100 Decibels

Tag: motivation

  • This is the First Step Before Starting an Online Business

    Choosing the Right Type of Brand for Your Online Business Journey

    Welcome to the first step in building a scaleable online business. I’m glad you’re here, and if you’re anything like me—a parent with a full-time job, looking for a way to create something meaningful that offers both freedom and security—you’re in the right place.

    I invite you to join me on this journey as I build my own online business, one step at a time. My mission? To show that creating a successful business is entirely doable with the right approach, mindset, and commitment to the process. Through this series, I’ll share what I’m learning, what’s working, and the challenges I’m overcoming—all with the hope that it inspires you to take action and build something for yourself.

    If you’re ready to start your own journey and build a business alongside me, reach out to me by filling out the form below to get started. The best time to start is today—let’s take that first step together.

    When building your online business, it’s important to consider your branding. Your brand will shape how people perceive you, trust you, and ultimately decide to do business with you. Let’s start with the three types of branding and explore which one suits your journey best.

    What Are the Three Types of Brands?

    The first step in building an online business is deciding what type of brand you want to create. There are three main types to consider:

    1. Personal Brand – A brand built around you as an individual.

    2. Faceless Brand – A brand focused on a niche, product, or mission without showcasing your identity.

    3. Business Brand – A formal company or business entity that operates independently of you.

    Each type has unique strengths and challenges, so let’s break them down to help you determine which one is right for your journey.

    1. Personal Brand

    A personal brand revolves around you. It’s built on your experiences, personality, skills, and values. You’re the face of the brand, which can be highly effective for building trust and connecting with your audience.

    Pros of a Personal Brand:
    • Builds trust quickly—people connect with people.
    • Cost-effective to start with minimal tools (social media, blogs, etc.).
    • Easy to pivot into new industries or niches.
    • Great for high-ticket sales, coaching, or affiliate marketing.
    Cons of a Personal Brand:
    • Requires consistent personal involvement (e.g., videos, social media).
    • Harder to scale—your business relies on you.
    • Risky if you prefer to keep your side hustle discreet.
    Best For:
    • Beginners looking to build trust and sell high-ticket offers.
    • Those comfortable being the face of their business.
    2. Faceless Brand

    A faceless brand operates without tying your identity to the business. It’s built around a specific niche, product, or mission, which allows you to remain behind the scenes.

    Pros of a Faceless Brand:
    • Discreet—you can build it quietly without risking your day job.
    • Highly scaleable—you can outsource and grow without your direct involvement.
    • Long-term viability—faceless brands are easier to sell or pass on.
    • Ideal for content-based businesses (e.g., blogs, YouTube channels, or digital products).
    Cons of a Faceless Brand:
    • Slower to build trust compared to a personal brand.
    • May require upfront investments in branding, marketing, or tools.
    • Longer sales cycle—it takes time to establish credibility.
    Best For:
    • Parents or professionals who prefer privacy.
    • Those interested in creating passive income streams or building a sellable asset.
    3. Business Brand

    A business brand represents a formal company or organization. It’s the most professional and scaleable option, often targeting a broader audience or solving larger problems.

    Pros of a Business Brand:
    • Perceived as professional and credible, especially in B2B markets.
    • Easier to secure partnerships, funding, and brand deals.
    • Highly scaleable—doesn’t depend on your personal involvement.
    • Attractive for acquisition or buyouts.
    Cons of a Business Brand:
    • Requires more time, resources, and upfront investment.
    • Harder to manage while maintaining a 9-to-5 job.
    • Slower trust-building process, especially for beginners.
    Best For:
    • Experienced entrepreneurs ready to scale professionally.
    • Those aiming for large-scale partnerships or corporate opportunities.
    Which Brand Type Is Right for You?

    If you’re new to online business, here’s what I recommend:

    • Start with a Personal Brand if you want to test ideas, build trust quickly, and directly connect with your audience. This is perfect for high-ticket affiliate marketing or coaching.
    • Consider a Faceless Brand if you want to remain discreet or prefer a low-profile approach while building a long-term, scaleable business.
    • Go for a Business Brand if you’re experienced and ready to build something larger that doesn’t rely on you personally.
    Balancing Your Side Hustle with Your Full-Time Job

    One of the most important things to consider when starting your online business is how it aligns with your current life and career:

    • Personal Brand: Builds trust quickly, but it makes you publicly visible. If your employer has strict policies about side hustles, this might not be the best choice.
    • Faceless Brand: Perfect if you want to stay under the radar. It’s ideal for building something sustainable without drawing attention.
    • Business Brand: Highly professional but requires more effort and investment upfront, which could interfere with your job if not managed carefully.
    Tips for Discretion:
    • Work on your side hustle outside of work hours.
    • Use a brand type that aligns with your current skills and keeps your professional life intact.
    • Review your employment contract for any restrictions on outside business activities.

