The Journey to Authenticity
Authenticity is a journey…
And it is one that I’m still on. To be honest, it is one that I think I will be on for the rest of my life. Through this first year of business ownership, I have learned that a true sense of freedom is required before I can step fully into being my authentic self. Let me be clear: I am well aware that this freedom is a privilege that is not easily attained, which is why I started this blog. I want to write about my journey, experiences, and insights so that other luminaries on their own paths can have a journey steeped in ease.
So, back to authenticity. I was surprised by the number of things I had to unlearn as I have been on this journey. I didn’t notice it from the start, but as time went on, as I approached my business’s first anniversary, I began to realize that I ended up building the plantation I set out to break free from. There were so many habits that I learned, habits that were fit for survival throughout my career but were not fit for living in freedom—and certainly not authenticity.
Moving around these spaces, I learned early on that I needed to look outside of myself for the definition of appropriate, professional, successful, etc.—and those words were never defined as someone who shows up as me. Spending those years not being taken seriously unless I code-switch, put on my smiling "everything is fine, even if you disrespect me" mask, or just about burn my hair straight, it was ingrained in me that in order to be successful, I must be something very far from my authentic self. Now that I am in the space of running my own business, I am deciding that I do not want to exist like that. Not only is it degrading, but the mind-blowing realization that I have been acting as my own overseer is quite disgusting, and it is something I am not willing to do any longer.
As I’ve been redefining how I show up in my business, I’ve also reflected on how my business shows up in the world. That’s where the logo comes in. If authenticity is how I present myself, then the logo is the face Dream Talk Management wears—it’s the visual introduction before words are even spoken. It needed to represent not just what I do, but DTM’s philosophy and values. Designing it became more than just picking colors or shapes; it became an exercise in reclaiming freedom, a declaration of identity, and a reflection of the journey I’ve been on, as the founder.
When I first designed a logo for my business, my focus was on standing out as “professional”. I followed the common advice: "Look at the competition, see what’s been successful for others, and align with the standard." But there’s an irony in that advice—you're told to stand out while making sure you fit in at the same time. That tension made me realize I wasn’t fully representing who I was or what Dream Talk Management (DTM) stood for.
With this new logo, I had to ask myself: How does DTM show up authentically? Here’s the answer I found when designing it:
The Lotus Flower symbolizes:
Wisdom: The courage to be honest with yourself when you’re not living the life you’re called to live, and the humility to recognize when it’s time to learn something new.
Strength: The resilience to continue on your journey, to keep feeding the flames of your dreams, and to carry wisdom with grace.
Purity: The intentional act of washing away habits and mindsets that don’t serve your growth—releasing what holds you back to make room for what lifts you up.
The lotus itself is nature’s purposeful design—a balance of softness and strength, beauty and function. It grows through the mud, yet blooms untouched by the murkiness below.
The Ascending Flame represents:
The Flame: A guiding light, illuminating the path ahead, even through the darkest moments.
Ascension: The rising motion of the flame, symbolizing growth over time—not just for yourself, but as a beacon that lights the way for others, too.
Together, the lotus and the flame are more than just images. They are a visual manifestation of my journey, my values, and my commitment to authenticity—not just for me, but for every dreamer, doer, and luminary I serve through DTM.
I introduce you, again, to Dream Talk Management.
