Authentic Leadership: The Freedom of Being Real

Gary Vee says it best: stop caring what other people think!

My name is Alana Martinez and I am the owner of Dab Marketing. For a long time I tried to play by the rules of what other people thought I should be. Family, friends, colleagues, even strangers had opinions that shaped how I showed up in the world. Every move felt like it needed to be polished, packaged, and perfect.

So I’d like to consider this blog my first step into not caring what others think and instead sharing my inner thoughts, leadership, and business skills to find my tribe.

You step into freedom, because you no longer need to perform or please. Say it again for those in the back who can’t hear you: You step into freedom, because you no longer need to perform or please.

And let’s be real. Part of that freedom comes from not giving a f* what people think about you**. The moment you stop trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations is the moment you finally start living for yourself.

What I’ve learned is that keeping your thoughts, ideas, and leadership skills to yourself helps absolutely no one. My volleyball coach used to tell us, “Assume everyone around you is stupid.” At first, it sounds harsh, but what he really meant was this: no one else has your perspective. No one sees the information the way you do. That makes your vision, your leadership, and your voice valuable. If you don’t share them, people can’t benefit from them. You’ve got to share to truly care.

That’s the moment you stop holding yourself back. That’s when you start building the life, the business, and the relationships you actually want. Not the ones you think you’re supposed to want.

I’m choosing authenticity over approval.

This blog isn’t just about me unloading thoughts into the world. It’s an invitation. An invitation to anyone who’s been afraid to show up as themselves. An invitation to anyone who’s been told they’re “too much” or “not enough.” An invitation to grow together, lead together, and become the best version of ourselves without apology.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just a personal blog. It’s also a piece of my business journey at Dab Marketing. Because the truth is, marketing, like life, works best when it’s real. When it’s built on trust, honesty, and connection. That’s what I want to embody, and that’s what I want my business to represent.

So here I am, taking the first step. Raw. Real. Unfiltered. And ready to find the people who value the same.

If you’re reading this and it resonates, stick with me. This is just the beginning of a series. A journey not just about business, but about family, friends, finances, and finding yourself in a world that is constantly trying to tell you who you should be.

Because authenticity is the ultimate freedom. And freedom is exactly where I’m headed.