Soft Pivot® Philosophy (part one)
Explaining the origin of the "Soft Pivot® Philosophy", how it became a movement, potential misconceptions, trademarking, and list of principles.
There comes a time in your business journey where things need to change. You might’ve felt the signs in your body or mind.
It’s inevitable to change. Growth comes from change. Alignment comes from change. Ideas come from change. And to be quite frank…It’d be fucking weird as hell if you stayed the same.
HOW IT WAS CREATED
There was a time where I needed change. Something in me was growing and expanding in ways I couldn’t comprehend. I was confused a lot of the times. Felt lost and a bit afraid of not knowing what was next for me.
As I became more self aware of my situation: misaligned business model, no clear direction and self sabotage… I knew I needed a pivot. I just didn’t know how or into what yet.
That’s when I started to talk to peers and friends about my ideas around pivoting and I remember my friend Angela said something like “You just gotta jump in” and I wrote that on a sticky note that sat on my desk for awhile as a reminder.
So to make this idea into an actual thing: I announced that I was “Soft Pivot®-ing” my business on social media. I didn’t know exactly how I was going to make it happen but I was going to share the journey as I was doing it.
Two full years later, I’d say I’ve successfully Soft Pivot®-ed into the type of business and brand I want to be and I still pivot here and there as I evolve. It’s natural to. But the big shift was from 2023-2025.
Instead of building an agency styled business model, offering done for you, custom services and wanting to build a team… I’m now operating as a solopreneur, building my personal brand as a Creator and diversifying my incomes streams through done for you and done with you services, affiliate links, courses, products and hopefully more!
During this entire journey, I used the words “Soft Pivot®” to describe how I was changing my business direction and now it’s my philosophy —a movement I lead creatives and clients through to evolve their businesses, brands and even lives— instead of starting over every time things feel misaligned. We’re collectively normalizing pivoting.
You have some background information, so let’s get into what the Soft Pivot® philosophy and principles actually are so you can apply it too.
WHAT IS SOFT PIVOT®?
Soft Pivot® is your entrepreneurial liberation where you intentionally restructure your business with purpose, so it fuels your life instead of draining it. It supports sustainable growth, visibility and fulfilment without having to start over from scratch.
It helps you define what you actually want in your life, how you want to build your brand and gives you back the energy to create, express, and evolve. No more building for burnout, chasing the weekends, or another 9-5. This is where you reclaim your creativity, realign with your vision and embody your values. It’s not just about designing ‘scalable’ offers or business model — it’s creating an adaptable, flexible, sustainable and intuitive system to use through different seasons of business and life.
POTENTIAL MISCONCEPTIONS
Language is important when it comes to marketing, philosophy and influence. So let’s break down what Soft Pivot® actually means —thanks to our friend Oxford Languages.
SOFT is defined by “easy to mold, cut, compress or fold. Not hard or firm to the touch. Having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition.”
PIVOT is defined by “the central point, pin or shaft on which a mechanism turns or oscillates. Completely change the way in which one does something.”
When I decided to name this journey that I was going on two years ago, I didn’t really think about the language too much — I just thought it was a cute name and I didn’t really know what else to call it. But as I engage in the online entrepreneurial space more and hear perspectives around “soft business” or “soft aesthetic” I assume that there could be some possible misconceptions around Soft Pivot®-ing and I want to address them.
Misconception #1: Soft = Slow
This is why I wanted to define what “Soft” meant because it’s common to think that “Soft” would mean slow because of the entrepreneurial spaces’ relationship with toxic hustling. Many entrepreneurs have adapted a “soft business” approach because so many have experiences intense burnout that has made them want to burn their business down and start over or go figure something elsewhere.
What I love about the definition of the word “soft” is how it says “Having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than a sharp definition”.
It makes me think about how this process or method is not slow or fast. It’s intentional and calculated. It’s open to experimenting, learning, and reflection.
So your pace might be quicker compared to mine two years ago. Or it might be longer.
Misconception #2: It’s a Step-by-Step Formula
Soft Pivot®-ing isn’t a one size fit approach. I know this because I tried to package it up to be one. But it’s not. It just can’t be. Everyone’s situation is so different.
Though I do help my clients with frameworks, share my own experiences and there are principles that I’ll share later on that help lead you through a Soft Pivot® — your journey will not look the exact same as someone else’s. Which is fine!!!
