Your Secret Superpower in Business? Admitting You Don’t Know
What I learned from my most embarrassing moment on stage.
Hi friends,
If you're just joining us—welcome to the Find Your Sweet Spot Challenge! Over the past few weeks, we’ve been diving into what it really takes to build a personal brand online in 2025—in a way that’s authentic, impactful, and sustainable.
Each week, I’ve been sharing prompts designed to help you step into your personal brand with confidence:
✅ Week 1: Introduce yourself—share your founder story through video
✅ Week 2: Share behind the scenes of a day in your life
Now, for Week 3, we’re diving into a game-changing topic: vulnerability. Because here’s the truth—people don’t connect with perfection. They connect with realness.
And I learned that lesson the hard way.
The Power of "I Don’t Know"
For years, I thought success in business meant projecting an image of flawless competence. I believed customers and investors wanted to see someone who had it all figured out, who never stumbled, who could predict every market shift and nail every product launch.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
One of my first important personal appearances after launching Sprinkles was when Maria Shriver asked me to be on a panel at her Women's Conference. She was the First Lady of California at the time and was using her platform to support and inspire women. The event was a big deal, packed with famous women, and I was thrilled to be included
Our panel presented to a packed room for forty-five minutes and then it was time for Q&A. After a few audience members had asked their questions, a woman stood up and began asking a question that was so long and incomprehensible that I actually started to tune out. There was no way it was a question for me. For one thing, the woman had used some jargon that I had never heard before. Beyond that, I was sitting among women with much more impressive resumes—including Danica Patrick, a professional race car driver!
The sound of my name broke through my daze and suddenly, every eyeball in that room was staring at me, awaiting an answer.
I went from basking in the glow of a panel well done to burning with embarrassment. I tried to muddle my way through an answer to a question I hadn't understood or even fully heard.
I thought, Who was I to be an authority on a panel when I couldn't even understand the business terminology that people were using? I could have steered clear of public appearances after that deer-in-headlights moment. I certainly wanted to.
Instead, I realized a valuable lesson that has served me well for countless podcasts, firesides, and personal appearances since then: the power of honesty. "I don't know," "I'm not sure I understand," and "I haven't thought about that. Let me get back to you" are perfectly acceptable responses.
Sure, it feels vulnerable to admit to not having all the answers, but it doesn't mean you're a fraud. It simply means you're human. I could have just owned up to not understanding that audience member's question. What shows the world you're a pro isn't having all the answers—it's how gracefully you handle not having them.
This lesson has become increasingly important as I've grown my businesses. When you're willing to be vulnerable and honest about what you know and don't know, people trust you more, not less.
This Week's Challenge: Share Your Lessons Learned
For Week 3 of the #SweetSpotChallenge, I want you to open up to your audience with something you normally wouldn’t share on social media!
This isn't about airing your dirty laundry or trauma-dumping. It's about thoughtful vulnerability that shows your wisdom, resilience, and growth. Think of it as letting people into your journey, not just your highlight reel.
Why This Works
Vulnerability in business creates connection in three powerful ways:
It builds trust: When you share what didn't work, people trust you more when you talk about what does.
It shows resilience: Overcoming challenges demonstrates intelligence and determination far more than pretending you never face any.
It creates community: When you open up about your journey—bumps and all—you give others permission to do the same.
How to Share Your Behind-the-Scenes
The most powerful content doesn't come from pretending we have it all together. It comes from showing the reality behind the curated image. Your challenge this week is to share a side of your life or career that rarely makes it to social media. This could be:
📸 A carousel post featuring the reality behind the scenes—your messy office, unfinished projects, or the not-so-glamorous moments of your day.
🎥 A video where you pull back the curtain on something that scares you—whether it’s a big risk, an upcoming launch, or a personal hurdle you’re working through.
📖 A LinkedIn article reflecting on the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons they’ve taught you, and how they’ve shaped your journey.
📲 A series of Instagram Stories sharing a challenge or setback you’ve overcome (or are still navigating) and what it’s teaching you in real-time.
Remember: The goal isn’t to air your struggles—it’s to offer an authentic, thoughtful look at the realities of your journey and how they’re shaping your growth. Use #SweetSpotChallenge so we can find and support your post!
If you're feeling stuck, start here:
🔍 What’s a mistake that turned into a valuable lesson—but one you’ve never shared before?
⚡ What’s a failure or setback that shaped your journey in unexpected ways? Something people might not realize played a pivotal role in your success?
🤔 What challenge are you currently navigating behind the scenes? How is it pushing you to grow?
💡 What vulnerability or insecurity have you learned to embrace—and, in doing so, turned into a hidden strength?
Need Some Inspiration?
This week, I’m sharing the real reasons I sold my first company, Sprinkles—a story I’ve never directly shared on Instagram or LinkedIn before. Funny enough, many people don’t even realize I sold it… I still get customer service DMs to this day!
Vulnerability isn’t about oversharing—it’s about sharing with intention. It’s about showing up as your full self, not just the polished version. Because when you do, you create real trust, real connection, and real impact.
I can’t wait to see what you share—tag me and use #SweetSpotChallenge so I can cheer you on!
XO,
candace
P.S. Just joining us? It’s not too late! Jump in with this week’s prompt, and check out the previous challenges on my Instagram or LinkedIn.
As an online bakery owner on the autism spectrum, I recognize that one of the key challenges I've faced is ensuring that my products consistently meet expectations in terms of appearance and quality. This includes accurately measuring ingredients to maintain uniformity. My strength lies in my ability to enhance the flavors of my creations by using high-quality ingredients, regardless of the brand.
While my disability presents certain challenges in managing my business, I do not dwell on the mistakes I may make. Instead, I focus on picking myself up and persevering until I can refine my craft and achieve the desired results.
Thank you for sharing!