We are still feeling the positive energy from Braviant’s EMPOWER 2025 last month as our team and industry leaders gathered to share insights, build connections, and gain fresh perspectives on innovation in the financial industry. Of the many outstanding sessions, Sterling Hawkins’ keynote on #NoMatterWhat left our team both challenged and inspired.
Embracing Discomfort as a Catalyst for Growth
Hawkins’ philosophy that true growth - both personal and professional - happens when we deliberately step outside our comfort zones, resonated deeply with our Braviant Builders.
“Comfort is the enemy of progress,” Hawkins preached as he shared stories from his own entrepreneurial journey. Sterling Hawkins is a renowned entrepreneur, international keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book “Hunting Discomfort: How to Get Breakthrough Results in Life and Business No Matter What.” As a 5th-generation retailer, he experienced both success and failure and transformed that experience into a powerful methodology for innovation and growth.
“The most significant breakthroughs in your life and business will come when you actively hunt discomfort rather than avoid it,” continued Hawkins as he challenged our team to identify areas where we may be playing it safe and commit to taking bold actions despite uncertainty, fear, or potential failure. His message was not about reckless risk-taking but rather about developing resilience and the mental fortitude to push through obstacles that may otherwise derail important initiatives.
Hawkins #NoMatterWhat mindset exemplifies an unwavering commitment to achieving goals despite obstacles, setbacks, or changing circumstances. "When you adopt a #NoMatterWhat attitude, you're making a declaration that excuses are no longer acceptable," Hawkins explained. "You're committing to finding a way forward regardless of what challenges arise."
Aligning with Braviant's Customer-Centric Mission
As a company committed to servicing our customers with innovative financial solutions, Braviant’s core values align with Hawkins’ message about hunting discomfort.
Kim Anderson, CEO of Braviant, emphasized this connection. “In the financial services industry, real innovation happens when we’re willing to challenge conventional thinking and push beyond traditional boundaries - all while keeping our customers’ needs at the center of everything we do. Sterling Hawkins’ #NoMatterWhat mindset is not just inspiration - it’s essential to delivery the kind of transformative solutions our customers deserve.”
True customer-centric solutions require listening deeply to customers’ needs, challenging assumptions, and venturing into uncomfortable territory to deliver exceptional value.
Our commitment to serving customers doesn't waver when challenges arise—whether they're regulatory hurdles, technological limitations, or market shifts. Instead, like Hawkins advocates, we embrace these challenges as opportunities to demonstrate our unwavering dedication to our mission.
Taking Action: From Inspiration to Implementation
As the conference concluded, attendees were not just inspired but equipped with actionable strategies to implement Hawkins' philosophy. Interactive workshops following the keynote helped teams identify specific areas where hunting discomfort could lead to breakthrough innovations in customer experience.
The Braviant leadership team has already begun incorporating elements of the #NoMatterWhat framework into our strategic planning processes, ensuring that customer needs remain at the center of every decision—no matter what challenges we face.
Looking Forward
As we return to our daily operations with renewed purpose and perspective, Hawkins' message continues to echo: growth requires discomfort, and our highest potential lies just beyond the boundaries of what feels safe and familiar.
For our customers, this means a renewed commitment to finding solutions that truly address their needs, even when it requires us to venture into uncharted territory. For our team members, it's an invitation to bring bold ideas forward without fear of failure.
Sterling Hawkins reminded us that our greatest limitations aren't external—they're the mental barriers we place on ourselves. At Braviant, we're committed to breaking through those barriers to create exceptional experiences for our customers, #NoMatterWhat.
