Last week I canceled $200,000 worth of sponsorships. Here's why.

I recently canceled $200,000 worth of brand sponsorships. This video walks through the decision-making process and its leading-up to it, as well as the lessons I learned from my own mentors and the resources that helped guide me through it.
My goal in sharing this video is to give you more insight into the reality of brand sponsorships and how hard "being authentic" can be.
This was an expensive and risky decision. At the same time, it's given me a lot more peace as I navigate this journey of self-discovery.
Thank you for being here and watching this video.
♡ What's in this video:
00:00 Sponsorships First Impression
00:35 Call with Brand Manager
03:38 Why I'm Making This Video
04:11 #1: Labels Create Rules
05:55 Beyonce and Taylor Swift Example
06:45 A Niche May Limit Your Creativity
08:56 Walking Away is a Privilege
09:56 #2: Employee vs. Owner Mindset
10:52 Vanessa's Mentor's Perspective
11:56 Why I Still Don't Feel Financially Safe
13:28 The Opportunity Cost of Thinking in Monthlys
14:39 Service Provider Example
16:51 #3: The Pressure to Deliver
17:53 Real Life Sponsorship Example
19:56 #4: Know Yourself, Know Your Enemies
23:23 Risks of Saying No
♡ Resources Mentioned:
My Brand Management Company: legendsmarketing.co/
Creative Act Book (Rick Rubin): geni.us/bATQx
♡ My 2024 KZbin Equipment:
Camera (Sony) ➡︎ geni.us/IE6Jp
Camera Lens (Ultra Wide) ➡︎ geni.us/yoUwyf
Microphone ➡︎ geni.us/K8APy
Tripod ➡︎ geni.us/waoPFB
Lighting ➡︎ geni.us/gWkHG
Lantern Softbox ➡︎ geni.us/MAAmAz
Lighting Stand ➡︎ geni.us/APrj
Dummy Battery ➡︎ geni.us/nM2tiqm
Bluetooth Remote ➡︎ geni.us/7DHX
SD Card ➡︎ geni.us/1AQ2Wlb
Vlog Camera (DJI) ➡︎ geni.us/mebO0
Vlog SD Card ➡︎ geni.us/RlKvM
Check out ALL my equipment here: kit.co/vanessalau.co
♡ Products:
📷 Shop all my KZbin gear: kit.co/vanessalau.co
👚 Shop all my clothes & lifestyle: www.shopltk.com/explore/vanes...
♡ KZbin Optimization Tools I Use:
www.tubebuddy.com/vanessalauco
Use “vanessasbuddy” to get 20% off all licenses
♡ Stay Connected:
♥️ Subscribe to my channel for more: kzbin.info?su...
💛 Follow me on Instagram: / vanessalau.co
💌 For business inquiries: [e-mail]

[@VanessaLau]

Anyone have experience with brand sponsors they want to share in the comment section below? My goal in sharing this video is to give you more insight into the reality of brand sponsorships and how "being authentic" as a Creator can be much harder than it sounds. This was definitely a risky AF, privileged, and personal decision - but ultimately I think it was the best move for me in this new chapter I'm embarking on. PS: I really want to shout out my brand manager, Bryon, from legendsmarketing.co, for being so supportive in my decision (I know he will watch this video lol!).

[@BryonDeters]

Thanks Vanessa ❤ you’re the best!

[@blueridgerealtor]

Even though my husband’s channel is small he has had an innumerable amount of businesses contact him to pay/ or give products in exchange for a review. His channel is growing fast now and these companies want to jump on the band wagon. He has told most of them no or that he will personally test for a while and if it’s quality and something he’d use then he may promote it. Most of them don’t continue communication after that. It shocks me how many creators sell out and promote garbage. I help my husband all the time with his channel. It’s a small channel because he applied most of his efforts in growing another business from 80k subscribers to almost 400k. Do what you love and be authentic. My husband has never sold out and never will! He refused to create videos because it’s a popular topic. He constructs them because he feels from his heart that people need to hear the information.

[@blueridgerealtor]

My husband has a small KZbin channel and has refused many paid sponsorships or free products in exchange for a review. Almost every time that my husband responds and informs them that he has to personally use the product for a while to make sure that it’s of quality. Communication usually stops with that reply. These companies see that his channel is growing fast now that we’ve gotten serious about applying a lot of effort into elevating it. It surprises me how many content creators promote garbage that they wouldn’t use. Be true and authentic. Best wishes!

