Your Story is Not Something to Hide—It’s Something to Stand In
- KyAlea Monma
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
What if the parts of your story you once hid were actually your greatest strengths?
I recently re-read an article written about my journey, and it hit me in a way I didn’t expect. Not because I wasn’t proud of my story—but because I felt a deep fear about how it might be received.
I grew up navigating things most kids never have to think about. I didn’t just witness struggle—I carried it. I stepped in. I protected. I problem-solved. I figured things out. And without even realizing it, I was shaping the skills that now define who I am today.
And yet, a part of me still feared:
➡ Would sharing my story bring shame?
➡ Would speaking my truth be seen as disrespectful?
➡ Would honoring my journey dishonor my past?
For a long time, I wrestled with these questions. Because when we share our truth, we don’t just expose our own experiences—we reveal the layers of history, culture, and expectation that shaped us.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Standing in Your Story is
Different from Standing By It
There’s a big difference between standing by your story and standing in it.
When you stand by your story, you acknowledge it, but it may still feel like something that happened to you.
When you stand up for your story, you defend it—often from a place of seeking validation or permission.
But when you stand in your story, you own it completely. No filters. No distortions. No fear.
Because clarity is power.
When we align our truth, purpose, and brand, something shifts.
✨ We become magnetic—not by force, but by presence.
✨ We stop hiding behind layers of ‘acceptable’ versions of ourselves.
✨ We create space for others to see us fully.
✨ And when we invite others to see us fully, we give them permission to do the same.
Why This Matters in Business, Branding, and Leadership
This realization didn’t just change my personal journey—it transformed the way I approach branding, leadership, and business.
Helping visionary founders uncover their Brand DNA isn’t just about visuals, messaging, or marketing. It’s about clarity.
Because when you have clarity:
People don’t just notice you—they connect with you.
Your brand stops feeling like a performance and starts feeling like a powerful extension of who you truly are.
You remove the invisible filters that otherwise distort reality, making it hard for people to fully trust, see, or understand you.
We don’t build magnetic brands by chasing trends, faking confidence, or trying to be what we think others expect.We build them by owning our truth so fully that it becomes a beacon for the right people.
Your Story is Not Something to Hide—It’s Something to Stand In
If you’ve ever questioned whether your story is worth sharing, let me remind you:
✨ It’s what makes you who you are.
✨ It’s what makes you powerful.
✨ And when you stand in it, you create something bigger than yourself.
I’d love for you to read the article about my journey and what led me here today. And if it resonates, I invite you to share a piece of your own story with me—I want to hear it. Send me an email here.
Are You Ready to Stand in Your Brand?
At HOKU Design Group, I help founders and service-based businesses uncover their Brand DNA—the unshakable foundation of who they are, what they stand for, and how they show up in the world.
Your brand is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of your truth. And when you build it with clarity and intention, you don’t have to chase opportunities. You attract them.
If you're ready to align your brand with your truth, let’s talk.
🔹 Discover your Brand DNA Blueprint → Book a Free Clarity Call
🔹 Explore More → How It Works
Let’s stand in our stories—together.
