Being vulnerable as an entrepeneur

Showing your true self, as an entrepeneur, as a person and as a designer. That is vulnerability to me. I've noticed that in the business world its pretty normal to put on a 'I'm-doing-great-mask'. This is somewhat logical, everybody wants to make a positive first impression. But are there other ways? 

Showing vulnerability makes you vulnerable. It's easier to get hurt. You have no influence on what people will say or think about you and in the end you can only wait and see what happens. Still I'm convinced that when you're authentic, this will bring good things in your life, even if the only thing would be to be happy with yourself. And by authentic I mean: letting go of the person you think people want to see, so you can be who you really are. 

In my search for vulnerability I ran into this video: Brené Brown talking in her TED talk about her research on connection. Her conclusion is that people who embrace their vulnerability have higher selfappreciation and have a feeling of being loved and belonging. How is this possible? Because they feel they deserve being loved and to belong. They have the courage to be imperfect. They are capable of putting themselves first. 

I thought this was a very interesting story and I made lots of notes. While I was listening I wondered about myself, do I show people vulnerability? Because I did not really recognize myself in the part about high selfappreciation and feeling a sense of belonging. I don't think there is a big difference in whether you show vulnerability as a entrepeneur, as a person or as a designer. Eventually it's all you. My plan now is to get more in touch with my own vulnerability and to love myself more. Now all I have to do.. is do it. Well this piece of writing is a start...