[@wesleymosier5266]

This is very inspiring and reassuring to see, Vanessa! I’m currently grinding away in online sales and had an idea to work with influencers to help them monetize their OWN audience and focus on the business side for them…and after hearing your story it encourages me to feel this may be something that’s needed so they can have creative freedom! I appreciate the video and you have a new subscriber now! 🎉

[@KnitWithHannah]

I have had so many offering sponsorships, and so many I refused. Then last autumn the ‘perfect’ one appeared, not insisting I do major sharing of their projects, just to use them in videos. It completely blocked me and for other reasons too I’ve not made videos for months now. I really am wondering what niche, what subjects, where I go from here etc etc.Pretty much decided to go back without sponsorships. Am reading Rick Rubin’s book atm too, really inspiring, taking it slowly, the journey will continue. Thanks for addressing this in a video - good to see it’s not just me.

[@ZdenkaDarula]

I LOVE YOUR AGENT!!!!! I was highly impressed how he understood and accepted your decision. I love how supportive he is... that is one good agent.

[@VanessaLau]

He’s freakin amazing

[@JenPhelps]

As a beauty content creator I used to do a lot of sponsorships and I admit...the money was great. But it made me feel like I was boxed in and couldn't create the type of content that I wanted. I hated the deadlines and having to deal with brands making changes or approving my content. It was starting to feel more like a job than a passion project which is what it started out being for me. I don't regret it at all.

[@RynnCox]

Just checked out your channel and subscribed! I used to loveeee makeup and style and then after kids and “losing” the body I’ve always known just gave up. The past month I’ve started dabbling into beauty and fashion again. Found my colors and going from there! Even been rocking bold lips! All that to say I’m really excited to indulge in your content and see unbiased and even drug store reviews for this mama rediscovering her beauty life on a budget!

[@VanessaLau]

100%! I see so many sponsored videos I thought this would be a walk in the park, but it’s definitely harder to manage than expected, especially if you’re a creative at heart and don’t work well with specific deadlines and constraints. Thank you for sharing your story with us!!

[@achavedeacesso]

Do you know what I feel when I watch you new videos? It feels like I'm you BEST friend and you are telling me what you're going through and we are overcoming it TOGETHER! Really! It is BEAUTIFUL what you're doing. Thank you SO MUCH, Vanessa. Just like the brand manager said, you're channel will still grow. And I hope you hit 1M very SOON!!!! Wish you ALL the best in the universe!

[@VanessaLau]

Thank you!!! The mindset shift of being a student again has definitely relaxed me a bit more. I appreciate this comment so much especially because I was a bit scared to share this video!! Thank you Dom

[@ShECommerce_official]

💯💯💯

[@stevejones-mg5gq]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BlaQFireNation]

So proud of you for showing us that our mental health & authenticity is more important than money. Thank you Vanessa

[@VanessaLau]

Thank you! It’s def not a decision everyone has the privilege to make, but it’s still an important side of decision making to share. Especially when the opportunities seem so high stake and your authenticity really gets tested!

[@sheiskaylinha]

I feel like a lot of what you’re experiencing is the battle between the business mindset and the creative mindset. I struggle between wanting to be smart, calculated, everything having purpose to grow bigger, be better, and being free, doing what I want, letting inspiration take me, being fearless. It’s hard and I don’t have an answer yet how to balance the two but I guess we will all figure it out for ourselves eventually 😊 thank you for sharing your thoughts it helps me break mine down as well!

[@VanessaLau]

10000%. This is why I feel for musicians / artists. Do we create mainstream top 100 music? Or do we create music that feeds our soul? The best and most lucky artists are the ones that have a super strong fan base that like them for THEM (ie: Taylor swift, beyonce) - which empowers the artist to explore and try new genres, styles, etc. I think that fan base is created because these artists are excellent at telling stories, sharing pieces of themselves outside of just music, etc. Anyways, I do hope we all "figure it out", but maybe instead of feeling like there's a final destination, we perhaps just enjoy the journey of figuring it out :)

[@sheiskaylinha]

@@VanessaLau Yes! Let’s chase progress over perfection! Also ironically The Creative Act is what has been jump starting this mental shift for me too!

[@priscadera]

That part, enjoy the journey while figuring things out I think I’m on this space now

[@FaeiryneFaun]

GIRL YES. I denied a sponsorship from a multi million dollar company because I realized it wasn't the route that was healthiest for me or where I want to go with my career. That was like, 3 years ago and I don't regret it for a second. Boundaries are SO important.

[@VanessaLau]

This is such a valuable share. I don't think influencers or creators talk about this enough or document this side enough! I thought it would be so easy because of all the sponsored content I see, but it didn't FEEL good while doing it. So I'm slowing down to figure out what I WANT first before I dive back in. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!

[@Crystal-mn9rk]

Absolutely. As a content creator, if you don't find joy in creating content for yourself or fail to recognize its inherent value, why would your audience find it enjoyable or worth their time to watch, or even follow you.

