7 Ways to Know If You’re Showing Up As An Authentic Entrepreneur

Showing up as an authentic entrepreneur offers 7 insights let you know if you’re heading in the right direction. Here’s what I know. Authenticity is raw and real — the pulse of the UnBrand built from your sacred self-identity through Spiritual Personality Typing, so everything from your mission, marketing, and messaging is in harmony with your true self! It’s always characteristically YOU!

Did You Know 85% of Us Aren’t Self-Aware

Did you know 85% of us aren’t all that self-aware? This begs the question then how do we show up authentically in our business?  This is what this post hopes to solve!

UnBranding, my definition; as a business owner insists on you being present with your true self which awakens your unique way of being in, and contributing to the world. I’m convinced that personality typing without spiritual understanding is an incomplete truth. A soulless path that’s lacking in Divine direction, meaning, purpose, wisdom, and enlightened action. And yes, authenticity.

Businesses that stand the test of time aren’t offering just another great product or service. These owners have built a meaningful business centered around trust, truth, and personal values. What’s bewildering is that many of us don’t have clarity about who we really are. Being truly authentic can be confounding. And it’s not just a logical or fact based situation.

I believe it’s a soul-led endeavor, a release of false beliefs, and a commitment to develop an ongoing, conscious creation to fully develop your distinct personal philosophy.

How can you tell if you’re on a path of authentic entrepreneurship? Here are seven ways to assess whether you’re staying true to yourself and showing up in your business as an authentic entrepreneur.

Authentic entrepreneurship is not seeking perfectionist is about accepting who you truly are – Nina Zapala, Author & Founder of Spiritual Personality Typing. Need support book a session.

1. Release Attachments to Outcomes: To Show Up As An Authentic Business Owner

This is the ego wanting to control what will be, which is impossible as we are part of a bigger picture that’s beyond our control. We spend so much time; in self-doubt, worrying, obsessing and blaming ourselves that we miss the opportunities that are coming along.

Authenticity is following Divine flow, being present in your business and letting things come naturally, not forcing, and recognizing the power in Divine timing. Nope it’s often not logical, it’s more serendipitous, led by the wise inner guide, the trusted guru within, that already knows what’s best for you–always working in your favor. Your true path!

2. Lead With Vulnerability: Embrace Failure

Authenticity doesn’t mean you bury the past ignoring challenges, failed projects or painful outcomes. Without compassion for yourself, and embracing your vulnerability; being open with your team, customers and partners, is honest and authentic.  It means being real, owning it all, flaws, and quirks alike. 

Embrace vulnerability with vendors, employers and customers. When you show up in this way you invite trust and truth that no marketing campaign can deliver. Share the struggles you’re facing as a business owner, and let people know that failure is part of an evolving business  journey, or dare I say strategy?. Leading with vulnerability, allows you to hold space for others to connect with you on a human level, fostering harmonizing relationships and trust.

3. Your Purpose Is Front and Center When Your Show Up As An Authentic Entrepreneur 

A heart-centered business is authentic to the core as it reflects a strong sense of purpose. Here’s the rub, your business should be an extension of what excites and motivates you. If you can’t answer these questions. Here’s a tip: explore your Myers-Briggs type. Zero in on your dominant function (your primary personality trait). 

From a spiritual typology perspective I believe this to be your North Star. Your guiding light, it will help you get a sense of your purpose. If you want to learn more, grab a copy of my debut book; Unpack Your Personality Type: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide. It introduces spiritual typology; the soul’s role in personality typing plus it defines your travel persona presenting travel hacks on best places to visit, stay, and play. Click here for more.

Authentic business owners are driven by passion. Whether it is innovation, helping others, problem solving, or bringing joy, happiness, wellness  to the world. It’s genuine. Customers and employees alike can feel that energy, which translates into loyalty, engagement, and overall success. If you find yourself working on a project that no longer excites you or feels disconnected from your core values, it might be time to reassess.

Everything from your mission, marketing, and messaging is in harmony with your true self! It’s always characteristically YOU! That’s the way of the UnBrand.

