This year, going out on my own taught me something unexpected: my niche wasn’t an industry or a role. It was me.
Extreme empathy. No bullshit. Dry wit. Operator brain.
This post is about finally leaning into that.
Omg, thank you for this! You’ve confirmed my same suspicion I’ve had this year!
I’ve been thumping my head against the wall trying to figure out “my lane” or “my niche” (and I swear if one more person tells me to niche down…). And I realized that my value is ME as a person with my personality and own range of experiences. But how do I sell that?!
Sounds like I need to keep at it, continue to be authentically me, and everything else will follow.
You're spot on: sounding too professional or polished is not relatable in the era of social media and digital connections, where we crave authenticity.
Finding one’s niche has become an overcomplicated, strategic positioning exercise.
It feels artificial and forces you to make forced choices about what you can/can’t do.
You are your niche. When you believe this, you tap into your own uniquely diverse thoughts, experiences and values. That is your differentiated positioning.
Feeling very lucky to have connected with you dear Katie 🤍 looking forward to seeing how your 2026 unfolds and hopefully we’ll get the chance to meet up!
Oh, I really love how you’ve claimed your whole founder personality as the niche, how you work, how you relate, and the values. The specific mix you describe there feels so alive and grounded. It genuinely gives me hope that consulting can stay deeply human and that there’s room for all of us to do it in our own way.
Hi Katie. Loved this post. I have gone through a very similar process. I am working on an article on this. I started Substack in April and have gone through four iterations. Lots of learning here. What you point at is 100% the direction we should all go to. It’s about your own personal brand. About been authentic and to write/speak from the heart. Thank you for the shout out. I can say the same about you. Happy new year!
Wow, this is a book of ideas in one Substack. "Someone who tells the truth without flattening the room", this is so apt. Working with people who are looking for believers and acolytes is not just unrewarding, its damaging. For a sole practitioner, occupying the liminal space between consultant and employee, it kills our perspective and devalues our offer.
Awesome revelation and realization Katie. And one that YOU needed to go through -- no one could have "taught" you those lessons which would've had the same impact and provided as much personal growth as you've experienced by living your journey. Congrats!
Thanks Katie for once again writing so openly and with so much care. I love your conclusion about working out which people to work with and write for. I personally find it really hard not to try and please everyone, even though I know how ineffective and impossible this can be. Thanks for the timely reminder. Wishing you and your family a wonderful festive season and excited for what you bring in 2026. 🙏
This is such a good post and a great read for someone trying to figure out their niche. Trying to find your niche is exhausting and I think more of us need this type of insight.
I’m calling this un-boxing myself 🥹
Yeppp love this.
Omg, thank you for this! You’ve confirmed my same suspicion I’ve had this year!
I’ve been thumping my head against the wall trying to figure out “my lane” or “my niche” (and I swear if one more person tells me to niche down…). And I realized that my value is ME as a person with my personality and own range of experiences. But how do I sell that?!
Sounds like I need to keep at it, continue to be authentically me, and everything else will follow.
Cheers to being ourselves!
In it together my friend!!!
Currently finding my niche and so glad I came across your post! I'm also a generalist by nature and maybe I should be thinking about this differently.
Hope it helps!
Nice way to think about your niche! You basically focused on finding your people within the wider niche!
You're spot on: sounding too professional or polished is not relatable in the era of social media and digital connections, where we crave authenticity.
Totally! That’s why tik tok is thriving I’m sure.
Finding one’s niche has become an overcomplicated, strategic positioning exercise.
It feels artificial and forces you to make forced choices about what you can/can’t do.
You are your niche. When you believe this, you tap into your own uniquely diverse thoughts, experiences and values. That is your differentiated positioning.
Yayyyy Katie! This is awesome 🫶
Feeling very lucky to have connected with you dear Katie 🤍 looking forward to seeing how your 2026 unfolds and hopefully we’ll get the chance to meet up!
so glad we connected! One day we will meet IRL. Let’s definitely catch up in the new year!
Oh, I really love how you’ve claimed your whole founder personality as the niche, how you work, how you relate, and the values. The specific mix you describe there feels so alive and grounded. It genuinely gives me hope that consulting can stay deeply human and that there’s room for all of us to do it in our own way.
I’m still relatively early, but I can say it’s very much working for me right now!
Hi Katie. Loved this post. I have gone through a very similar process. I am working on an article on this. I started Substack in April and have gone through four iterations. Lots of learning here. What you point at is 100% the direction we should all go to. It’s about your own personal brand. About been authentic and to write/speak from the heart. Thank you for the shout out. I can say the same about you. Happy new year!
Wow, this is a book of ideas in one Substack. "Someone who tells the truth without flattening the room", this is so apt. Working with people who are looking for believers and acolytes is not just unrewarding, its damaging. For a sole practitioner, occupying the liminal space between consultant and employee, it kills our perspective and devalues our offer.
Awesome revelation and realization Katie. And one that YOU needed to go through -- no one could have "taught" you those lessons which would've had the same impact and provided as much personal growth as you've experienced by living your journey. Congrats!
As a generalist by heart and brain I really dig that.
Thank you for these words ✨
Thanks Katie for once again writing so openly and with so much care. I love your conclusion about working out which people to work with and write for. I personally find it really hard not to try and please everyone, even though I know how ineffective and impossible this can be. Thanks for the timely reminder. Wishing you and your family a wonderful festive season and excited for what you bring in 2026. 🙏
This is such a good post and a great read for someone trying to figure out their niche. Trying to find your niche is exhausting and I think more of us need this type of insight.