[@Christopher-side_dude-Murican]

🧢

[@itsallmonifa]

@Christopher-side_du How so?

[@ralphtyndall]

The portion about Employee vs Owner mindset was so helpful to hear. As a self-employed business owner I've found myself trying to measure everything in months and when I have a "bad" month it's hard not to get down on myself, but that's such an unrealistic way to measure your success as a business owner.

[@DrapersDoingRenos]

This hit me so hard too!

[@ThePunkRockMBA]

Vanessa, thank you so much for this! It’s exactly what I needed to hear right now. I’m SO burned out for all the reasons you talked about here

[@VanessaLau]

You are so welcome!! Like you DMed me, we often say yes even when we don’t *need* to. I’m so glad this created a sense of release and awareness for you. Rooting you on :)

[@KarenMarieBeyond]

Vanessa!!! First of all...I'm a musician/singer. The way my eyes popped open and my mouth dropped when you started talking about music!!!!!!! I'm loving this version of you. Please keep the honesty coming. It's so helpful!

[@VanessaLau]

Omg LOL!! I love talking about music. I look to the music industry a lot for inspiration and seeing how artists navigate the business side while balancing their creativity and try to maintain relevancy. It’s so interesting to me!

[@JennLloyd]

My girl you’re teaching us right now! You are a beautifully talented soul teacher….you’re niche is exactly what you’re talking about the niche is you! You are your niche! ❤ thank you for sound mind, real heart, truthful lessons in your videos…. I didn’t follow you before cuz I didn’t even know you yet.. I recently was shown a video by KZbin and it was your first video back from a year off… I followed you on that video and have enjoyed all your videos thus far and how you teach is a complete blessing. You’re amazing! Great inspiration especially for anyone who’s thinking of starting a channel you have real footage real life experience… and, can come from a place from then to now… and, it’s very important info we need!!!

[@Ashliliii]

As a fellow content creator, I am on the same path to authenticity as you. I have been for the past three years and am still recalibrating to this day. You have articulated what many of us have been going through in such a beautiful and honest way. Thank you so much for what you do, Vanessa. 💖

[@JohnnyQ]

This was really cool to see. Appreciate your honesty. Love your content!

[@mrmoeezali]

Okay, what I said earlier was before I made a comment too soon, this video is another brilliant value packed video. It's hard to find creators being genuine and REAL these days. It feels like everyone is a grifter, and this video comes from the heart! That is what makes it SO POWERFUL! Another Great video Vanessa!

[@ohheyvoid]

We were in the freelance game for years, the lockdowns forced us to make the "employee to owner" mindset. The "paradigm shifting/shadow work" that has to happen is totally a journey and it's been amazing watching you share yours with us. We only just found you on your return - and every video since you've been back has really resonated and helped validate emotions/fears/expectations we have as well. Thank you for sharing your journey in such a practical, honest, and beautiful way.

[@ryanrmrz]

It's so incredible seeing you document your journey through this Vanessa! The messy part of life, of discovering who you are, of serving whilst learning about yourself... This is true leadership, and you're a great example of what people are going through in the world; the mental struggles people are having and the identity crisis many experience. Being asian and serving a lot of asians too, I've seen the same issues pop up over and over again... like working hard to feel successful, taking care of others before ourselves, caring what other people think, never feeling good enough, acting in ways to feel loved and not alone, etc. The most challenging (yet most fulfilling) journey is the one within. And I see you doing that, and sharing it with us all. What a blessing and gift that is for your audience 🎁 Thank you! And know that you're supported in more ways than you think! You've got this. Continue following your highest passion, and let your inspiration and joy guide you to what's next ☺✨ Sending love and gratitude 🙏💛

[@GeorgeKevin81]

I will be forever grateful to you, you changed my whole life and I will continue to preach on your behalf for the whole world to hear you saved me from huge financial debt with just a small investment, thank you Belinda dawn

[@felicia814]

Wow. I'm a bit perplexed seeing her been mentioned here also Didn’t know she has been good to so many people too this is wonderful, I'm in my fifth trade with her and it has been super.

[@JohnLewis431]

Isn't that the same Belinda dawn that my neighbors are talking about, she has to be a perfect expert for people to talk about her so well.

[@NavasCrawford]

As a beginner what do I need to do? How can I invest, on which platform? If you know any please share.

[@GeorgeKevin81]

She's on the telegrams

[@GeorgeKevin81]

MITCHELL110 💯..that's it

[@iamlashawnda]

Girl! I am here for all of these type of videos!!! Thank you for being so willing to share this with us!