4. You Believe You’re Not Good Enough: Not a Belief Of An Authentic Entrepreneur

You think I’m not good enough, spiritual enough, smart enough which feeds self-doubt, the false self, the ego. Translation, you are not operating your business from your true self. You’re probably comparing yourself, procrastinating, afraid to make a mistake, believing others are perfect..

No one has your genius it’s one-of-a-kind.  Unlocking your soul wisdom will unleash your true calling; the purpose path you are meant to share with the world. A  few ideas to realize your authenticity. I believe the journey to you begins with self-reflection, studying your personality type, and questioning everything. This takes a stillness practice, meditation and lot’s of journaling.

5. Practice What You Preach: Staying True To You

One of the hallmarks of authenticity is integrity. If you’re preaching transparency, sustainability, work-life balance, or other values, you need to live those principles. For example, if you promote a product as eco-friendly, ensure that your business practices align with that message—whether it’s through sourcing, packaging, or waste management. If you talk about creating a positive company culture, make sure your actions within your business reflect that. 

One of the hallmarks of authenticity is integrity. Authentic entrepreneurs don’t just talk the talk—they walk the walk, no matter what’s trending!

When you value others’ expectations, you’re likely to make decisions based on what others are doing, often attracting the wrong clientele.

6. Stop Relying On External Validation

When you value others’ expectations, you’re likely to make decisions based on what others are doing, often attracting the wrong clientele. You seek external sources; social media, business pundits, competitors and look to see what they think. You grab hold of whatever it is and apply it to your business. Which never really works as you aren’t being you, You’ve negated your God-given genius within. Your true North Star, the Divine  light within that is meant to shine. 

Becoming authentic helps you come face to face with your ego realizing that you are so much more. It takes commitment and deep spiritual work to bring to life the fractile of Divine Intelligence, a profound shift in your consciousness. It’s knowing you are a co-creator with the Divine, the breath of life that breathes through all living things.

7. Clarity is Undeniable When Showing Up As An Authentic Entrepreneur

 If we don’t know where we’re going, how are we going to get there? Seems like an obvious question, but only 15% of us fully understand who we really are, our direction in life, and what we truly desire. We get caught up in the business of life, that when we do take a moment, we are shocked at how little we understand ourselves.  Last but most importantly, is clarity. 

When you truly know yourself, you look within, trust your intuition and value yourself, knowing that you are worthy. You approach your business and client relationships knowing your value, approaching others with a sense of desire instead of a need. Validating you, is liberating and you attract the right clientele.

When You Do Things From Your Soul, You Feel A River Moving Through You, A Joy – Rumi

Thoughts To Ponder As An Authentic Entrepreneur

As an  authentic entrepreneur, invest in self-improvement —not just in terms of just studying the latest business trends, but to become a better business owner/employee/leader, and communicator, you must make time for the world of metaphysics.  When you understand self actualization  is also  part of your business journey you’ll embrace the true self, with as much vigor as the button line. 

Showing up as an authentic entrepreneur isn’t about fitting into a mold or adhering to someone else’s definition of success. Your success is defined by you.  It’s about aligning your actions, values, and purpose with your business in a way that feels true to you. When you lead with integrity, embrace vulnerability, and prioritize relationships, you’re creating a foundation for success that will resonate with customers, partners, and employees alike, both in story and online. By continuously assessing how you show up and ensuring you’re true to your values, you’ll not only build a successful business—but a meaningful one.

Being authentic in business and life means you are in step with your soul’s purpose!

This post: Is What We Know To Be Our Truth, Really Our Truth might also be of interest if you are on a self-awareness journey.

Clarity Session

You know what they say: “necessity is the mother of invention — reinvention.” After years on the psychiatrist’s couch, countless masterclasses, and working with various coaches, I still felt like something was off. I was struggling—lost without my voice, my vision, and any clear solution in sight.

Then came my life tsunami. It was through embracing spirit-driven teachings and the psychological tools of Dr. Nix, Ph.D., that I uncovered my true calling: Spiritual Personality Typing (SPT). This emerging typology is a roadmap to your authentic self, bridging your soul (higher consciousness) with your personality (the soul in action). It’s perfect for business who desire to successfully weather these transformative times.