    Trust, Sales Cycles, and Scaleability

    AspectPersonal BrandFaceless BrandBusiness Brand
    Trust FactorHighMediumMedium to High
    Sales Cycle SpeedFastSlowerMedium
    ScaleabilityLimitedHighHigh
    Suited for Beginners?YesYesNo
    Can Be Bought Out?RareYesYes

    Take the First Step Today

    Starting a side hustle can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you choose a personal, faceless, or business brand, the key is to start small, stay consistent, and focus on providing value. Over time, you’ll gain the confidence and clarity to scale your business into something life-changing.

    Again, if you’re ready to take action and build your online business alongside me, reach out to me by filling out the form below to get started. Let’s take that first step together—your future self will thank you.

    What type of brand feels right for your journey? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to know what your thoughts are!

  • Doing Deeply Interested Work

    This resonates with me.

    The work I’m doing is something I can easily do deep work and lose track of the time.

    It’s about pushing the boundaries in how Deaf people communicate, learn, and thrive.

    It’s about challenging the status quo. There’s technology, AI, interpreting services industry and online coaching.

    It’s about empowering Deaf people to take ownership of the narrative that can and will transform lives.

    Like a bamboo plant, I won’t see the changes immediately with the deep work I’m doing, but when the time comes, it’ll be ready.

    What work are you deeply interested in?

  • What is a creative outlet? (And how do I leverage it to make an impact?)

    I asked Chat GPT this question and this is the response I received:

    A creative outlet is a means of expressing oneself and channeling creativity. It can be any activity or medium that allows individuals to explore their imagination, emotions, and ideas. Examples of creative outlets include painting, writing, playing an instrument, dancing, crafting, and photography. Engaging in a creative outlet can bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of personal expression. It can also serve as a way to relieve stress and explore new possibilities.

    It’s pretty accurate in what I do. I love what I do because it is an outlet where I can manifest my creativity. With the ability to connect and converse with people sparks my creativity whether they’re roadblocks, barriers, or conflicts. Like diamonds, they are a result of being under pressure. Creativity is like that under some kind of restriction and results into something beautiful out of it.

    As a Deaf person, the problem isn’t me being Deaf or even Deafness itself. It’s the systemic barriers being imposed. In my case, I’m referring to audism. It’s always been there long before it even had a name. Like death, it’s inevitable. So, we just need to learn to manage it with tools and resources with a community. It’s a team effort and requires a community to make it through.

    However, it’s deeper than that. It’s all from within. Our drive, perseverance and more importantly, our mindset. What drives our mindset though is finding and understanding our why. By focusing on audism, we’re just simply banging ourselves against a wall. Like I mentioned, death is inevitable. So, what do families do in preparation for death? They get life insurance, critical illness, wills, estates and a funeral plan.

    With audism, we create inclusion and access by raising awareness about Deaf Culture, teach ASL, provide ASL interpreting services, and so on. There are many ways Deaf people and allies with entrepreneurial spirits pushing through to create solutions getting over the hurdle.

    This goes back to what I love I’m doing. Creating stories, creating solutions that matter and creating impact. My creative outlet is an opportunity to transform Deaf lives and the community through meaningful conversations.

  • Traits I Think About When It Comes to Mindset

    Mindset Defined

    Mindset refers to the beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions a person holds about themselves, others, and the world around them. It is the lens through which individuals perceive and interpret their experiences and shapes their behaviour and responses.

    A person’s mindset can be either fixed or growth-oriented. A fixed mindset is characterized by a belief that a person’s intelligence, talents, and abilities are predetermined and unchangeable. In contrast, a growth mindset is characterized by a belief that one’s intelligence, talents, and abilities can be developed and improved through effort and learning.

    Mindset can significantly impact a person’s life, affecting their ability to achieve their goals and overcome challenges. A growth mindset, for example, can lead to increased resilience, motivation, and achievement, while a fixed mindset can lead to a fear of failure and a reluctance to take risks.

    Fixed Mindset Traits

    People with fixed mindsets tend to have a specific set of traits and beliefs that distinguish them from those with growth mindsets. Here are some common traits of people with fixed mindsets:

    1. Belief in innate talent: People with fixed mindsets tend to believe that their abilities are predetermined and fixed, based on their innate talent. They often believe that success comes easily to those with natural talent and that effort and hard work are not as important.
    2. Fear of failure: People with fixed mindsets often fear failure because they see it as a reflection of their abilities and identity. They may avoid challenges and opportunities that could lead to failure, preferring to stick to what they know they are good at.
    3. Resistance to feedback: People with fixed mindsets may be resistant to feedback, especially criticism, as they see it as a threat to their self-image. They may take feedback personally and see it as a reflection of their abilities rather than an opportunity for growth.
    4. Limited view of success: People with fixed mindsets often have a limited view of what success means. They may define success in terms of achievement, status, or recognition, rather than personal growth or learning.
    5. Avoidance of challenges: People with fixed mindsets may avoid challenges because they see them as threats to their self-image and abilities. They may prefer to stick to what they know they can do well, rather than taking risks or trying new things.

    It’s worth noting that many people exhibit a mix of fixed and growth mindsets, and it’s possible to develop a growth mindset through intentional effort and practice.

    Growth Mindset Traits

    People with growth mindsets tend to have a specific set of traits and beliefs that distinguish them from those with fixed mindsets. Here are some common traits of people with growth mindsets:

    1. Belief in the power of effort: People with growth mindsets believe that they can develop their abilities through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. They see challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.
    2. Embracing challenges: People with growth mindsets embrace challenges and are willing to take risks. They see challenges as opportunities to learn and improve, and are not discouraged by setbacks.
    3. Openness to feedback: People with growth mindsets are open to feedback, including criticism. They see feedback as an opportunity for learning and growth, and are not threatened by criticism.
    4. Persistence: People with growth mindsets are persistent and resilient. They are not discouraged by setbacks and failures, and are willing to try again and again until they succeed.
    5. View of success: People with growth mindsets have a broader view of success. They define success in terms of personal growth, learning, and improvement, rather than just achievement or recognition.

    It’s worth noting that many people exhibit a mix of fixed and growth mindsets, and it’s possible to develop a growth mindset through intentional effort and practice.

    Transitioning from Fixed Mindset to Growth Mindset

    If you have a fixed mindset and would like to transition to a growth mindset, here are some suggestions:

    1. Recognize your fixed mindset: The first step in transitioning to a growth mindset is to recognize the areas in which you hold a fixed mindset. Pay attention to your beliefs about your abilities, talents, and potential. Identify areas where you avoid challenges or see effort as pointless.
    2. Challenge your beliefs: Once you have identified your fixed mindset, challenge those beliefs. Look for evidence that contradicts your beliefs, and try to reframe your thinking in a more growth-oriented way. For example, when facing a challenge, remind yourself that the effort you put in will help you grow and improve.
    3. Embrace challenges: Seek out challenges and opportunities for growth. Take on tasks that push you out of your comfort zone, and be willing to try new things. When you face setbacks or failures, view them as opportunities to learn and grow.
    4. Cultivate a learning mindset: Focus on the process of learning, rather than just the outcome. Celebrate progress and improvement, and be open to feedback and criticism. Recognize that learning and growth are ongoing processes that require effort and dedication.
    5. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and avoid negative self-talk. Recognize that learning and growth involve setbacks and failures, and be gentle with yourself when you experience them. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would offer a friend.

    Transitioning from a fixed to a growth mindset takes time and effort, but with practice, it is possible to develop a more growth-oriented approach to life. By challenging your beliefs, embracing challenges, and focusing on learning and growth, you can cultivate a mindset that allows you to reach your full potential.

    Which mindset do you currently have? How do you want to change or improve your current mindset?

  • Why is setting goals important?

    Setting goals is important for several reasons:

    1. Provides direction and focus: Goals provide direction and focus by helping you identify what you want to achieve. Also, it helps to know what actions to take to reach your desired outcome.
    2. Increases motivation: Goals provide a source of motivation by creating a clear target to aim for. When you have a clear goal in mind, you are more likely to work harder and stay committed to achieving it.
    3. Helps measure progress: Goals provide a way to measure progress by creating a benchmark. This is helpful to track your achievements.
    4. Builds confidence and self-esteem:  When you see you are capable of achieving what you set out to do, this builds confidence and self-esteem.
    5. Encourages growth and learning: You develop new skills and knowledge by pushing yourself outside of your comfort. Setting these goals encourages growth and learning.
    6. Provides a sense of purpose: Goals give you something to strive for. It creates a sense of accomplishment when you reach your target.
    7. Enhances decision-making: Goals provide a clear framework to evaluate your options and choices aligned with your desired outcome.

    In summary, setting goals is important because it provides direction, increases motivation, measures progress, builds confidence and self-esteem, encourages growth and learning, provides a sense of purpose, and enhances decision-making.

    What else would you add to the above and why?