Meet Char Modelle

We were lucky to catch up with Char Modelle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Char, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
 I don’t look at imposter syndrome as something you overcome, I think of it as a signal. In my experience these emotions will pop up from time to time, regardless of where you are at in your journey. So, it isn’t a matter of “how do I overcome them”, it is “how do I regain focus on what is real, and not the insecurities I am feeling?”

When I feel like I am not good enough, worthy enough, smart enough, or whatever it may be causing me to feel these emotions surface…I know I need to pause and recalibrate.

I used to spend way too much time comparing my work, abilities, and journey to only a snapshot of what I saw from others in my industry, and that would cause me to doubt. But when I focused on what I COULD DO, instead of what others were doing, it gave me the grace to let those feelings go.

I am not those people, and I do not need to be them to be good at what I do.

There are people who need what you offer. They need it to come from YOU. Not from the person you compare yourself to. Any time you feel those emotions creep in, put on the blinders like a Clydesdale horse and focus on your own path. Celebrate each and every win that you have, unapologetically. Trust that you EARNED it. You didn’t get it from luck, you worked for it. You are the ish! Allow yourself to feel the accomplishments. Then keep moving forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

If you want a blueprint to build your personal brand, a content strategy, and to use Instagram as a platform for visibility and growth —> I’m your girl.

Years ago, I was struggling to make up my own mind about what I wanted to do. I was a multi-passionate creative, unable to focus on any one thing. I wanted to bake, I wanted to be a fitness guru, I wanted to be a stylist, I wanted to coach…I was all over the place. I thought because I enjoyed so many things, and because I was good at something, that meant I should choose it as my niche. I was dead wrong. I didn’t move forward in anything. It felt like I was planning a trip with no destination.

One day, I went to my P.O. Box to pick up my mail. Inside was a large white mailer with a book inside, and a note that said “I think this book will help you.” The book was titled “The War of Art.” A stranger from Dubai had mailed me this book, and it was life changing for me. I remember reading the first few pages and I was shook. It was one of those indescribable moments, I felt like an angel had to have been sent to deliver this message.

I learned how to choose something and stick to it. I learned how to just do the work, and not wait and wish for things to happen. I learned how distractions often came in the disguise of overeating, scrolling, drinking, making plans…instead of seeing a project through. The “war” was avoiding the work. The art was the work you needed to do. Learning how to channel my focus was a game changer. I shared that book with multiple friends who also had the same reaction to it.

This was about a decade ago, but it is still one of the foundational pieces of what I do in my coaching. Narrowing your niche and focus. Because if you can’t, you have no map. You have no direction to point your compass to even begin the journey.

I always ask my clients “If someone were to pay you $1 Million dollars to speak on ONE thing at a conference, what would it be?” If they can’t answer that, we have work to do. You don’t know what your “one thing” is just yet.

I offer coaching + consulting for people who want to build a personal brand and use Instagram as a funnel, niching is just a beginning step in the process. I created “Your Niche Guide”, 10 steps you follow that will give you clarity on what niche to choose. You can find it in my link in bio @brandsocialconsulting on Instagram, or dm me for the link.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
 1. Progression. I consistently grew in my business by learning and using the new tools to grow on my clients. I am forever a student willing to learn and progress. I believe personal growth = business growth. I have started incorporating AI into my coaching and content creation. You must progress or you will be left behind.

2. Underpromised, overdelivered. There is not a client I have had that I did not go the extra mile in some way for. Because of that my business has been built 100% on referral. I will do what it takes, and if I cannot deliver on my promise, then it is not an offer I should have to begin with. That is how I do business.

3. Relationship building > Networking. I don’t own business cards. That is not how I network, I build relationships. When you take a few mins to get to know someone, versus just trying to get some quick value exchange…people feel that. They know you aren’t there just to add a phone number to your address book or make a sale, you will stand out in the crowd.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

Look, in reality diversifying your strengths will help. But if you want to build a powerful personal brand, you need to focus on what you are here to do. You cannot dominate your niche, trying to wear too many hats. You need to hire the right team to help you to get where you want to go. You are the person behind the wheel, and your team are the wheels moving.

I see so many entrepreneurs who try to do their own marketing, content, editing, and run a business and in the end they get burnt out. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do it all well. Not to mention, you need to have a life outside of work still. Your mental health and overall well-being should always be prioritized.

So when I am coaching clients, I find out what their strengths are, so they can double down their efforts where it is most valuable. If it is something that can be easily delegated, hire someone to help. I teach them how to integrate their lifestyle into their content. How to build a personal brand in a sustainable, powerful, and effective way.

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Image Credits
Professional Images: Jeremy Okada

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