Misconception #3: Equivalent to “Soft Aesthetic” or for the “Soft Girl”
The soft aesthetic or soft girl is a social media trend which includes styles or traits of being feminine, gentle, cottage core, linen, romantic, florals, cutesy, cozy or poetic.
I love a cozy vibe, don’t get it twisted, but this trend is not Soft Pivot®.
Soft Pivot® is a philosophy to intentionally shift and restructure your business.
Whether you’re a soft girl or not, you can use it’s principles and frameworks to pivot your business (or life) to feel more fulfilling and sustainable.
Misconception #4: Trust that things will happen on their own.
Pivoting in any form requires initiative. During a Soft Pivot there needs to be patience but also persistence. It’s not going to happen overnight but it’s also going to take energy, commitment and hard work from the entrepreneur who’s on the journey.
Since this is an intentional shift in ones business or life, it could become procrastination if there is no progression forward. But action is what makes that happen. Not sitting around thinking that all of the answers will be handed to you or land in your lap.
Misconception #5: Slow Life = Soft Life
Naturally, you might lean into more of a ‘Soft Life’ when you go through a Soft Pivot® because you’re practicing self-care, reflection, abundant mindset, boundary setting and prioritizing fulfilment over hustle culture.
It’s the lifestyle piece influenced from the pivot. Of course, you want to make money but it’s really focusing on your inner peace and well-being overall.
But let’s not confuse this was “slow living”. A slow life is focused on the pace and being present. They both have a great relationship between each other but just like how I said Soft Pivot®-ing isn’t a one size fits all — that goes for how you decide to live your life too.
Soft Pivot® may influence these ways of life but they are not required to successfully shift your business. By the way, slow living is a whole other conversation I could write about.
SOFT PIVOT® IS OFFICIALLY TRADEMARKED
When I was going through my own Soft Pivot® journey, I talked about it A LOT. Publicly with my online community. My family and friends knew about it. I wanted my existing community to follow me, no matter what direction I headed. I knew I couldn’t 100% control this, but I decided to educate them on how I can continue to support them.
This opened up opportunities like talking on some podcasts, collaborations with other creatives and even talking in a summit. After the message of Soft Pivot® marinated… I started to get get tagged in Threads or Instagram posts when people would talk about pivoting or evolving in their business and life.
This is the power of having some sort of concept that you’ve lived through and now can teach or share with others. It’s more unique and original than a set of skills or hot takes. It’s something you’ve actually lived through and becomes part of your story.
People have associated me with the word ‘pivot’ or ‘Soft Pivot®’. It’s become a movement and philosophy I’ve led with and now help handfuls of clients with.
I’ve become known for it because I wouldn’t shut up about it and because it’s what I lead with — I’ve officially registered it as a trademark in 2024.
MAIN PRINCIPLES
The moment you’ve been waiting for. What makes a Soft Pivot® successful, intentional, fulfilling, and do-able? I wanted to create a list of principles for this because it deserves to have it’s unique way of existing. There are no rules though this will help you determine if you’re going to go through a Soft Pivot®, are in one, or would benefit from it.
The Soft Pivot® Principles:
Intentionality over speed (aka it can take awhile)
Financial safety before the shift
Work-life integration instead of balancing it all
Using your values to drive your decisions
Practicing self-awareness
Creative fulfilment drives the energy of your brand
Simplicity > Complexity
Anti-niche: Embracing your multidimensionality
Experimentation, exploration and expression era
Recalibration vs. reinvention
NEW BEGINNINGS ARE INEVITABLE
Don’t get me wrong… sometimes we do need new beginnings or a fresh start and I’m supportive of that. As long it’s not coming from a self-sabotage spree. And in a way, Soft Pivot®-ing does provide that sense of freshness.
Soft Pivot® has just been born and it’s going to grow into something bigger. I can feel that. I’m excited to see how it can guide other Creators, creatives, entrepreneurs and founders throughout their journeys — inspiring and normalizing a pivot here and there during their evolution.
Let me know your thoughts, ideas, and questions below. In another article, I will be breaking down the principles of Soft Pivot® more in depth with some examples of how clients and others have used this philosophy to change directions in their business and brand building journey.
— M