Why I’m Not Doing “Hard Truth” Marketing (Even If It Works)

Lately, I’ve been sitting with a lot of tension as a small business owner.

Because here’s the deal: everywhere I look, the message is the same—

If you want to grow, you’ve got to be louder. Bolder. Sharper.

You’ve got to “speak the hard truths.” Call people out. Stir things up.

“Trigger action through tension,” they say.

And I get it. That kind of content works. It grabs attention. It creates urgency.

But here’s my honest, slightly spicy take: it doesn’t feel good.

Not to consume.

And definitely not to create.

I Don’t Want to Manipulate You into Buying a T-Shirt.

Let’s be real. I didn’t start Ever & Alder to capitalize on your insecurities.

I started it because I believe in the beauty of real connection—the kind that honors the messy, meaningful middle of motherhood, womanhood, life. Annnnnd I like creating merch that supports my family. 

But when I sit down to write a post and my brain says,

“How can I make this hit harder?”

instead of,

“How can I help someone feel seen?”

—I know I’m off track.

The Problem with “Hard Truths” (In my opinion)

We’re all tired. Overstimulated. Scrolling through our feeds trying to find a moment of peace—or at least a reminder that we’re not failing at life. 

And then boom:

🗣️ “No one’s coming to save you.”

🗣️ “If it mattered, you’d make time.”

Honestly? That’s not care. That’s control.

It’s a sales strategy wrapped in faux empowerment.

 

What I Want Instead…

I want my brand—and this space—to feel like exhale. To be soft and inspiring.

Like sitting on the floor with your favorite person after the baby’s finally asleep.

Like soft lighting, real conversations, and permission to just be.

A picnic at the park on a warm sunny day… ya know? 

I want you to come here and feel safe, not sold to.

Invited, not interrogated.

Held, not hustled.

So How Do I Show Up?

Honestly, I’m still figuring that part out and lately I haven’t really been showing up. I feel like if I keep going little by little, it’ll grow. 

But here’s what I know:

✨ I want to market with empathy.

✨ I want to create with intention.

✨ I want to build a business that values people more than performance.

Even if it means slower growth.

Even if it doesn’t go viral.

Even if the algorithm hates it.

Because the world doesn’t need more noise.

It needs more meaning.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to do more, be more, sell harder—I see you.

We don’t have to play that game.

We can build something softer.

And softness? That’s powerful as hell.

Thanks for being here. Truly. You’re making dreams come true. 

💛

— MK