Why your story matters more than your strategy when you're running a slow fashion business.

I’m drawn to people who make me feel like I belong. Not because they have the best content strategy, or because their captions are optimised for conversion, or because their brand colours are perfectly curated.

But because they’re human.

When I see someone share their cellulite, I feel a little better about mine. When I see someone raise their arms and reveal their hairy pits, I don’t feel so bad about going weeks without shaving mine. And when someone opens up about the quiet, messy, tender parts of themselves, those parts we’re usually taught to hide, I feel less alone in mine too.

There’s something so powerful in that kind of honesty. The kind that doesn’t try to sell, impress, or perform. The kind that simply shows up and says, 'Hey, this is me. I see you. You’re not weird. You’re not the only one.'

That’s what happened when I watched a reel from Clare, the Founder of Slow Fashion Australia. She shared her story, how she struggled with her body image as a teen, and how those experiences became the foundation for why she started her brand. Not just to sell clothes, but to create something bigger. To help other women feel good in their skin, too.

And I watched that reel four times.

Not because the visuals were slick or polished and perfect. Not because the algorithm told me to. But because, for 90 seconds, I saw myself. And in a world that often feels disconnected and performative, that kind of realness feels like space to breathe.

It reminded me of something important: people don’t connect with perfection. They connect with truth. With vulnerability. With reflections of their own lived experience.

We are wired to seek belonging. To find our people. To hear the stories that mirror our own and think, 'Ah, I’m not the only one.' And content like Clare’s doesn’t just build brand awareness. It builds belonging. It gives someone else the gift of feeling seen.

And that? That’s the kind of content that has an impact. That's the kind of content people remember.

If something as simple as a 90-second reel can move me, someone who scrolls past hundreds of pieces of content every day, imagine what it could do for your audience.

Imagine what might happen if you started showing up in that same way. If you shared your why, your purpose, your truth. If you let people in, just a little. Not because you’ve mapped out a funnel, but because you genuinely want to connect.

Because behind every screen is a human being who is quietly craving realness too.

Yes, there’s a strategy in this. Of course. We want to reach the right people, attract aligned customers, grow our brands. But the real reason we do this, this storytelling, this showing up, this heart-led sharing, it’s not just about growth. It’s about impact.

It’s about being the reason someone feels a little less alone.

So if you’ve been hesitating to share your story because you think it’s not 'professional' enough, or 'polished' enough, or 'relevant' enough, or 'strategic' enough, this is your reminder that your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

Because you never know who’s watching. You never know who will see a part of themselves in your words and feel a little more whole because of it.

And I think that’s a beautiful, powerful thing.

So here’s your gentle nudge. Share the story. Post the reel. Write the caption. Don’t wait for it to be perfect. Just be real. Be you. That’s more than enough.

And if you’ve lost touch with your why and you’re craving a little reconnection, my Purpose Masterclass is a beautiful place to start. You can find it here.

Claire x

Why your story matters more than your strategy when you're running a slow fashion business - Sustainable fashion business coach mentor
The Fashion Advocate ethical sustainable circular slow fashion business strategy mentor online course marketing how to

I spent my first five years in business stressed and in debt.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or if you're not making enough sales to survive, you're not alone. I've been there.

I was exhausted and I wanted to quit.

Then I worked out a strategy that dramatically changed my business, increased my sales, and saved me time. I want to share it with you!

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