episode 16: showing the f*ck up

October 16, 2024

Categories: Podcast

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his week, we sat down with Aria Leighty, founder of Show the F*ck Up Media, a platform dedicated to empowering queer and BIPOC voices in entrepreneurship and media.

Together, we look at the critical role of strategic visibility in entrepreneurship, especially for marginalized communities, reframing it as foundational to business success rather than just a marketing tactic. Aria shares her expertise in navigating societal expectations, embodying authenticity, and balancing the challenge of being both bold and inclusive without sacrificing one’s true self.

Drawing on her experience as a visibility strategist and networking expert, Aria offers insights on overcoming generational trauma, dismantling harmful societal norms, and developing a visibility strategy that is both genuine and impactful, helping entrepreneurs maximize their influence while staying true to their values.

Listeners will gain actionable insights as Aria discusses how building an intentional networking strategy can enhance entrepreneurial effectiveness. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, guiding entrepreneurs to audit their visibility habits and make strategic adjustments to better align with their authentic selves.

We also explore how boldness and authenticity can often be more effective in entrepreneurship than traditional notions of professionalism, and how a well-defined visibility style can elevate both personal and brand presence.

Key Takeaways:

Authentic visibility is foundational to business success, especially for queer and BIPOC entrepreneurs.
Challenging traditional ideas of professionalism is crucial for authentic self-presentation.
Replace performance-driven social media culture with genuine interactions for sustainable community building.
Conduct a personal visibility audit to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Influence often comes from bold, unapologetic communication.
Focus on providing value rather than conforming to outdated norms.
Develop a visibility strategy that aligns with your personal values and feels comfortable.

Discussion Timeline:

00:28 About Show the Fuck Up Media
01:27 The Importance of Showing Up
03:22 Professionalism and Authenticity
05:29 Coaching on Showing Up
08:15 Networking vs. Showing Up
11:01 Building a Visibility Strategy
13:10 The Future of Social Media
16:41 Challenging the Status Quo
18:32 Building Authentic Relationships
21:58 Embracing Discomfort and Authenticity
26:35 Intentionality and Representation
32:25 Top Three Hacks for Showing Up

Connect with Aria Leighty:

The Plug – Free visibility resource
The CLUB – A membership for intentional networking and visibility strategy
Aria on Instagram
Aria on LinkedIn

About Raven:

Hi, y’all! I’m Raven O’Neal, a diversely curious serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. But the fun doesn’t stop there. I’m also a mentor, wife, mother, and business expert. I see my business as an extension of all my personal and professional life experiences, embracing growth and learning from a few fumbles along the way.

Throughout my business journey, I’ve supported over 500 female-led startups, advised more than 200 founders 1:1, and played a role in facilitating over $100M in funding. My calling is to help women transform their businesses and lives through collaboration and partnerships. I look forward to being with you every step of the way on your journey to growth and transformation. If you want to join the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.