[@TheWellnessTrinity]

I’m really enjoying watching this more aligned and authentic side of you emerge! Thanks for sharing all this recent heartfelt content 💗💕

[@angelobowden]

Love the transparency Vanessa! Really shows your growth as a content creator & shows you’re being true to yourself ❤️🙏🏽🙌🏽

[@lifebyjamie]

Breath of fresh air this type of vunerability and behind the scenes insight of navigating it all! Thanks for sharing Vanessa! Wishing you all the best on your self discovery journey! ❤

[@BlaQFireNation]

I love how you’re documenting your journey Vanessa’

[@VanessaLau]

Me too! It’s taken a lot of the pressure off, I’m having more fun with it, and filming videos is a lot faster than before because I’m not overthinking it as much. Thank you!

[@claireli]

I rarely leave comments but this is super insightful and refreshing!thank you for thinking long-term, staying authentic no matter what and being an inspiration!

[@jayhoovy]

Proud of doing what's best for you Vanessa! And so excited to see where your journey takes you! Just know we're all here to support you the whole way through ❤

[@yourworldinenglish]

I feel so honored to be able to watch you take this journey. Your honestly and vulnerability is so refreshing, and it actually makes me respect you MORE as an authority figure in this space. I would love to hear more about your mentor and manager one day! The idea of scaling up my business really intimidates me. I know I can't do it alone, but I have NO idea where to start, or even if this is the right time to do so. Thanks again, Vanessa

[@VanessaLau]

I find that documenting your journey and sharing your lessons and successes attract people who want to help you. For example, the mentor I featured in this video is someone who’s been watching my videos and saw an opportunity to help. We actually started as friends at first, and then overtime realized he was becoming a mentor. We only formalized the relationship this past month. As for the brand manager, they emailed me and reached out! As for finding help in general, some of my past coaches were found through instagram, KZbin… people that shared content that I resonated with. Most times they offer coaching support (some don’t, and that’s okay). In the beginning, I found finding a coach or course to help with a SPECIFIC result to be the most valuable. And then overtime as I grew, I found I needed more general life coaching. Growing a business is tough, there’s a lot of analysis paralysis so I understand how you feel!

[@almabradford]

Vanessa - are you reading my mind girl? The timing of this is too perfect. I am going through the same thing. Thank you for being so authentic and sharing the hard truths that we all need to hear. 🥰

[@VanessaLau]

I figured if I’ve experienced the weight and pressure of this, others might too in various capacities. You’re so welcome!

[@forevergwladys]

Your vulnerability is so appreciated, Vanessa. Keep doing what is right for you, so that the stars can align! Forever rooting for you 💛

[@VentureWithEleonore]

its so refreshing to have a leading youtube creator speak on this heart focused content creation!!!! would love for algorithm to be influenced from this more intuitive heart centered content creation rather than all the 'norm' 'right way' we hear of. Thank you for your courage!! 💜

[@NEESHiMinaj]

I’ve been following you for a while but this new chapter of your journey as a creator is unprecedented and I’m so appreciative of how candid you’re being. Thank you!

[@summersinafrica]

We are so appreciative of you sharing this part of your life with us. I love your editing with these videos. You are doing great! Your messages are very powerful and much needed.

[@SocialChannelStudios]

It's Vanessa's unwavering transparency in her vlogs that keeps us coming back for more. We love you GIRL!

[@VanessaLau]

Thank you !!! Ugh the other side of this is the amount of anxiety I sometimes feel when publishing these types of videos because they feel so vulnerable, but yall always show up for me and show up with so much love. Thank you!!

[@techpodssocial]

Whilst I’m nowhere near the point of my content creation journey in getting sponsorships…I love your reflection and intentionality around the deals you picked to be authentic to your audience. It definitely helps to establish trust with your subscribers! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@biagalletti]

I really love this era of you! Thank you for sharing!

[@ayngelina]

Another fantastic video that is so much more valuable than your older videos because no one else is doing this. Talking about money and fear is something no one talks about but we all feel. I loved the clip from your coach, it was such great perspective. Keep going!

[@omastime]

This is timely ❤. Thank you for being brave. It’s not easy

[@SleepWellRX-RobynScottPharmD]

Love your transparency Vanessa, thank you so much!

[@EliseRoseCrochet]

I am so proud of you for being brave enough to talk about these things in a way I've never seen another creator do before. I'm thinking about things in a new way thanks to you! ❤❤❤

[@TheFinanceEngineer]

Wow, I have so much respect for you it's insane. Love these videos. Keep being you 🤘🏽

[@richardwagner3317]

This was brutally honest. Thank you for sharing your logic, fears, and identifying issues you needed to get through in order to be ready for your future.