I offer bespoke 1:1  clarity sessions that just may be what you need to stop merely living your life and start creating the life of your dreams!”  

Working with Nina helped me remove the blind spots that were holding me back”, Judith Wilms, TedX, Author. A bespoke clarity session maybe just what you need to stop living your life and instead create the life of your dreams!

Book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide

New here? Curious about travel personality typing? My debut book, Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide, is your gateway to discovering your true self through travel. This book serves as the ultimate toolkit, introducing an exciting personality framework rooted in spirituality.

Inside, you’ll uncover how the joys of travel provide the perfect playground for self-awareness, complete with reflective questions that guide you on your journey. Explore top destinations for adventure, relaxation, and inspiration, along with practical tips for leveraging your personality preferences to create more fulfilling getaways. By harmonizing the insights of your personality with your inner guide (your higher self), you can elevate your travel experiences, embracing both worldly wonders and divine transcendence.

For me, travel has become a powerful way to embody my true self, whether I’m exploring distant lands or my own backyard. Ready to embark on this journey?

Grab your copy here. 

Step Into The Pages of the Book with Moi! Schedule a personalized 1:1 session where we explore your travel personality in detail. 

Welcome, Friends… It’s Time for a New Life!

Ready to connect with an amazing community? Dive in and subscribe to enjoy educational, insightful and perspective shifting blogs that support a characteristically true self lifestyle.  A newsletter packed with practical tips and insights to help you understand yourself better. Don’t miss out—join today and embrace a true self lifestyle.

This community is all about helping find yourself and begin again. Let’s keep the conversation going on Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, or on YouTube.

For career women who think they can do it all, empty nesters you want to begin again and artful agers who have beautiful messages to share but aren’t clear with their messaging. I’ve got you! You’re never to young, or old to fully embrace who you’re meant to be.

The world needs YOU—not some version of you.

Discover Spiritual Personality Typing. It’s a new personality paradigm that helps you embody your true self. 

 

My purpose is to help you rethink how you see yourself and your business. What I now know is we don’t need more work; we need what works. 

Travel A Tonic for Self-Discovery

Can you see why I staunchly believe that travel is a tonic for the soul? Travel offers a real-time opportunity to observe your personality type in action. It’s an enriching environment—a living classroom for self-discovery—that exposes you to diverse experiences. This encourages self-reflection, fosters personal growth, and provides countless opportunities to step outside your comfort zone.

This post offers a sneak peek into my book, Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide. It’s part memoir (my story of self-discovery through travel), part introduction to Spiritual Personality Typing℠—a reimagining of Myers-Briggs (MBTI) through the lens of spiritual alignment—and part personalized travel guidebook. The idea is that all of these roads lead to self-discovery.

Please know that I curate these posts to be both meaningful and educational, designed to help you navigate the needs of your sacred personality type on the road, in business, and in life. If you’re interested in exploring your unique travel personality type, feel free to contact me me for a one-on-one travel session.

Ready To Get to Know Yourself

Want to Dive Deeper? I Got You

If this speaks to you even a little bit, check out my podcast interview Reinvention Rebels with host Wendy Battles
🎧  Reinvention at 66: Nina Zapala’s Journey to Embrace Imperfection and Ignite Her Purpose
👉 Listen here.

Thank you, Wendy, for believing in my mission — even before I fully believed in it myself. 🩵

Additional Resources:

👀  For additional learning watch more on my YouTube Channel. Click here.

🔖How to Embrace the Soul Self in Business: click here for the link.

🔖 How To Remove Layers of False Beliefs From Your Persona: read it here.

📚 Or grab a copy of my debut book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide

Who Is Nina Zapala?

Hey, I’m Nina Zapala—creator of Spiritual Personality Typing℠, a new way to connect your mind and spirit so you can actually show up as your real self. My mission? Plant seeds for a fresh kind of thinking—where self-expression isn’t just allowed, it’s unstoppable.

I’m also the mind behind the (un)Brand: a soul-first, zero-cookie-cutter approach for founders who are done with branding clichés and performance games. No more approval-chasing. No more shrinking to fit in. The (un)Brand helps you show up fully—characteristically authentic, unapologetic, and 100% you.