Recently I’ve spoken with several entrepreneurs struggling with their business and feeling the pressure to go in a new direction or choose a niche that deep down doesn’t feel aligned with them. They wonder why they aren’t getting the right clients, why they feel so conflicted and why their business is stagnant or even shrinking.

Over the holidays, I worked on cleaning and decluttering our basement and in the process, I came across my old journal from when I was recovering from my car accident 25 years ago.

To the outside world a brand looks like one thing. Like a beautifully decorated cake. From the outside it looks and smells delicious, but when you cut into the cake and see beyond the sprinkles and icing, it’s actually made up of many layers.

There is SO much noise. Everyday we are inundated with words, images and sounds. And we are overwhelmed with choice. And your business is lost in that mix - but it doesn’t have to be.

When I first started my business in 2004 I didn’t know the term Brand Architecture and to be honest, it wasn’t really relevant at that time. Not just for me, but for many other solo entrepreneurs. I had my business brand (which was me) and that was basically it.

I'll be honest, writing a book was never something I thought I would do. It wasn't something I dreamed of doing as a kid and in fact, up until a few years ago, I wouldn't have even described myself as a writer.

What needs to shift right now in your business to be able to thrive through this crisis?

You need to create a heart to heart connection with the people you want to work with. When you can connect with them on an emotional level, you have a greater chance of creating that connection.

Vulnerability is a HOT topic these days. And I see a lot of people crushing it and equally as many who being crushed by it. So how do you know which camp you are in?

December is always a time of reflection. It’s a time to see if I did what I set out to achieve this year. It reminds me of what I’ve accomplished…And it’s a reminder of the things that didn’t go well.

I’ve been paying attention to why some entrepreneurs seem to be killing it and others are struggling – and I have noticed a pattern emerging.

Have you ever been in a position where you were on the phone with someone or on their website and you felt so overwhelmed with the options being presented that you found yourself shutting down?

We all have tenacity in us or we wouldn't be entrepreneurs. The challenge comes when you create something and then get caught up in fear of putting yourself out into the world.

If your brand is what people believe about you, then your reputation truly IS your brand. It's how you make people feel, the impression you leave them with and the trust you build.

Watching our friend Davide Direnzo play the drums is something everyone should witness, and something we can all take a lesson from.

As I reflect on my year, I took a look to see which of my blog posts resonated most with my readers (aka you!) I've compiled a list of the top 5.

I believe that life is what you make of it. It's not what happens to you – it's how you react and what you learn that matters. It's what you make happen.

Yesterday was a significant day in my life. On November 12th, 1995 – 23 years ago – I was hit by a drunk driver and my life was changed forever.