stories, but they don't have yours. Yeah. It's really what makes you different. So it's very important to be able to tell them well, yeah. Okay, brilliant. Okay. So the fourth thing is the unique solution expertise, which is basically we call that the use case.
Jennifer: So unique solution expertise, right? So the case for choosing your solution for themselves, the audience. And so many people aren't working off of a use case. Well, like clearly as people buy your use case and the results you create with your use case, they don't buy your products or your programs. They're not buying your products or programs.
Jennifer: They're buying.
Teresa: That again Jen. So they're buying.
Jennifer: They're buying your use case and the results that your use case solves for them. They're not buying your product or service. So your use case, for example, I'm actually sharing one with you today. My unique message model is a use case for our company. It's why people hire us because I can clearly articulate how these six things will change the way people see you.
Jennifer: Right? And I think a lot of people have not developed a use case. That can communicate their value and show a visual a way for people to see the results they can get from that. Whether you are in the four master niches, which are health, wealth, self, and relationships. If you're in any of those, those are the four you need to be in, could be products or services in any of the four, but you need to be able to communicate how your model or your framework or your method can support the results.
Jennifer: The people that you are talking to can achieve it. And I think a lot of people don't do this well. And so that's an important thing to refine. The next piece is obviously the irresistible offer. So you have to have something people want to buy. And that irresistible offer has to be in their mind what the use case has promised.
Jennifer: So if you're saying, Hey, I have this way of doing things. And this is going to produce results for you. The offer that you make to them needs to fit with that they may be, need to be easily see that the offer you're making supports the use case you've presented. Yeah. Okay. And then finally you need to be in a rich niche, meaning you need to be in a niche that people actually want what you have. If you're trying to sell to people who don't want, what you have, which is another big problem. No one's ever going to spy it. It's my, it's my clear and present lesson for my brick and mortar days. I had a product that people wanted. And so I had to figure everything else out to make that happen because I was like, oh wait, you guys want to buy all this underwear.
Jennifer: Okay, cool. You know, I was one of the, I was the first, a small business to carry Specs in Hawaii and the whole state of Hawaii, I could not keep that product in stock. I will first to carry the hanky panky brand, which I don't know if you all are familiar, but it's to this day, it's the only underwear I wear because it is so freaking good.
Jennifer: So technically I'm an underwear specialist. Like you could, even though I no longer have that business, I know a lot about underwear. And to this day, hanky panky is the brand. I tell every woman you need to wear this, this underwear, it lasts forever. It is amazing. It costs 20 bucks a pair, but it's worth it.
Jennifer: And so my point is, is that I know where the money is and for my, I think for our clients and, and, you know, because you're a marketing expert yourself, I think a lot of people go after niches or they, or they go after markets that cannot bear what they, what they, what they're offering. They can't bear the cost of it or they can't bear, or they don't understand it.
Jennifer: And so we're looking in the wrong, we're looking for love in all the wrong places. I like to say. So if you want to be successful, you need to look for, for your clients in all the right places. So those are the six ways for you to stand out and really be seen as the choice for the audience that you have.
Teresa: Good. So good, Jen, honestly, they're brilliant.
Teresa: And I think as long as you're talking me through this tomorrow, I am holding my first ever in-person event. And I am so excited. I can't even tell you, but what's really funny is I like the finer things in life, Jen. I like, you know, like, so we flew first class, my husband and I to, uh, Nashville and I got into first-class.
Teresa: This is where I belong. It is so me and my husband got in and he was like, oh, this is so awkward. Like he find it really uncomfortable. So I like really nice things. So when I was going to put on an event, it wasn't going to be your average conference speakers. Uh, it, wasn't going to be like in some kind of conference place with dry sandwiches and terrible coffee. So I've hired this boutique hotel in England. We've had, I've hired the entire thing. It's exclusive use. We have got a champagne reception. We've got a beautiful three-course dinner with wine. We've got a photographer coming, doing things I've got, I can say this.
Teresa: Cause by the point this goes out, we've already done it. Cause I've said I'm not telling anybody anything. The hired these like event set designers to create this beautiful sequined balloon wall thing. Like the goodie bags have really lovely quality stuff in it. You know, like there's a bomb in there and I know this sounds like silly just to slip on, but instead of it just being like a branded lip balm, it's like Burt's bees, which is a really good quality product and everything.
Teresa: That's all the stuff that I've created. It hasn't got my brand on it because who wants to walk around with a tote bag with my name on the side. So they're like inspirational messages and cool things. And it's, and as you're talking about all these things, It's like, I can see how that is fitting in with the steps that you've just said, the values are entirely me, you know, that is the type of person I am.
Teresa: I'm putting on an event that I would want to go to. It fits really with my archetype because it's very creative and the individual slightly different how we do here in the UK. I'm talking about kind of the unique aspects of it. And it's like, yeah, it's super unique because it's not your average conference, you know?
