Be the Ocean, Not the Pond: Why Playing Small Won’t Grow Your Brand
- Jessica Adanich
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
Lately, I’ve been coming across a saying in multiple places that really stuck with me:
“If you are an ocean, be an ocean. Don’t be a pond just because people can’t swim.”
It hit me because I see this mistake so often—in life, in business, and especially in branding.
Playing Small Doesn’t Serve You
When you shrink yourself down to make other people comfortable, you lose what makes you powerful in the first place. A pond is safe, small, and familiar. But it’s also limited. An ocean? That’s expansive, powerful, and unforgettable.
In business, the same rule applies. Too many brands choose to play it safe, stick to what everyone else is doing, and avoid making waves. But safe brands rarely stand out—and in today’s crowded marketplace, being safe often means being invisible.
The Purple Cow Effect
Marketing thought-leader Seth Godin calls this the “Purple Cow” effect. Imagine driving down a highway past endless fields of brown cows. You stop noticing them. But if one of those cows were purple? You’d slam on the brakes.
That’s the point: people don’t remember the safe, the ordinary, or the expected. They remember what stands out.
If you’re meant to be an ocean, don’t dilute yourself into a pond just because it feels easier—or because you worry about who can “swim” with you. The right people will be drawn to your depth.
What This Means for Branding
Being an ocean in business means:
Owning your identity. Don’t blend into the competition. Stand tall in your values and what makes you different.
Leveling up your presence. Invest in design, messaging, and strategy that reflect where you want to go, not just where you are now.
Accepting that you won’t be for everyone. And that’s okay. The strongest brands don’t try to appeal to everyone—they connect deeply with the right people.
Your Next Wave
The ocean doesn’t apologize for being vast. Neither should you. If you’re ready to level up, it’s time to stop shrinking to fit and start expanding into the brand you’re meant to be.
At DesignPod, we help businesses make that leap—from pond-sized visibility to ocean-sized impact.
Ready to stand out in your industry? Let’s work together.
Cheers to making waves,
Jess
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Download my free “Branding Basics” whitepaper for a head start! Get it here.
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