[@PiNkSuGaRx2Alicia]

i’ve REALLY enjoyed your authenticity and vulnerability on this journey. thanks for the quality documentation, im learning so much from you Vanessa

[@maria_usova]

Vanessa, that’s probably the best series of yours! Thank you so much for sharing your journey ❤️ I’m watching you since your first videos like in 2018 or 2019. And you were always so perfect. Which was also nice as inspiration. But now seeing you so real and raw is so relatable. I’m sure there are lots of people here who are not following you for insta tips. But who are here because of you as a person. There’re so many people who struggle with perfectionism, who want to create without niche, who put pressure on themselves and all. So, you sharing that might be even more valuable than insta tips. And can have actually so much impact ❤️

[@emotionsin5d]

Yes! This feels wholesome and more you :) thanks for sharing your lessons!

[@CreateWithCrystal]

This is very refreshing to hear because this is exactly what I have started to do with my own channel starting with the video I will post tomorrow and it's scary!

[@evolvingmundane]

I have seriously been in love with what you've been saying in these last few videos of yours! That book you're reading is life changing as I'm sure you can already tell. Keep doing what you're doing and thank you for it!! 🥰

[@CourtneyChaal]

Oh Vanessa I cannot even express how much mad respect I have for how you are sharing this journey while you are on it. I resonate so deeply with the state of "WTF is my business now?" after big shifts in my life and doing so publicly is scary AF. Love to you!!

[@ReadingwithRach]

Happy Monday Vanessa, I loved this video. It’s so nice to remind ourselves of the freedom we actually have. As humans it’s so easy to box ourselves in or allow others to box us in. The human brain desires labels, boxes and definitions to categorize aka understand. Understanding often gives us information to feel safe BUT what if we learn to feel safe without the labels. What if we learn to accept the unknown… whew got deep there for a second but I’m on a similar journey of healing and radical acceptance of self. It’s a gift to give ourselves and I’m so happy you are also working on this. Celebrating you for saying NO to something that wasn’t aligned and can’t wait to see what aligned opportunity it brings. Have a great week sis! 🖤🖤🖤

[@UpholsteryCraft]

Love that you’re back making content. It’s great that you can share the negative side to all this. Even better to see you navigating your way back to a better place

[@VanessaLau]

Thank you. It's just a different side I didn't expect to see and feel! Sponsorships are awesome, but when they don't feel 100% aligned or feel a bit too overwhelming, it can really create resistance for the Creator.

[@WildFloridian]

I LOVE the last couple of videos! Love the chit chats and the BTS footage of the zoom calls.

[@kittymogulco]

Absolutely loved this. Every feeling I've had as a creator for the past 2 years finally clicked. You're amazing! Will keep replaying this as many times as possible until it sinks in ✨🙌 Thank you

[@Handbagholic]

Really interesting point on the thinking about income by month. Love your raw honesty, sponsorships can be hard to turn down but also important to acknowledge yourself and your audience to make sure you're making the best decisions. Love you Vanessa!

[@calebbuchanan3267]

Vanessa, I am so proud of you! I appreciate your transparency about the developments, experiences and lessons these past years. I love your willingness to tell us the truth and the rationale to make incredibly courageous but wise decisions in the midst of incredibly tempting new invitations and opportunities! All the Best!

[@thecalumjohnsonshow]

Great video! Love how authentic and open you are with everything. Thank you

[@IamCynDoll]

I needed this so much!!! I’m in the same spot I’m safe we have no reason to be on grind mode but I’m up ready to hustle. This is the first video I’ve seen today. Confirmation! Monthly bondage over! ❤

[@BurnetteTech]

Its like I'm be prepared for when im successful. I'm far from it but hearing these stories really puts me in the right frame of mind. Thank you!

[@angedeebest]

You are such inspiration Vanessa! 😭🙏🎉 Just so real & straight forward! Myself & my friends always believe that everyone else has everything figured out. But, it's good to know, someone like you (through your vlogs of course) very successful is still feeling lost & relatable. You just don't follow the trend & making us realize that everything is not about just money. Thank you for BEING YOU. It means a lot! 😍🙏❤️ Keep it up & please stay strong! 🌸

[@SarahNicholls]

Really enjoyed this video, Vanessa. Thank you so much for sharing the behind the scenes reality with us ❤

[@BriLamberson]

So respect you for doing that. You’re making me want to cancel a brand deal that I have. You’re so inspiring and I can’t wait to read that book. Thank you for modeling what breaking free looks like.

