In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, I sit down with Tori Barker, founder of Creative Marketing, a digital marketing agency focused on helping coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs increase their visibility and grow their businesses.

Tori shares her journey from spending 15 years in corporate marketing to accidentally becoming an entrepreneur in 2019. What started as freelance work quickly evolved into a full-fledged agency built around helping “best-kept secret” business owners become seen, heard, and recognized in their industries.

Along the way, Tori realized that many of the beliefs she carried from her corporate career—like the idea that simply working hard will lead to recognition and advancement—didn’t always hold true. Instead, she discovered that success often requires adaptability, visibility, and the willingness to rethink long-held assumptions about work and leadership.

We talk about how shifting perspective, challenging internal narratives, and embracing growth can transform both business and personal confidence.

We explore:

- Why hard work alone doesn’t always lead to recognition
- How perspective shapes what we believe is “hard” in business
- The reality of imposter syndrome—even after years of experience
- Why leadership works better when you individualize how you work with people
- The dangers of micromanaging and becoming the bottleneck in your own company
- How slowing down can actually create more clarity and better decision-making

Tori also shares how changing the way she starts her day—moving away from the constant urgency of email and task lists—helped her show up more intentionally as a business owner and leader. By giving herself time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with her purpose, she found a healthier and more effective way to grow her business.

This conversation is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t about following someone else’s formula for success. Sometimes the most powerful shift is simply giving yourself permission to slow down, trust your experience, and build a business that works for you.

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