Let me tell you about my first pair of cowboy boots.
They’re more than 15 years old. Worn in all the right places. They are perfectly, unapologetically mine. In fact, I just had them resoled; out of necessity, but more importantly, out of respect. You don’t walk away from that kind of relationship. You take it to the cobbler, tip your hat to craftsmanship, and get those soles ready for another round.
They’ve seen stages, conference rooms, long days, late flights, Burning Man a few times, and once, they got me all the way from Wall Street to Central Park (yes, on foot). Sometimes, the right pair of shoes makes you believe you can go a little farther.
They make me feel grounded.
They make me feel powerful.
And they are comfortable as hell to walk in.
But the first time I put them on? After two years of waiting in my closet?
Oh, they felt weird.
Not necessarily uncomfortable. Just…unfamiliar.
I remember it exactly. I was headed to the 2013 FPA Far West Roundup. The event had “roundup” in the name, so I figured cowboy boots were fair game. Seemed clever at the time.
But standing in front of the mirror that morning, I thought:
Is this too much? Are these me? What if I walk in and everyone else is in flip-flops?
It wasn’t the boots that caused my questioning, but the newness.
The stretch of trying on something that felt slightly outside of who I was, but absolutely in line with who I wanted to become.
And now? Now, I throw those bad boys on without a second thought. I’ve walked miles in them, both literal and metaphorical. They’ve become mine.
I grew into them.
This, by the way, is exactly how personal branding works.
It feels awkward at first. Maybe even a little embarrassing. You fumble with your voice, second-guess your posts, and wonder if anyone’s even paying attention.
But, just like my boots, your brand needs time. It needs breaking in. You’ll grow into it.
April 13 was National Boot Day. You probably didn’t celebrate (I mean, why would you if there’s no cake involved?). But I did.
My sacred boots reminded me of something important that I think you’ll appreciate:
The awkwardness around personal branding that you feel at the start isn’t a red flag. It’s a sign you’re stepping into something that matters.
If your brand still feels a little stiff, a little uncertain, you’re not behind. You’re just breaking it in.
And that’s what SWAY | LIVE 25 is designed for.
It’s the only conference built specifically to help financial professionals amplify their personal brand. Through immersive sessions, creative strategy, and community connection, you’ll walk away with real work done: projects finished, ideas refined, and clarity around your voice and vision.