[@EllaUng]

Vanessa! Thank you for this video, being so vulnerable and sharing your story! It takes alot of courage and STRENGTH that you have within you to be open and share this side of you being a successful content creator and entrepreneur, hats how I have always seen you as and you were my role model and inspiration that if an Asian women can build a sucessful business then that gives me hope as an Asian women myself that I can too. I resonated with everything you shared about growing up in an Asian culture and agree with what you said about it making a HUGE difference because of all the barriers, expectations we faced growing up. - the pressure to achieve, the pressure to always set high expectations for ourselves, people pleasing, being way too hard on ourselves, the relationship with authority, feeling the pressure ot be responsible and carry eveyrone on your back, ON TOP OF THE AUDIENCE that you have. I always looked up to you and you gave me hope in creating a successful business, but I respect and admire your strength in sharing the reality of where your headspace is at. No one talks about the cultural expectations, upbringings that we were conditioned to growing up because it does make a huge difference to how we show up later in life. So I appreciate this video so much. I hope one day we can connect and create a community to support other cultured women who may be going through the same struggles, you are making a HUGE impact by sharing this video Sending you lots of love 💜

[@contently_lena]

I’m literally obsessed with your new style Vanessa. I didn’t watch much of your old videos but you’ve really got my attention now & im excited to watch your journey.

[@prmccormick]

Awesome post. I understand your angst completely. Good for you to make that hard decision. Do not fear. When we close on door, two more open.

[@aantonio1173]

Wow! Thank you for sharing that Vanessa! Love that new energy, feels pretty Authentic to me! (this pastel blue color is amazing on your skin btw 😍) I am deeply Convinced that this inner work will bring you wonders and alignment much sooner than you think ✨ So brave of you to share all that with us, and turning down that juicy deal 😅 you’re a real Queen! 👑

[@shorteelan]

I’ve turned down a large reoccurring sponsorship with a large brand that is the top dog in my field. They sponsor many people and some of those people are knowingly harmful. But because the owner wants to stay “neutral,” they are rewarded for bad behavior. I can’t align with those views, so I decline money. I come from nothing and it has been really hard for me to stand up for my values in the face of capitalism. I’ve shed tears having to turn away opportunities that would have led me to travel and experience things that I dreamed of as a child. As a black woman who has had generational struggles with money\confidence, this has been really hard on me mentally. Last week I had to publicly speak on a panel with the sponsor I turned away. I was an emotional, anxious mess. Because some of the topics were geared towards the company monopolizing the industry by sponsoring everyone and hierarchy. I slept so well that night and that’s what’s important. Being authentic and standing by your values.

[@AdrianPuiu]

Vanessa, thank you for documenting your journey. Congrats for the courage you have to say no to outside things so you can say yes to yourself. 👏👏 You have no idea how much everything you share there is helping me and many others. 🙏🙏

[@VanessaLau]

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful. Sometimes we need to hear stories like this so we can feel empowered to listen to our intuition more. Often times we need evidence of how to do it, what's possible, etc. Appreciate you for leaving a comment!

[@RealElenaDiaz]

Each time your content gets better! ❤ thank you

[@kimcramer]

thanks so much for this video! I was just swirling again in the do I need to niche down spiral. I'd love more content on how to niche down into the problem we are skilled at solving. I think there's something there. I can think of so many videos I can make in that space but feel boxed in like you said when I think of nicheing specifically

[@lrkreations]

I wasn't expecting in getting an impactful message and awareness of being your own boss (from the title). But, im glad i stayed til the end of the video bc you are voicing what most of us are going through. This is a conversation worth sharing and i want to thank you for that. I definitely liked it when you touched the subject about a 'niche may limit your creativity ' Im a professional artist/muralist and that part truly resonated with me.

[@sammybwoy]

I’m so glad you took my suggestion of buying the book!

[@VanessaLau]

Omg ITS YOU!! I tried finding your comment and couldn’t properly say thank you. It’s been changing my life.

[@VanessaLau]

In other words: THANK YOU!

[@sammybwoy]

You’re welcome, thank you for valuing my suggestion ❤

[@renekun1982]

Hi Vanessa! Even though I am beeing faaaaar away from calling myself a creator, you video really opened my eyes about chances, enemies and listening to myself instead of others. Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts and beeing so inspirational!!!!

[@shamsiadaryabi]

Venessa, we love you and are so happy you are advocating for the authenticity and truth of an individual's creativity, especially in content creation!!

[@VanessaLau]

Thank you! I mean it when I say "authenticity is hard". I just wanted to document my experience of "staying authentic", and the tradeoff it came with.

[@Mv3Trader]

This is by far my favorite video from you! 🔥🙌🏾💎

[@MissKrystlelive]

Very powerful! Thank you for sharing. This touched home for me as a business owner stuck with an employee mindset 🙏❤

[@maddawgg2000]

This is the best video you have ever done. And I believe that’s a fact purely because you full sent being 100% authentic. This video was also incredibly helpful for me and my live. And above all, this video was beyond inspiring. Love you V. You are the goat. Here with you through whatever you decide to do 💜💜💜

[@vivianxfong]

Really loved this, thank you Vanessa!

