When building or growing your business, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is whether to use someone else’s or build your own authority model.
Many new business owners choose to get certified in an already-established methodology, such as StoryBrand or Profit First.
These frameworks come with a ready-made reputation and can offer a clear, structured path to success.
But there’s another option—build your own authority model from scratch.
This approach allows you to control every aspect of your framework, customize it for your audience, and establish yourself as an industry leader.
So, which route should you take?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the advantages and pitfalls of using someone else’s signature framework versus developing your own.
We’ll break down what each option offers, using real-world examples to help you understand the benefits and drawbacks, so you can make the right decision for your business.
Advantages of Using Someone Else’s Authority Model
If you’re just starting out or looking for a structured approach to building your business, using an established framework can seem like the safer option.
Here’s why many business owners choose to get certified in someone else’s system:
1. Instant Credibility with Clients
One of the most attractive benefits of using someone else’s signature framework is the instant credibility it provides.
When you get certified in a well-known system like StoryBrand, The One Thing, or Profit First, you immediately gain the trust and recognition that comes with those brands.
For example, becoming a StoryBrand Certified Guide aligns you with a brand that’s widely respected in the marketing world.
When clients see that you’re trained in a proven methodology, they’re more likely to trust you with their business.
It removes the uncertainty they might have about whether your services will deliver results because you’re working within a system that’s already been validated by others.
Why It Matters:
Credibility is key to landing clients, especially in competitive industries.
By associating yourself with a well-known framework, you don’t have to spend as much time building trust—it’s already built into the certification.
2. Access to Proven, Repeatable Results
Another major benefit of using someone else’s framework is that it’s already been tested, refined, and proven to deliver results.
Take Profit First as an example. This financial management system, created by Mike Michalowicz, has been implemented by thousands of businesses to improve cash flow and profitability. When you become a certified Profit First Professional, you’re working with a methodology that’s already demonstrated success across industries.
You don’t have to worry about whether the process works—it’s been vetted and used successfully by countless others. This allows you to focus on helping your clients implement the system rather than refining the framework itself.
Why It Matters:
Having a proven system gives you confidence in the process, and your clients can trust that they’ll get the results they’re after.
Plus, it reduces the learning curve for you, allowing you to quickly onboard clients and start delivering value.
3. Ongoing Training and Support from the Framework’s Creators
When you get certified in an established framework, you often receive ongoing support, training, and resources from the original creators of the system.
This ensures that you stay up-to-date with the latest developments and improvements to the framework, which is essential for staying competitive.
For example, StoryBrand offers its certified guides continuous access to new tools, templates, and strategies for applying the framework.
This ongoing training allows you to deepen your understanding of the methodology while staying current with industry trends.
It also provides a community of like-minded professionals who can offer support, collaboration, and even referrals.
Why It Matters:
Having access to continuous support and resources means you’re not left on your own to figure things out. It allows you to improve your skills over time and deliver better results for your clients.
4. Built-in Marketing and Brand Recognition
One of the biggest advantages of using a well-known framework is the built-in marketing and brand recognition that comes with it.
Take The One Thing, for example. Coaches and consultants certified in The One Thing can leverage the popularity of the bestselling book to attract clients who are already familiar with the framework.
When clients are already aware of a framework’s reputation, it reduces the amount of time and effort you need to spend educating them about its benefits. Instead, you can focus on how you’ll implement the system to address their specific challenges.
Why It Matters:
Leveraging an established brand makes it easier to market your services, especially when the framework has a strong, positive reputation. It helps you attract clients who are already primed to trust the process.
Pitfalls of Using Someone Else’s Authority Model versus Building Your Own
While using an established framework has its perks, it also comes with limitations.
Here are some of the downsides to consider:
1. Limited Differentiation in the Market
One of the biggest challenges of using someone else’s framework is that it can be hard to stand out in a crowded market. When you get certified in a popular system, you join a large group of other professionals offering the same service.
While you benefit from the framework’s credibility, you may struggle to differentiate yourself from other certified practitioners.
For example, as a StoryBrand guide, you’re one of many professionals offering the same messaging strategy.
As more people get certified, it becomes harder to compete on the framework alone, and you may have to rely on pricing or extra services to stand out.
Why It Matters:
If differentiation is important to you, using someone else’s framework can limit your ability to showcase your unique expertise. Clients may see you as just another certified practitioner rather than an innovator or thought leader.
2. Lack of Flexibility and Customization
When you use someone else’s framework, you’re often bound by their rules, guidelines, and structure.
This can be limiting if you want to customize the process to fit a client’s specific needs.
Certification programs like Profit First or The EOS Model have strict guidelines about how their frameworks can be used, which means you can’t easily tweak or modify the system to better suit your approach.
This lack of flexibility can be frustrating if you feel that your clients would benefit from adjustments, or if you have additional insights that could improve the process.
Why It Matters:
Being restricted by someone else’s framework can limit your creativity and ability to innovate. If you prefer flexibility and customization, this could be a major downside.
3. Ongoing Licensing and Certification Fees
Most certification programs come with ongoing costs, such as annual licensing fees. These fees ensure that you maintain your certification and continue to receive access to resources and support.
