Do You Really Want to Be “Professional”?
(And who decided what that even means?)
Somewhere along the way, “professionalism” stopped meaning “reliable” or “skilled” and started meaning “polished,” “quiet,” “conforming,” and “always available.” And if you dig a little deeper? You’ll find that the version of “professional” most of us were taught is rooted in white supremacy, patriarchy, and ableism.
That might sound intense—but it’s true.
The systems that defined what a “professional” looks like, sounds like, and acts like were created by white men in power to reflect… white men in power. The suits. The 9–5 grind. The unspoken expectation that you should work like you don’t have a body, family, culture, or soul.
And somehow, that legacy made its way into creative businesses. Even the ones built by folks who wanted to do things differently.
“Professionalism” Is Not Neutral
Here’s what’s often hidden behind the idea of professionalism:
A Black woman’s natural hair is “unprofessional.”
A neurodivergent entrepreneur’s communication style is “unprofessional.”
A queer person’s gender expression is “unprofessional.”
Someone needing flexibility due to chronic illness is “unprofessional.”
If “professional” means we have to strip away culture, personality, or humanity to be taken seriously—maybe it’s time to stop aspiring to it.
Instead of asking, “How do I look more professional?”
Ask, “Who decided what counts as professional—and do I still want to play by those rules?”
You’re Allowed to Build Something Better
The point isn’t to burn everything down. The point is to get curious about what you’re doing out of habit—and what you’re doing out of choice.
You can lead calls from your couch and still deliver transformational work.
You can use async tools instead of “urgent” Slack pings and still run a smooth team.
You can offboard clients with warmth and clarity without needing it to look corporate.
You don’t need to perform someone else’s version of professionalism to be taken seriously. You just need a process that reflects how you work best—and creates a consistent, values-aligned experience for your clients.
Want to Dig Deeper?
I sat down with Becky Mollenkamp—an accountability coach and intersectional feminist—to explore how “professionalism” shows up in our businesses, how to start dismantling internalized systems of oppression, and what it really looks like to build a business on your own terms.
Listen in if you’ve ever questioned the rules you inherited about what it means to “do business right.”
Key Takeaways:
“Professionalism” is not a neutral standard—it’s rooted in white supremacy, patriarchy, and ableism.
Reclaiming your client journey starts with questioning what you’ve been told is “right” or “normal.”
Building a values-aligned business isn’t unprofessional—it’s deeply intentional and incredibly powerful.
