Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, and entrepreneurs are no exception. With so many pressures and responsibilities that affect not only themselves, but also their employees and customers, it’s almost inevitable that an entrepreneur will occasionally make a bad decision. However, sometimes big mistakes can lead to big consequences that can tarnish the entrepreneur’s reputation.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no possibility of redemption. Here, eight Young Entrepreneur Council members discuss what an entrepreneur can do if they’re looking to improve their personal brand after making a mistake and why these methods are so effective at turning things around.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. Own Your Past
Before you can improve a damaged brand, the first step is to own the choices you made that led to the mistake. While audiences don’t expect you to be perfect, they do expect you to be honest. Being accountable shows that you are responsible, that you have integrity and that you’re relatable. Audiences love when someone takes personal accountability and can get back up. Owning your mistakes makes you a much more powerful entrepreneur in the long run. – Shu Saito, All Filters
2. Highlight The Lessons You Learned
When presenting their personal brands, entrepreneurs often introduce themselves as relentless forces of nature. They are so focused on displaying their past victories and accomplishments that they often forget about the human aspect—something that makes your brand relatable. No human is error-free, as we have all made mistakes in the past and will probably continue making errors in the future. But, that’s how we learn, evolve and grow to be better than we were yesterday. So, if you’ve made some mistakes in the past and are looking to improve your personal brand, highlight those mistakes and the lessons learned. Don’t present yourself as a deity but as someone whom others can relate to and be inspired by. – Jared Atchison, WPForms
3. Ask Your Network For Feedback
One step an entrepreneur can take to improve their personal brand is to reach out to their network and ask for feedback. By asking for feedback from trusted contacts and colleagues, entrepreneurs can gain valuable insight into their strengths and weaknesses, both professionally and personally. This feedback can help entrepreneurs identify areas for improvement and develop a plan for success. Additionally, by demonstrating their initiative and commitment to personal growth, entrepreneurs can show their network that they are serious about their professional development. This can help to strengthen their personal brand and build relationships with potential partners and investors. – Andrew Munro, AffiliateWP
4. Communicate With Your Team And Other Stakeholders
No mistake should be a roadblock for your entrepreneurial journey. Mistakes are temporary. Don’t let them define your future. A mistake is just a detour on the road to success. By reflecting on what went wrong and identifying the lessons learned, you can use that knowledge to develop a plan for the future and take action to move forward. Primarily, you’ll want to communicate with your team and stakeholders. If the mistake affected your team or business partners, it’s important to be transparent and honest about what happened. This can help build trust and strengthen your relationships. Also, develop a plan for moving forward. This might involve making changes to your processes or seeking additional support or resources. – Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
5. Gather Plenty Of Data
If someone has made mistakes in the past, it’s likely they didn’t accumulate enough information to make informed decisions. So, this time around, the entrepreneur should conduct thorough research to take action. They should carry out a detailed assessment of their brand, current market trends and the competitive landscape to gather relevant information that facilitates an informed decision. This is an effective approach because data never lies. Making decisions by trusting your gut may backfire, but the decisions backed by research often yield promising results. – Chris Klosowski, Easy Digital Downloads
6. Share Your Story And Your Knowledge In A Book
One way for an entrepreneur to improve their personal brand is by writing a book. This can be a memoir, a how-to guide or a fictional novel. Books are the most impressive way of telling your story and sharing your knowledge with the world. It will give you the opportunity to build your credibility as an expert in your industry. – Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
7. Be The Person You Wish To Be Seen As
It’s about actions over words. When you’re in a place where you’re confident that your mistakes are behind you, then you can announce your new intentions to the world. Don’t be surprised if you are met with cynicism early on. Continue to be the person you wish to be seen as, and eventually, your brand will catch up to where it needs to be. There is no magic pill for sincerity, but the good news is that people love a redemption story, and if mending your personal brand is yours, you’ll get more than enough encouragement to balance out the hate. Focus on the encouragement and try to be the person you want your brand to be as often as possible. – Tyler Bray, TK Trailer Parts
8. Showcase Your New Achievements
One step an entrepreneur can take to improve their personal brand is to create a blog or website that showcases their work and accomplishments. This is effective because it allows them to control the narrative and shape their public image. By creating a website, they can create content that highlights their strengths and accomplishments while downplaying their past mistakes. Additionally, it gives them an online platform to showcase their ideas and projects, which can help to build their reputation as an expert in their field. – Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite