Happy New Year!
I have to admit, I’m a walking NY cliché right now—I just joined the gym. Yes, I overindulged over Christmas (who didn’t?), and I’ve put on a stone (14lbs) since April. Plus, I have a wedding dress to fit into at some point.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t join the gym for weight loss —that might be an added bonus. It’s because I know the impact of really taking care of and loving my body.
I struggled with this - liking my body - massively as a teen and throughout my twenties. But it wasn’t until I started my business that I realised how much my insecurities were holding me back.
You might be surprised to hear the link between body image and business success. It doesn’t matter what shape or size you are—what matters is how you feel about that!
Let me share a snippet of my story…
When I decided to train as a Personal Stylist on 2008, I had one mission: to help people feel good about how they looked.
I’d seen firsthand how much more confident I felt when I dressed in a way that made me look good—and, in turn, feel better.
What I didn’t anticipate was how much that decision would force me to confront my own insecurities about my body and appearance.
Let me take you back to where it all began.
Carrying the Weight of Bullying
As a child, I was bullied. Told I was fat, ugly, and not good enough. Those hurtful words stayed with me, shaping how I saw myself for years. Even as an adult, I carried that weight—thinking that if I just worked harder, looked better, or hid more effectively, I might escape judgment.
When I became a stylist, I thought I’d left all that behind. But I quickly learned that stepping into this industry didn’t just mean helping others feel good about themselves—it also meant putting myself in the firing line for comments and judgment.
The Pressure of Showing Up
Picture this: You walk into a networking event and introduce yourself as a personal stylist. What happens next?
Naturally, people look you up and down,
They scrutinising your outfit,
They judge your appearance, and confidence.
As someone still carrying the scars of childhood bullying, this was terrifying.
I’d get debilitating anxiety before these events. I hated telling people what I did because I was sure they’d judge me and think, "Who does she think she is?" So, I avoided putting myself out there.
I stayed hidden behind my laptop, designing flyers and posting sporadically on social media. I avoided photos and videos because I didn’t want people to see me. I thought I could build a business without ever truly showing up.
But here’s the truth: starting a business is like signing up for the greatest self-development seminar on the planet. It forces you to confront every insecurity you have—or risk being held back by them.
Two Options
As a business owner, I realised I had two choices:
Let my insecurities eat away at me until I gave up on my dream (or settled for never reaching my full potential).
Work on those insecurities, transform the relationship I had with myself, and step into the confidence I needed to thrive.
I chose the second path—not because it was easy, but because I knew the alternative was unbearable.
The Turning Point
The moment I started working on my confidence and how I felt about my body, things began to shift. I stopped letting the fear of judgment hold me back from saying yes to opportunities.
I went to networking events and owned my space, unapologetically introducing myself as a stylist.
I started showing up online—posting photos, videos, and sharing my message.
I embraced my story, using it to connect with others instead of hiding it in shame.
And do you know what happened? My business grew. People resonated with (and really appreciated) my vulnerability and authenticity. They weren’t looking for someone perfect—they were looking for someone real.
Discover the Surprising Link
It got me thinking about how much our relationship with our body impacts not only our lives but our businesses.
How we feel about ourselves—our bodies, our appearance—directly affects how we show up in the world. And when we show up confidently, everything changes.
8 WAYS YOUR BODY IMAGE IS HOLDING BACK YOUR BUSINESS
1. Public Speaking & Networking
Before: Struggling with self-consciousness, you avoid speaking at events or networking because you’re worried about how others perceive you. This limits opportunities to connect with potential clients or collaborators.
After: Accepting your body and yourself boosts your confidence, allowing you to speak up and network more effectively. You're no longer worried about judgement, which opens doors for collaboration, partnerships, and new business opportunities.
Tips: Start by practising speaking in smaller, more familiar groups to build confidence. Focus on the value you bring to the conversation rather than how you look. Consider joining public speaking groups like Toastmasters to develop skills and ease.
2. Visibility in Your Business
Before: You avoid showing up on camera, creating videos, or posting photos because of insecurities about your appearance. This stunts your business’s growth by limiting your reach and visibility.
After: Accepting your body helps you feel comfortable and empowered to show up online and offline. You confidently create video content, post authentic photos, and engage with your audience, boosting your brand visibility and growing your business.
Tips: Take small steps, like starting with voice-only videos or photos where you feel your best. Gradually build up to full video content and embrace authenticity. Focus on your message and how it helps your audience.
3. Taking Action
Before: Self-doubt about your body can cause you to procrastinate on important tasks, such as launching your products, running promotions, or making decisions that move your business forward.
