Okay, so yesterday I posted a funny, but mind boggling quote on Instagram:
I shared this because, while comical, it caused me to think about why I hold back on alot of the amazing ideas that I have. Did you read it? Burger King is out here making TACOS!!! 🌮🌮🌮
Why is this important? First of all, one of the first rules of branding is that your name should say something about you. ‘Burger’ is in it’s name! So naturally you would associate them with, well…burgers! Not only that, their name is Burger King, so that would lead us to believe that, not only do they serve burgers, but they are the best (king) at it.
So how, then, does a company that wants us to believe that they have the best burgers, decide that they want to sell…tacos?! 🤯 Wait…isn’t that what TACO BELL serves?! Exactly! Okay, I’m about to tell you some MAJOR lessons that I learned from Burger King’s decision to sell tacos (for a limited time only, lol)
1. When You Do Something Out Of The Box, People Will Notice!
I don’t even eat Burger King. Nothing against it, I just don’t eat it. I think I may have been 12 the last time I’ve eaten a whopper. (Grandma made me eat it, lol) As a matter of fact, funny story, I went into labor with my son in the Burger King drive thru getting HER a whopper! Thinking about it now makes me laugh because she was insisting that I get something to eat and I was telling her that I don’t eat Burger King, lol. At the time I wasn’t eating beef, now I’m fully a vegetarian. Anyway, I said that to say, I noticed the commercial. Why? Because I couldn’t believe the audacity of Burger King to step on Taco Bell’s toes and make tacos! But guess what?! There’s NO RULE that says Taco Bell is the only franchise that can make tacos! I think we sometimes put limits on ourselves that stop us from exploring our options in other areas, just because someone else is doing it. Which leads me to my next point:
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Do Something Just Because Someone Else Is Doing It.
Back in the days (in the 80’s and 90’s) it was almost a CRIME to do something that someone else did first. It was called “bitting”. I’m shaking my head as I type, lol. 🤦🏽♀️ Bitting was when you saw something that someone else did and then you did it too. So like, if your friend bought a pair of sneakers, and you went and bought the same pair, you were considered a copycat or corny, because you “bit” off of them. (I’m laughing hard now) 🤣 All these unspoken rules that kept us so bound. Listen, I learned that if they make more than one of something, someone else is going to have it, and that’s okay. If you want exclusive stuff, you have to pay big money, or customize your stuff (which is what I do alot). But back then, bitting was forbidden. 🙅🏽♀️🚫❌
Soooooo, I will admit, I kind of gasped 🤭 when I saw the commercial for the taco. My first reaction was like, Really, Burger King?! You can’t be serious. BUT, then I was like: Wow, Burger King, that was a bold move! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 And I started to think. 🤔 How have I been holding back because I was afraid of not producing an original thought? How many times have I wanted to try something different, but was scared to be compared to someone that was already doing it or something similar? How many opportunities have I missed because I wasn’t confident enough in who I am to step into something unfamiliar?
Then I thought of something. 🧐 How many bread 🍞 companies are there? How many news 📰 stations are there? How many radio 📻 stations are there? How many clothing brands 👔👗 are there? Countless! Why??? Because everyone presents something from their perspective! 🗣🗣🗣 And that is OKAY!!! LET ME FREE YOU TODAY: You are not a fraud, a phony, or a biter! You are a unique individual, with a unique perspective! And that is what needs to be shared with the world! FEARLESSLY!!!
3. Sometimes You Gotta Surprise Folks!
Listen, sometimes you gotta surprise folks! You gotta switch the game up and keep them guessing! Don’t be so predictable all the time. Yes, be consistent, reliable, and trustworthy…BUT don’t be held captive to one idea! The Pepsi company makes more than Pepsi Cola! They make 7up, Brisk, Oatmeal, Lays Chips, DORITOS 😲, Aquafina, Cheetos, and so much more than just Pepsi!!! Think about that…
Don’t be afraid to switch it up. The surprise factor will cause people to take another look at you. It will create a buzz and have people noticing you that never knew you existed.
That’s why I’m not afraid to wear Jordans to church. 👟 Or drink Starbucks when I’m speaking. ☕️ Or cut my hair and shave a heart on the side!!! 💇🏽♀️♥️ SURPRISE!!!! Okay?! Cause I am NOT going to be paralyzed by the perceptions of other people! (I Suffered for YEARS with that!) Oh Baby, but now….! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Freedom feels sooooo good! So, I embrace the surprises and I LIVE!
So, thank you Burger King 🍔🌮, because now your girl is gonna be out here really showing up and showing all the way out!!! 💃🏽💁🏽♀️
I wanna hear from you: what is it that you would do if you really believed you were unstoppable?
Love, Crystal
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