Teresa: And then the fact of how I'm going to deliver it and how the fact it will all come together tomorrow and be amazing and all this stuff. So. It's really interesting too. And I feel so happy about it. Like, and the new brand as well. Like everything just feels like, oh, that's me that's so me and I think, whereas before I was trying to like, not hide my character or.
Teresa: The fact the I like finer things in life. And I came from a really poor family and I've worked really flipping hard and do not get me wrong. I am nowhere near where I want to be yet, but we certainly do. Okay. And I am now it feels like I'm finally getting into that and going, no, this is why I'm different. This is, I'm not just someone else.
Teresa: Who's going to check on a conference. It's going to be amazing. Like, yeah. Sounds great. Honestly, it sounds amazing.
Jennifer: You're signaling, first of all, congratulations. And it, it warms my heart to see another women really own, who she wants to be seen as, not just who you are, but you're signaling, Hey, this is me.
Jennifer: This is who I am. This is what our company stands for. And that way it's clear. It's actually kind to be clear to the audience that we're attracting. And even if it's like people will call you bougie and say, you know, oh, the ticket price was too high, whatever. There's always going to be haters. Right. And I always say, you know, there are so many other offers for them.
Jennifer: There are so it doesn't mean that it's lesser than for them to choose another route. You're just not into, you know, what you got going on. And they're going to have their own trauma and trigger response to it. And I can't manage that. All I can manage is that I feel happy and joyous, and that means that I will continue to do it because that's what about, that's what being values driven is about.
Jennifer: You're being values driven right now because you're going to continue to be sparked up and excited to do the next thing. And then the next thing, and the next thing, instead of feeling defeated and tired from your business. 'cause that's also, I think what happens with a lot of women. That's why they they'll do the escape route.
Jennifer: I call it and try to be like, oh wait, I can just think and manifest my way to being rich. And I'm kind of like, okay. I think that manifesting is a real thing. Absolutely. But I don't believe it. I don't call it manifesting. I don't call it manifestation. I call it manifest action. Values driven requires you to manifest action by deciding how you want to be seen.
Jennifer: And it's not inauthentic. It's very real. It's only inauthentic authentic when you manufacture it to look like other people's or because what you think full of like, and I think you got to trust yourself and then be good at marketing, frankly. Cause it, you know, you can also be. Um, the most creative person in the world, but if you don't understand how to position and market yourself, it's people are just going to stumble upon your brand.
Jennifer: You have to invite them and you need to help them find you easily. So I'm excited for you and by events, as I said earlier, like Timmy, the biggest activation points for your brand. Yeah. If done well, and it sounds like you're gonna be having an amazing event and I'm actually grateful that you're still doing this podcast today a day before the event, I would never be on a podcast. I would be resting because there's a lot of service involved in a live event.
Teresa: Maybe I'm just a little bit, uh, maybe I'm not aware what tomorrow's going to bring, but because it's just me because it's, we're doing it like a mastermind. So the content all's made, that's fine. We've done a lot of planning. Like everything. I've got this big list of things. I've got everything by the front door to take with me tomorrow.
Teresa: We've got a time table. So fingers crossed. It all goes off. But I think, yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited for people to see. And to show it on social media and go look, if you like this, you belong here. This is the place to be. Jen, you have been so fabulous, so much good stuff. I really appreciate you coming on.
Teresa: Where do you hang out most that people can come and say hi to you Jen?
Jennifer: Yeah. So I think Instagram is my favorite place. Please follow me at instagram @jennifer.kem in terms of DM-ing me or messaging me. It's where you're actually going to be able to have a conversation with me. All my other platforms. I'm on all platforms.
Jennifer: I'm on Facebook. I'm on uh, LinkedIn, those are also, LinkedIn is one of my other favorite places to be. And then I have a YouTube channel where every week I publish a training video around these concepts that we talked about today. And, but Instagram, jennifer.kem And then obviously you're going to post the brand archetype quiz and I think will help a lot of people get insight on their archetype as we discussed.
Teresa: It's great. It's a great quiz. Jen thank you so very much. It's been a pleasure to have you on.
Jennifer: Thanks for inviting me. It's been so fun. Yeah.
Teresa: There we go. That was the very lovely Jen. Now I should say, but I'm sure you got the gist of it that obviously, because I batch record that was recorded before the rebrand.
Teresa: So that was actually ages ago. This is like one of the things I batch recording. And I think I talked about it in the episode where I talked about, can I do it on an episode? I'm sure I did. When I talked about like the benefits and, and like downsides of batching. And one is that like, obviously when you batch the time, it actually comes out.
Teresa: You know, sometime as past, which obviously for most things is not a problem. But when I say, oh, my new brands coming, you've already seen it. It's gone. I'm sorry, the excitement's over. Okay. I will link up to everything in the show notes, all her stuff say, do, go and check her out. Oh. And I should also say that the reason she came on the podcast is because I DMed her and I just said, I've just listened to your podcast.
Teresa: And she immediately got back to me and we had a conversation and she was super lovely. So do tag her in, in some posts. I know she'll love to see it. All right. I will see you next week for another solo episode until then have a very wonderful week.