However, they can add up over time, especially if you’re not consistently booking clients or scaling your business.
For instance, Profit First professionals pay annual fees to maintain their certification.
While these fees might seem manageable at first, they can become a burden if your revenue isn’t growing fast enough to cover them.
Why It Matters:
Ongoing fees can put pressure on your business, especially if you’re in the early stages or during slow periods. You’ll need to weigh the costs of maintaining certification against the revenue you expect to generate.
4. Building Someone Else’s Brand Instead of Your Own
Perhaps the most significant pitfall of using someone else’s framework is that you’re essentially building their brand, not your own. Every time you market your services, you’re promoting someone else’s system rather than establishing yourself as an expert with original ideas.
For example, if you’re certified in StoryBrand, you’re constantly associating yourself with Donald Miller’s framework. While this helps you in the short term, it can limit your ability to establish your own authority and unique perspective in the long run.
Why It Matters:
If your goal is to become a recognized thought leader in your industry, relying too heavily on someone else’s framework can hinder your ability to build your own brand and authority.
Advantages of Learning How to Build Your Own Authority Model
Now that we’ve explored the benefits and drawbacks of using someone else’s framework, let’s dive into the advantages of creating your own authority model.
1. Complete Control and Flexibility
One of the biggest benefits of developing your own framework is having complete control over its structure, delivery, and evolution.
When you create your own authority model, you can tailor it to your unique insights and experiences, ensuring that it fits your clients’ needs perfectly.
You also have the freedom to innovate and improve the system as you learn more about what works and what doesn’t.
This level of control allows you to adapt quickly to changes in the market or specific client requests, making your framework more agile and responsive.
Why It Matters:
Having full control over your framework gives you the freedom to customize it as needed, ensuring that it remains relevant and effective over time.
2. Building Your Own Brand and Authority
By creating your own framework, you position yourself as a thought leader and authority in your industry. Your framework becomes a reflection of your expertise, allowing you to differentiate yourself from competitors and build a reputation for innovation.
This can be a significant advantage if your long-term goal is to establish a personal brand that’s recognized for delivering results.
Developing your own framework also opens the door to scaling opportunities like writing a book, creating courses, and offering certification programs, all under your brand name.
Why It Matters:
Building your own brand gives you long-term leverage and positions you as a leader in your industry, creating more opportunities for growth and visibility.
3. Unlimited Scalability
When you own your framework, you have the freedom to monetize it in multiple ways—through online training programs, memberships, certification programs, workshops, and more.
This allows you to scale your business without being limited by someone else’s growth strategy or guidelines.
With your own authority model, you can create additional revenue streams and grow your business in a way that aligns with your vision and goals.
Why It Matters:
Owning your framework gives you the ability to scale your business in any direction, allowing you to create multiple streams of income and grow your impact.
Pitfalls of Building Your Own Authority Model
While developing your own framework offers many advantages, it’s not without its challenges.
Here are some potential downsides to consider:
1. Time-Consuming Development Process
Creating a signature framework takes time, research, and effort.
You’ll need to test your methodology with real clients, gather feedback, and refine it over time to ensure that it consistently delivers results.
This process can be slow and iterative, requiring a significant investment of time and energy upfront.
However, while it takes time to develop, the long-term payoff of owning a proven framework can be worth the effort.
Why It Matters:
Building a framework from scratch requires patience and persistence, but it can lead to greater rewards in the long run.
2. Establishing Credibility from the Ground Up
When you create your own framework, you won’t have the instant credibility that comes with using a well-known system.
You’ll need to invest in building your authority from the ground up, which can take time and effort. This means creating case studies, gathering testimonials, and demonstrating the value of your framework through consistent results.
While this can be a longer process, it ultimately leads to a stronger personal brand and more recognition as an expert.
Why It Matters:
Building credibility takes time, but once you’ve established yourself as the creator of a proven framework, you’ll reap the long-term benefits.
Which Path is Right for You?
Choosing between using someone else’s framework and building your own comes down to your long-term goals and business strategy.
If you’re looking for a faster way to build credibility and don’t mind working within someone else’s structure, getting certified in an established framework can be a great stepping stone.
However, if you’re aiming to be seen as a thought leader and want the freedom to scale your business on your terms, developing your own framework is the way to go.
Take the Next Step: Develop Your Own Signature Framework
If you’re ready to take control of your business and create a signature framework that sets you apart from the competition, I’d love to help you get started.
Whether you want to build a framework from scratch or refine your existing approach, we can work together to create a scalable system that drives results and positions you as an authority in your industry.
Book a free discovery call to start building your own framework and unlock the full potential of your business!
Using someone else’s signature framework offers instant credibility, proven results, and ongoing support, but it can also limit your differentiation and control.
On the other hand, creating your own authority model gives you the flexibility to innovate, build your brand, and scale your business on your terms—though it requires time and effort to develop.
Whichever path you choose, the key is to align it with your long-term vision for your business.
Whether you decide to get certified in an existing framework or build your own, both options can lead to success if executed with intention and focus.
