A Woman On A Pegacorn
Years ago I was researching the mindset of a small business owner for some persona work and I came across this gem–an analogy about the psychological impact of being an entrepreneur. He’s like “a man riding a lion. People look at him and think, ‘This guy's really got it together! He's brave!’ And the man riding the lion is thinking, ‘How the hell did I get on a lion, and how do I keep from getting eaten?’”*
As owner of Meshin Movement, I relate to the duality of experiencing apparent success in the flow of what I do every day with clients while at the same time feeling an indescribable emotional tumult. But for me, this isn’t the thrilling and terrifying feeling of riding a lion. Instead, my emotional ride is better described as a woman riding a pegacorn.
A pegacorn is somewhere between a pegasus and a unicorn--unlike a horse in more ways than one.
Meshin Movement has never been just a horse. The start began with a parallel path between a social entrepreneurial intention and a revenue-driven business for brand strategy. In my heart, I’ve never felt “in-category” and that feeling couldn’t be more true now.
Meshin is a venn diagram. The horse I’m riding is a brand strategy offering, but not only that. The wings are the compelling force of social good and the horn--naturally--offers a flare for creative expression and storytelling.
Sounds mythical and awesome but just like the man on the lion, this isn’t an easy ride. Onlookers are likely thinking, “What is that thing she’s riding?” It’s true, many of my musings swirl on the “yes and…” sentiment of strategy and the social good I hope to achieve through Meshin. When people ask about Meshin, the idea about a meal experience for social good is always the start of the story, despite the fact that brand strategy is the focus of my time.
It isn’t easy to break the norm and go against category convention. Especially as I’m only at the beginning of exploring the creative collaborations and expressions that have laid largely dormant inside me. I am finally starting to host Meshin Meals and storytelling sessions for companies, both efforts to raise awareness and money for non-profits. But there is also a sense of freedom in knowing I’ve chosen to ride the space between boundaries. I’m aware of the comfort of operating within clear expectations and known limits. But my sense is that a little departure from the norm is where the magic happens.
And that begins with being comfortable with vulnerability and the unknown. I am okay being a little bit uncertain of my ultimate destination. I am okay with mustering the courage to let go of some of the feeling that I should know where I’m headed to make room for seeing where this takes me.
I should tell the world I am a brand strategist—only—to make it clear you can think of me for strategy work of the traditional brand and creative variety. But I have ambitions to apply that strategic mindset to do more good. I want to see what happens when the business boundaries blend with social entrepreneurial pursuits and creative expression. I am bravely flying this pegacorn to some unknown land--wind in my hair and knots in my stomach.
There are a lot of challenges in the world. With a strong strategic sense and a little belief in the magic of possibility, who knows where we might fly together.
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*Toby Thomas, CEO of EnSite Solutions (No. 188 on the Inc. 500), explains the phenomenon with his favorite analogy: a man riding a lion. first reference