[@YalisCommunity]

Thank you for sharing your journey of authenticity. You are truly inspiring. It helps to see others enjoying the process of creating without the constraints and restrictions that outsiders try to take over your content. I am a very small KZbinr and have done everything organically, and will continue doing so, still there's almost every day an email with some enticing offer that I reject because it doesn't align with me. Therefore, thank you again for sharing your journey, your values, how you feel and letting us be part of your beautiful life and community.

[@AlexBlablate]

Hello Vanessa! I don’t often let comments on KZbin but the videos you made since you came back online really inspire me and I wanted to break my usual silence to encourage you. I know you are going through a tough journey as finding your true self and being aligned with it is much more complicated than what it sounds especially when you have been fighting for years trying to be someone else but I truly believe that even though you may not realize it yet, you are actually setting up the basis of something that many will follow soon. People are in search of more and more authenticity and showing your more vulnerable self is definitely something that will create a stronger bond with your audience. To be honest, I used to like your content before your sabbatical because of the knowledge you were sharing, since your come back, as start liking you as a person while before your content was more what I liked in your channel. Your new content encourages me to also dare to finally open my own social media to share my true authentic self. I prevented myself from doing it for so long because I am interested in a lot of different things that I would like to share online but hearing about niching down all the time just made me never make it happen while in the end, if this is who I am, why try to change it? Thanks again for sharing with us your journey and lots of love from Europe to you ❤

[@thisjuncture]

Good for you. You saved your own life. Almost 2 yrs ago, I came across you on IG. You seemed passionate, authentic and personable. Within six months your content changed, you were burnt out, flamed out and left. It happens. I wished you well. Not all money is good money. Keep creating authentic interactions, reflect on what happened in childhood causing you to feel less safe and knowing you are ‘enough’. When you say ‘No’ to what you don’t want, you create opportunities for the ‘Yesses’ you do want.

[@g.r.2985]

Great content Vanessa. You are in a very enviable position to be able to turn down those sponsorships. Too bad I missed every word that came out of your mouth when you were speaking in the blue jumpsuit. Good luck to you!

[@RoxanneTaylorMedia]

Love your mentor's perspective!!

[@WatchME_DIY]

Good on you for speaking up and not doing what didn’t feel comfortable. Also shoutout to Bryon Deters for being understanding, and supportive.

[@DonnasWonderland]

I really appreciate you sharing your new journey I’m not anywhere near the position you are in but very useful to hear your story ❤

[@imawakeimawake2195]

Loved this! Thank you sooooo much.

[@Fasha86]

Another great video, Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your experience and journey with us. 💜

[@VanessaLau]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching and for being here!

[@DT-lf2up]

One of the best way to get stacked is to put yourself in a framed perspective. You’re brilliant, Vanessa ❤ Thank you for being sincere with the way the things are ❤

[@SharlritaDeloatch]

Thank you for sharing! The Journeyprenuer will be the way to go!!

[@VanessaLau]

omg i love "journeypreneur!!" thank you!

[@AlienaCai]

Venessa, I'm loving your videos even more these days!!! 😍 It's so authentic and I love it.

[@Nardio]

Finding and watching your channel is an interesting journey to join late in the game and watch what's happening. I've watched your last few vids and then some of your older vids so then the quitting part made sense. Now I'm watching this vid and wow.... Interesting to see and learn your perspective. It kind of flys in the face of "old" you while still making sense because of the perspective. That said, I appreciate how you acknowledge that you are in the right/rare position to do what you are choosing to do now. It's all interesting, Inspiring, depressing, relatable and unrelatable at the same time. Besides all that, I'm learning a few things along the way. Wishing you the best.

[@srishtimsr]

Watching this video I was reminded of your old video, the one titled "why I quit my 9-5", where you talked about your struggles of quitting your corporate job, working as a coffee barista etc. And I know, Vanessa, that you might be wondering how can this video be related to that one in any sense? But it's actually your authenticity that bleeds through the screen!! You were being really true to your feelings in that old video, a quality that somewhere got lost when you found your niche of social media & began catering more to the algorithm... but now since you've been back from sabbatical, I've seen the shift in your content and from last video onwards, I'm seeing the old Vanessa back in a new light. I hope this is making sense, but essentially what I mean to say is that the real, authentic, vulnerable Vanessa (even if you're still figuring her out) is showing through this video like it used to in your old videos back in 2019. And that authenticity is priceless!! That is what makes you special. That's why I followed Vanessa Lau in the first place. Because most times, people can easily tell when you're doing a certain video because it performs well or brand sponsorship etc. {To clarify, I'm in no way criticizing; not saying that you're becoming like the old Vanessa or adding any expectations on you. I just LOVE the content you're making now because of how real it feels unlike some videos you made in 2022-21. I'm really happy I get to witness your journey and learn from it. Thank you, Vanessa, for coming back and for being real.}

[@sadaamhasaan_]

Loving this new chapter of you. Your paving the way for the next generation of creators 🙏🏾💪🏾

[@westendburrow]

Learning so much from this! Thanks for sharing!

