Comfortably Bold: Why Standing Out is the Most Strategic Move

There’s a moment I’ll never forget– it happened during a Promocations event, cruising through the Atlantic. I was wearing absolutely nothing taco-related. No costume. No branding. Just me, hanging in the hot tub with some industry peers after a networking event. A stranger swam up to us, looked me dead in the eyes, and asked “Hey… were you in the Ft Lauderdale airport a few days ago wearing a taco costume?” After my complete shock and laughter, and telling him yes, he turned around to his friends yelling “I knew it!”

That moment is the perfect example of why standing out intentionally, confidently, and comfortably is one of the most strategic moves you can make in business. Somewhere along the way, “professionalism” became synonymous with blending in. Neutral colors. Safe choices. Predictable behavior. The idea that if you’re too loud, too playful, too you, you’ll be taken less seriously. 

But here’s the truth: Neutral is forgettable. 

In an industry full of people trying to look the same, the ones who show up comfortably bold are the ones who get remembered. And being remembered is the first step to being chosen. Let’s be clear: boldness isn’t about chaos or gimmicks. It’s about intentional weirdness: the kind of memorable, aligned, strategic choices that make people stop, smile, and think. It is a strategy, not a stunt.

When I wear a taco costume to a business meeting, it’s not random. When I write and perform parody songs about why “pinning is winning,” it’s not just for laughs. When I lean into fiesta-themed branding, puns, and playful energy, it’s not an accident.

It’s strategy.

Boldness cuts through noise. Boldness creates emotional connection. Boldness signals confidence, and confidence attracts people. 

I’ve stood on stages and performed songs about pins. Full parody. Full commitment. Full energy. And you know what happened? People remembered. People talked. People connected. Those moments weren’t just entertaining; they positioned Taco ’Bout Pins as the fun, fearless, creative brand people want to work with. The brand that doesn’t just make pins… it makes experiences. That’s the power of intentional weirdness. It transforms your brand from a vendor into a vibe. Wearing a taco costume to meetings isn’t just a bold move– it’s a conversation starter. It disarms people. It makes them smile. It makes them curious. It also makes you instantly recognizable. Being the person people can’t forget is a massive advantage. And the best part? It’s authentic. It’s comfortable. It’s you.

Back to the airport/hot tub story. I wasn’t selling anything. I wasn’t pitching anything. I wasn’t even speaking! But my brand showed up anyway. That stranger remembered me because I had created a moment worth remembering. That memory right there, that’s the ROI of boldness: your presence lingers long after the moment ends. 

But boldness only works when it’s rooted in comfort, when you’re genuinely at ease being yourself. When you stop performing and start showing up. Comfort creates confidence. Confidence creates clarity. Clarity creates connection. And connection? That’s where business actually happens.

Something else to note: boldness isn’t about you, it’s about them. My audience responds to humor, color, energy, and personality. They want fun. They want memorable. They want human. So I give them exactly that. When you understand what your audience craves, boldness becomes a service, not a risk. Boldness isn’t reckless. Boldness isn’t unprofessional. Boldness isn’t risky. Boldness is strategic.

If you want to be remembered, you have to be willing to be seen. Lean into your quirks. Show up with personality. Create moments people want to taco ‘bout. Be intentional. Be memorable. Be bold.

Your audience doesn’t need another neutral brand. They need a brand with flavor. In a world full of plain chips, be the taco.

Hillary Morris is the Chief Excitement Officer of Taco ’Bout Pins, known for their high energy creativity, bold branding, and unforgettable approach to pins. She brings intentional weirdness to the promotional products world, from taco costumes to parody songs that make it impossible to forget the brand. A busy mom of three girls, she’s constantly on her toes and fueled by the joyful chaos they bring. Hillary shows up boldly in everything she does, proving that authenticity is always the winning strategy.