EPISODE 269

Stop copying and start trusting yourself

Let’s talk about something a little uncomfortable - but incredibly common.

Copying other people.

Not intentionally. Not maliciously.

Just… unconsciously doing things the way your mentors, peers, or industry say you should.

In this week’s Chill & Prosper, I’m unpacking where copycatting shows up most often - and how to gently break free from it without shame or embarrassment.

We talk about:
✨ Copying pricing (and why it’s rarely aligned)
✨ Business models that work for others but drain you
✨ Marketing “rules” that make you want to disappear
✨ How money archetypes influence what actually suits you
✨ Why it’s safe to design a business your own way

You’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re just ready to trust yourself more.

xx Denise

P.S. If this episode is hitting a nerve, it’s probably a sign you’re ready to stop copying and start building a business that actually fits you.

My once-a-year business coaching program, Sacred Money Archetypes® Live, is now open, and this is exactly what we do inside - refine your offers, marketing, and business model based on your natural strengths so things feel simpler and more effective.

👉 Click here to find out more and join us

Prefer to read?

Here is the transcript for this episode:

Hi friend. Today we’re talking about a slightly touchy topic: unconsciously copycatting other people in business.

This isn’t about calling anyone out or making anyone feel bad, because honestly, I’ve done this so many times myself. The point is to notice where we might be unconsciously following rules, copying our mentors, our industry, or our peers, and to question whether those choices are actually right for us.

When I first started my business, I made so many decisions based on what my mentors were doing. Little branding choices, the way people wrote things, fonts, colours, pricing, business models—you name it. It felt exciting and safe to follow what seemed to be working for other people.

But what we really want is to create businesses that feel authentic and aligned with who we are.

A big area where this shows up is pricing.

I’ve done this too. When I first launched Money Bootcamp, I priced it the same as Marie Forleo’s B-School because it felt safe. It felt like surely someone else had done the maths and figured out the “right” number.

A lot of people do this by:

• copying someone else’s pricing
• averaging prices in their industry
• asking Facebook groups what they should charge
• basing pricing on what they would personally pay

The problem is, you have no idea what someone else’s pricing is based on. It might be based on their own money blocks, outdated beliefs, random assumptions, or a completely different business model.

Crowdsourcing pricing can be just as unhelpful. Sometimes you’re asking people who would never be your client. Sometimes people simply aren’t in the market for what you offer, so their opinion isn’t relevant.

Pricing has to come from you.

There is no criticism-proof price. There is no magical number that everyone will agree is fair, generous, affordable, and perfect. That doesn’t exist.

Different clients have different price sensitivities, and different business owners position themselves differently in the market.

For example:

• Nurturers and Connectors may undercharge because they want to be liked or accessible
• Accumulators may base prices on what they would pay, even though they love bargains and DIY solutions
• Rulers might focus on value through efficiency, growth, and results

Price is perception. Price is positioning. Price is part of your marketing.

Another big copycat trap is business model.

This one can be tricky because, especially when you’re starting out, you genuinely don’t know what works yet. So naturally, you look around and follow what mentors or peers are doing.

But just because a business model works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

You might have been taught:

• one-to-one services are the only way
• memberships are the holy grail
• masterminds are the best model
• passive income is the ultimate goal

But every business model suits different personalities differently.

For example, Mavericks often love excitement, novelty, and fast momentum. Selling a long-term mastermind might sound great in theory, but six weeks in they may be bored out of their minds and regretting the commitment.

Alchemists love generating ideas and starting new things, but may struggle with long-term consistency unless the structure allows creativity and variety.

Some people thrive in longer-term client relationships. Others need shorter commitments and flexibility.

There’s no universally “right” model. The important question is: what works for you?

It’s the same with marketing.

Every time a new marketing trend appears, it can feel exhausting. Suddenly you’re told:

• you need to be on TikTok
• you need to make video
• you need funnels
• you need webinars
• you need to follow this exact launch strategy

And it’s so easy to feel like you’re doing it wrong if you’re not keeping up.

But marketing can actually be much simpler.

At its core:

• share what you know
• make offers

That’s it.

Sharing what you know builds trust. That might be through social media, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, or any content format that works for you.

Making offers simply means telling people what you sell.

There are lots of nuances within that, but the foundation is simple.

I’ve absolutely tried marketing strategies that mentors recommended that felt completely wrong for me. I remember trying certain selling methods that felt so out of integrity I practically wanted to vomit.

And when something feels that misaligned, it’s hard to show up consistently.

The better question is:
What will you actually do?

Because consistency with something that feels natural will always outperform forcing yourself into someone else’s strategy.

If video feels easy for you, amazing.

If writing is your thing, do that.

If speaking lights you up, lean into that.

There isn’t one perfect way.

The reason we copycat so often is because we want certainty. We want to do the “right” thing. We want reassurance that we won’t fail.

But sometimes copying is just a sign that we haven’t yet given ourselves permission to trust our own instincts.

Sometimes we also copy because of internal rules:

• I’m too old
• I’m too young
• I’m not qualified enough
• My industry doesn’t do things that way
• I can’t make things easier for myself

But so much of that is fear, conditioning, or internalised beliefs—not actual truth.

Business won’t always be effortless, but it can be less stressful. It can be more aligned, more sustainable, and much more enjoyable when you stop trying to force yourself into someone else’s version of success.

You really do have permission to design your business in a way that feels right for you.

Sometimes that means small tweaks. Sometimes it means big pivots.

But it’s safe to question the rules.

And it’s safe to do things differently.