[@VanessaLau]

I'm so glad that you are. Thank you for being here!

[@heatherinde]

I love that you made this video. As a smaller creator my experiences with brand deals is as of yet non-existent, so it’s nice to hear some info on how it all works. However, I’ve been making money decisions for a long time and for some reason I developed the owners mindset organically years ago and its helped me to stay authentic. This video has really got me thinking of ways to be even more authentic. Thank you for sharing the background of your decision making process. Good luck exploring what you want to be making next and thank you for taking us along for the ride.

[@VanessaLau]

Love that you've organically embodied the owner's mindset. That's amazing! And hey, I was a creator for 5 years and never did a brand deal until this year - and I turned out just fine. It's definitely a nice to have, but I don't think it's essential for wealth creation. There can be other ways to monetize :) Appreciate you and thank you for being here!

[@heatherinde]

@@VanessaLau That’s encouraging to hear. I love the way you film/edit your videos and I look forward to seeing what’s next in your transformation process. ❤️

[@Patapoon]

Hi Vanessa! I want to say I was a follower because of the business content you posted before your sabbatical but that you have no idea how unbelievably relatable, happy, and freeing what you've been posting lately has been. The fact that hustle culture made me feel bad for wanting to walk away from a great opportunity to pursue what's best for me has made me feel like I'm not crazy and that others are going through something like that too. Appreciate you, Vanessa! 👊👊

[@VanessaLau]

Thank you so much! I'm glad these types of stories are resonating and helping you. Sometimes we just need evidence of what's possible, which is why sharing stories is so important. Thank you for being here.

[@KristaIreneArt]

Your mentor is inspiring. Love this video and listening to your whole process as you navigate this change for yourself.

[@LaurenVacula]

Thanks for making these types of videos, Vanessa! It’s refreshing to see content creation through a different lens ❤

[@FoundMyBrave]

This video is amazing and SOOOOO helpful! Thank you!!

[@CharisMaggieTV]

Loved hearing about your experience through this video. One thing I’ll say is that it’s easy to pivot and do whatever you want, after you’ve built up a community that will support your new endeavours. When you just start out and nobody knows u, part of being able to grow quickly is to be known for something. As someone who started out making content that’s “just on my heart” to create, it hurt me in the long run when it came time to leveraging brand deals, simply because brands couldn’t pinpoint what to come to me for. What I don’t regret about my journey however is that in starting my journey out this way where I wanted to just be creative vs wanting to be an influencer and get brand deals, almost 8 years in the game, I’m still here creating, learning and still loving the journey. Because I didn’t start out by putting myself in a box, I was able to pivot many times and switch up the type of content I did based on my interest and I’m glad to say I’ve finally found an area that I love making content about. Ultimately, the key is having a balance between making content you like, showing your personality so ppl are also here for you and not just the free info you can give them but if brand sponsorships is an interest , you have to make content in a strategic way cuz at the end of the day what they care and why they pay big bucks is because of your numbers l

[@VanessaLau]

Makes total sense! I think it's also asking the question of: Do you even want to have sponsorships as your main revenue source? This video wasn't meant to teach people how to get brand deals. It was more so an exploration of what I learned I valued more in this chapter of my journey. I LOVE the fact that you're still loving the journey even after 8 years. Many can't say the same because they've sold pieces of their integrity or their artistic expression in exchange for mainstream ideals and money. When you do things unaligned for long periods of time, it naturally leads to burnout as the gap between what you value and what your actions are widen. THANK YOU for your balanced perspective and speaking from experience. I value it and I appreciate it! Congratulations for keeping your passion.

[@nomsaledwaba8931]

I love your channel since 2021. I learned so much. I created digital product but I haven't marketed it out in the public to monetize. Thanks for bringing out the best in us.

[@lydiapatelll]

Loved this! The OG quote from art of war 知己知彼 - 彼 isn’t enemy, it’s just the “other side”/external as you say. You’re spot on. ❤

[@sophiamartinez3862]

Great video. Welcome to the habitats of being a business owner. You have to use a business plan that scopes out the 1, 5, 10-year vision. Glad you are speaking about this topic.

[@BunchofStyles]

We really like these new videos it makes us decide to be true to what we want to and to walk away from what we would also say yes too so keep doing the great work

[@Princess__komeh]

Your content always makes me feel safe and not paranoid about my feelings as a CEO. Please never stop creating these and continue making decisions best for your mental health