After: With self-acceptance, you feel more confident pushing forward with creating and promoting services. You overcome hesitation, take consistent action, and make strides in your business.
Tips: Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how small, to build momentum. Surround yourself with supportive peers or mentors who encourage you to take action.
4. Pricing
Before: Not liking your body contributes to imposter syndrome. You feel unworthy of success and hesitate to claim your ‘space’ in your industry.
After: Accepting yourself means embracing your worth, which allows you to step into your role as a leader and expert in your field. You confidently charge what you're worth, own your expertise, and achieve your goals without self-doubt.
Tips: Write down your achievements and reflect on the value you provide to clients. Practise saying your prices confidently in a mirror or with a friend. Remember that pricing reflects your expertise, not your appearance.
5. Fear of Judgement
Before: Worrying about others' judgement based on your appearance stops you from promoting yourself and your business.
After: Accepting your body helps you let go of judgement, freeing you to share your message and offerings without fear. You become more visible, and ideal clients can actually find you!
Tips: Shift your focus to your audience’s needs—what problems you solve for them. Reframe judgement as proof that you’re reaching people, and remind yourself that not everyone’s opinion matters.
6. Opportunities & Growth
Before: Fear of how you look holds you back from seizing high-visibility opportunities, such as speaking at events, hosting workshops, or collaborating with bigger brands.
After: Accepting your body makes you feel empowered to say "yes" to opportunities. You embrace public speaking, media appearances, and collaborations, significantly growing your business and expanding your reach.
Tips: Start by saying “yes” to smaller opportunities to build your confidence. Seek out a mentor who can guide and encourage you to take bigger steps. Focus on the long-term benefits of these opportunities.
7. Valuing Yourself & Your Offerings
Before: When you don’t like your body, you may undervalue your skills and expertise. This can lead to underpricing your services or struggling with the belief that you're not deserving of success.
After: Accepting your body boosts your sense of worth, which translates into valuing your products or services more. You confidently charge what you're worth and attract clients who see your value.
Tips: Write a list of testimonials or positive feedback from clients. Remind yourself of the impact your work has on others. Practise communicating your value in your marketing materials and conversations.
8. Brand Messaging & Authenticity
Before: If you’re self-conscious about your body, it can impact the authenticity of your brand messaging. Clients are drawn to people who are real, and if you’re hiding your true self, your brand may not resonate.
After: Accepting your body allows you to express your true self authentically in your branding and communications. You book that photoshoot, and your audience feels a stronger connection to you, increasing trust and loyalty.
Tips: Focus on your story and why you started your business—it’s your unique journey that resonates with clients. Invest in a brand photoshoot where you feel your best, and let your personality shine in your messaging.
The Bottom Line
Accepting your body isn't just about feeling better—it’s about unlocking the full potential of who you are and what your business can achieve. When you feel comfortable in your own skin, you show up in a way that inspires confidence, builds trust, and attracts the opportunities and clients that are perfect for you. Transform your body image, and you’ll see your business transform too!
Don’t Let Your Hang-Ups Hold You Back
Running a business will challenge you in ways you never expect, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to grow—not just as a professional but as a person.
If you’re struggling with insecurities about your body or appearance, know this: you don’t have to let those fears hold you back. Whether it’s in your business, your relationships, or any other area of life, the way forward is through transforming the relationship you have with yourself.
When you love the skin you’re in, you show up differently. You radiate confidence, magnetism, and energy. You say yes to the opportunities that will grow your business and your life.
That’s exactly why I created my 6-week course, many years ago. I created the course I wish I could have had back in 2008:
Are you ready to totally transform the way you feel about your body?
In just 6 weeks, you’ll learn how to:
Transform negative self-talk into positive, empowering thoughts
Stop comparing yourself to others and embrace your unique beauty
Take radical self-care and build a life full of confidence and authenticity
Make peace with your reflection and feel comfortable in your own skin
Show up confidently in your business and life, no matter your shape or size
Finally embrace your body, wear what you love, and pursue your dreams without fear of judgment
What’s Included:
6 transformative modules
Audio training, EFT videos, and additional resources
Workbooks and step-by-step guides
Invest in yourself today – Just £27 (On sale from £97)
This is your chance to stop letting your body image hold you back. Start the transformation now and unlock the confidence to live life and run your business on your own terms.
Ready to change?
Here's to your success - your style!
Emma x
P.S. If you’d love support to no longer let how you feel about your body hold you back, check out this course! It’s currently on sale for just £27 and can seriously change you life AND business!