The Secret Sauce Blender | Making the Perfect Personal Pan PizzaImagine you’re baking a pizza...of course, what a Scotty thing to say, right?Except in this scenario, the same crust, cheese, and toppings are provided to you and everyone else.What’s going to make your pizza truly stand out from the noise is the sauce you make for the pizza.What’s the secret to making the secret sauce that’ll keep people craving for yours while others seem to get lost in the shuffle?It's a personalized dash, smidgen, and a pinch of ingredients that makes you, YOUnique.You combine all these ingredients up in a blender...or maybe a food processor...and voilà! Here's your secret sauce that'll make your pizza shine.Anyone can try to mimic the pizza you bake, but no one can rip your secret sauce!In our creative world, we pretty much all have access to similar tools, mediums, and distribution channels to get our work out there. However, the way we rise above the noise is how we show up and pour ourselves into our work.This isn't a new concept as people have been talking about this for a long time now. Someone like Lisa Congdon calls this your Artistic Voice, thought others may call it something else.Finding your secret sauce is my cheesy spin on what I call your Sweet Spot in your creative grind.Today, I want to do a little overview of the three main ingredients that I feel make up your truly YOUnique secret sauce (I'm sure this will evolve over time).There are action steps baked within each segment with an intended goal. They'll help you understand how your own ingredients will make your secret sauce, and how you can leverage them within your personal brand and the work you show.Breaking Down the Ingredients for Your Secret SauceWhen I jump on coaching calls, I guide each student through the process of finding their secret sauce.Knowing your secret sauce brings clarity, confidence, conviction, and purpose when pursuing your creative grind.It's easier said than done, but that's the beauty of the messy, ever-evolving creative process: you have to dig deep to know which ingredients you even have in your personal pantry.Now that we've added a little context to it, let's start breaking down the 3 main types of ingredients you're baking with.1. Experiences & StoriesI mention this often, but I've learned from first-hand experience that your story is your most powerful asset.I shared my backstory with Diane Gibbs back in 2015 when I was just getting started with my blog that no one read.She ran with it and not only provided me with my first podcast interview on her Design Recharge Show, but she also landed me my first speaking gig at AIGA Mobile Flourish Conference in Alabama.It totally caught me off guard and jump-started my early side hustle days.For the longest time, I felt I didn't have anything to share or that anyone would care. But when I shared my story of being bullied, dealing with depression, anxiety, comparison, imposter syndrome, etc., it let other people know they weren't alone.It became a permission slip for them to share their stories. It connected us because they saw something similar in themselves even if the plot and details weren't the same.The shit you've been through is real. You went through it for a reason, and the adversity you overcame could be a powerful example to someone else so they triumph through the same shit storm.No one can replicate your story. In my opinion, it's THE KEY INGREDIENT in your secret sauce.Action StepIt takes some time, but start jotting down your story and past experiences that have helped mold you into the person you've become today.The better you can tell it, the better it can connect with someone.You may not think people will care, but trust me, someone out there needs to hear it.2. Skills & StrengthsThere are certain things you're naturally good at that seem to be difficult for others (how many times have you heard, "I couldn't even draw a stick figure"?).There are skills you've obtained by spending hours