Believe in Your Brand — Even When No One Else Does

When I first started Uncle Clarence BBQ, I had this picture in my head.
I imagined my friends and family cheering me on, supporting every step, sharing my vision for what this brand could become.

I thought about all the doors this company could open — not just for me, but for others.
I believed everyone would see the dream I saw.

Reality check:
There’s one true believer in your business at the start — you.

You have to believe in your vision more than anyone else.
Not your mom, your brother, your best friend, or your old coworker.
You.

Sure, you might get a few ride-or-die supporters early on. But most people won’t see what you see. Some will doubt you. Others will think you’re wasting your time. And some will quietly hope you succeed but never lift a finger to help you get there.

That’s why your belief is the fuel that keeps the engine running.

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Your Name Is on the Line

Years ago, I worked in telecommunication construction as a lead.
I had a crew under me, and whenever we turned in paperwork, my name was on it.

If the job was done well, my name opened the door for more work.
If the job was done poorly, my name took the hit — no matter who on the crew made the mistake.

It’s the same in business.
Your brand’s credibility is only as strong as your name and the trust you’ve built.

That trust takes years to build… and only seconds to destroy.

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The Customers Are the Real Board Members

When you’re a small business, you know every customer matters.
You put time into packaging. You respond personally to messages. You treat every order like it’s the most important one.

Somewhere along the road to becoming “big,” many companies forget this.
They focus more on investors and board members… and forget who the real board members are: the customers.

Customers decide the fate of your company every single time.
If they don’t buy, there’s no revenue. If they lose trust, there’s no business.

Nobody blames the investors when a brand falls short — they look straight at you, the owner.

That’s why I tell my son: When you walk out of this house, you represent me and your mother.
At 50 years old (and now about to be 51), I still represent my parents. The way I act in public — the respect I give, the words I choose — reflects back on how I was raised.

Your brand is no different.
It is your “child” in the marketplace.
When people interact with it, they’re seeing you. They’re seeing how you’ve “raised” it. And they will judge accordingly.

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From Seed to Tree

Building a brand is like planting a seed in a garden.

You know what you planted. Others just see dirt.

They might even laugh at you for watering it every day. But you keep showing up — tending to it, feeding it, protecting it.

One day, a tiny sprout breaks through. Some people might stop and say, “Cute, you’ve got a little plant.” They still don’t see the vision.

Years later, it’s a strong, fruit-bearing tree.
Now they want peaches.
Now they want to be part of it.

But you knew the vision from day one. And you fought for it.

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Fight for Your Brand

Whether you own a business or work your way up the corporate ladder, your vision is your responsibility.

Stand on your line. Defend it.
Learn from feedback but stay true to your core.
Remember that your name, your credibility, and your customers’ trust are everything.

Here at Uncle Clarence BBQ, we’ll keep putting everything on the table until there’s nothing left. That’s how much we believe in this brand. Whether you support us or not, we’ll still be here — because this is bigger than a business.

It’s a legacy.

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Your turn:
What’s the line you’ve drawn for your dream?
How are you protecting your vision when others don’t see it yet?
And most importantly — who are your real board members?

Let’s talk about it in the comments.