Many times throughout my long and successful career I have been approached with less than savory opportunities. However, no amount of money or things could ever sway my decision or opinion. I am going to talk about staying true to yourself in business and life in this post! Staying true to myself is something I am very proud of. Sometimes it means going against the grain. We will talk about staying true to yourself in life and in business here.
One of the best parts about my blog is it is NOT ai generated. My thoughts are an unedited stream of consciousness of all my best business advice, through years of success! Follow Theresa on LinkedIn.
Identify your principles.
In order to stand your ground you must know what you stand for. For example, going into the entertainment industry in my teens, my mother was worried sick. We made a plan about the type of content I would be making and I quickly agreed, I would only engage in materials and content I would want my own parents to see. If I can’t show my dad, or my mom, then I said no to the project. It was that simple. We made a plan for every photoshoot I attended to keep me safe, including sending representatives or making a code word to signal to a third party.
Stand on your principles!
Once you know what you stand for it is easy to make decisions about work that comes your way. For example, in the early 2000s I was offered a chance to pose for Playboy Magazine. The shoot was ready for me in Chicago with a nice hefty cheque plus all expenses paid. It wasn’t a guarantee at a centerfold or cover either, it was just a chance for them to test and assess, as well own all the material shot. I immediately turned it down. There was no way I wanted my image associated with that magazine. Standing on your principles is staying true to yourself.
Persistence Pays Off!
It may seem boring to turn down opportunities like that but it is worth my integrity. There was another time I turned down the lead role in a Steve Schirripa produced feature film called BLUR because the lead was involved in a lot of X rated content. Despite me turning down these opportunities due to my principles, I was awarded with other opportunities which better fit my brand. I was given a supporting role and nominated at Berlin Filmmaker’s Fest for Best Supporting Actress in Blur. Also, despite turning down the opportunity to work with Playboy, we were still invited to a Halloween party at Hugh’s famed mansion, and we went!
Honesty Above All
No matter what happens in business or life, be honest. Honesty is always the best policy. Being honest, while being kind is the best way to approach your networking. A reputation for honesty can be a business’s greatest asset. Word of mouth from satisfied customers who value integrity can significantly boost brand loyalty and attract new customers who prefer dealing with transparent companies. This reputation can differentiate a company in competitive markets.
Businesses built on honesty tend to grow more sustainably. They avoid the boom-and-bust cycles often associated with companies that rely on deceptive practices to inflate short-term gains. Honest businesses can plan for the future with more certainty, knowing their growth is based on real value delivered to customers. Staying true to yourself is being honest.
In essence, honesty in business is not just ethically right; it’s pragmatically beneficial. It creates a virtuous cycle where trust leads to loyalty, loyalty to stability, and stability to innovation and growth. It’s super important to identify the principles of your brand, stand by them, be persistent and stay honest. Following these principles are essential to a well respected and successful business! I look back on my 20 year career in film, music and entertainment and I do not regret staying true to myself ever.
