You Have 50 Milliseconds to Be Trusted—Use Them Wisely

They say identity is a lifelong construction project—one that gets built, torn down, and rebuilt in unexpected ways. We grow up thinking we are one thing, only to wake up one day realizing we've become something else entirely. For some, that transition is gradual, like a tide slowly shifting the shoreline. For others, it’s a sharp, sudden cut—one moment you’re one person, the next, someone new.

Paige Velasquez knows this all too well. She once stood on a stage, believing music was her forever. The world clapped, the lights shined, and for a while, it seemed like the story would go as planned. But stories rarely do. Reinvention isn't a choice; sometimes, it's the only way forward. And in the space between who she was and who she would become, she found something even more powerful than performance: the ability to shape narratives, not just her own, but those of others.

For Paige Velasquez, reinvention didn’t arrive with a grand epiphany. It happened quietly, in the space between songs, in the gut-punch moments when she realized that the industry she loved didn’t quite love her back the way she wanted. And so, she pivoted—not away from storytelling, but into a new medium entirely.

One day, she was a teenage musician, chasing the rhythm of a life on stage. The next, she was navigating the art of storytelling in the corporate world, where branding and authenticity were currencies of their own. Reinvention wasn’t a decision—it was a survival instinct.

Ah, the sweet irony of youth.

At 16, Paige was on the road, a working musician with a dream—signed to management, writing songs, performing on the Radio Disney circuit. It was glamorous, sure, but also a world that demanded conformity. "We want you to cut your hair." "Sing this song instead." "Change your look." For Paige, the moment she realized success required sacrificing who she was, the stage lights dimmed.

Luckily, she had a support system that believed in agency over assimilation.

Her parents—fiercely protective of her individuality—never let the industry dictate her worth. When she felt something wasn't right, they pulled her out of it without hesitation. "They never wanted something for me more than I did," she says. It was the earliest spark of an entrepreneurial mindset: If the system doesn’t fit, build your own.

That realization carried her into the world of PR and marketing, though not without detours. She studied at the University of Texas, dipped her toes into entertainment law (only to realize contracts weren’t her thing—"I’m ultimately a creative at heart"), and landed an internship at a book PR firm. That internship turned into a years-long mentorship, and eventually, the foundation of what would become Zilker Media, the company she now leads.

Paige is the first to admit she owes much of her trajectory to mentorship.

At 22, she was managing teams and making executive decisions, not because she had all the answers, but because she had people who believed she could figure them out. Shelby Sledge, her first boss, didn’t just correct her work—she taught her why certain choices mattered. Rusty Shelton, now her business partner, pushed her past what she thought she was ready for. And when she left the book PR world and entered the political sphere for a year and a half (because why not?), another mentor, a powerful strategist, taught her how to command a room.

And what did Paige do with all this wisdom? She paid it forward. She built a company that helps people step into their own leadership roles, establishing thought leaders in industries often dominated by corporate giants.

But let’s break down what trust really means: Paige argues we’re living in an age of profound distrust—of institutions, media, and corporations—fueled by years of corporate scandals, misleading advertising, and the rise of social media exposing inconsistencies in brand narratives. We’ve seen banks collapse, tech giants harvest data without consent, and media outlets prioritize clicks over truth. The result? A skeptical public, reluctant to believe in anything that doesn’t feel personal, authentic, and unfiltered. People don’t believe in faceless brands anymore. They believe in people.

They want authenticity. They want leaders who say, This is who I am. This is what I stand for. In contrast, traditional corporate branding once relied on glossy, airbrushed perfection—carefully curated images, controlled messaging, and grandiose mission statements that rarely felt personal. But the tide has shifted. People no longer buy into polished facades; they crave the unfiltered, the relatable, the human.

It’s why Zilker Media exists: to help businesses break through the noise by being human first. Rather than relying on generic marketing jargon and sterile corporate branding, the agency crafts personalized strategies that amplify the voices behind the business. By leveraging thought leadership, storytelling, and tailored digital engagement, they position founders and executives as the approachable, authentic faces of their companies—turning trust into their most valuable asset.

No pressure, right? It’s an unsettling truth, but one that defines the world we live in. Trust isn’t built over handshakes and conversations anymore—it’s crafted in pixels, search results, and social media feeds. Your digital presence is your first impression, whether you intend it to be or not.

Paige understands this better than most. She grew up in the early days of social media, back when personal branding was a side effect of being online rather than a strategic necessity. Now, for Gen Z, it’s everything—an unrelenting digital footprint that defines who they are before they ever step into a room.

Her advice? Lead with value. Show up consistently. And for the love of all things digital, be authentic. Because in an age where trust is scarce and first impressions are instantaneous, authenticity is the only currency that holds its value. People can spot a facade from a mile away—so why waste time crafting one when the real thing resonates so much more?

And isn’t that just another form of authenticity? The idea that life and work don’t have to be rivals in a zero-sum game but rather threads in the same fabric, woven together in different ways at different times.

This sentiment resonated deeply with the Gen Z voices at the heart of this conversation, who are navigating their own version of work-life integration in an era of side hustles, digital careers, and constant connectivity. Angela, a young entrepreneur balancing multiple projects, posed a question that lingered in the air:

Her journey is one we've explored before—a determined and passionate force shaping the way for Gen Z professionals. In a previous conversation on Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life, we delved into Angela’s mission to bridge the generational gap in the workplace, a discussion that sheds even more light on the very question she asked here. If her perspective intrigues you, it's worth exploring that dialogue further.

On this note Paige admits she’s still learning how to prioritize time, and she offers a refreshing take: instead of chasing some mythical balance, she asks herself, What is the highest and best use of my time? Some seasons require an all-in hustle. Others demand a step back. The key is knowing when to switch gears.

Hard truth? No one teaches you that in business school.

In a world that demands we constantly evolve, Paige reminds us that reinvention isn’t about abandoning who we were—it’s about embracing who we are becoming. 

Listen to Uncharted Your Sidekick for Life Podcast ep 10 season 3 with Paige Velasquez Natalie Peyton: Peyton studied theatre and film in Australia, New York and LA and performed stand-up on the “three coasts.” She honed her podcast executive skills over the last 4 years developing and producing dozens of podcasts and even hosts a children’s mindfulness bedtime program

Leon Vanstone: Leon brings his curiosity and sharp interviewing skills to the table, facilitating insightful discussions with our mentors, extracting valuable lessons and insights to empower listeners on their own path to growth and achievement.

Dan Dillard: Dan, with his thoughtful approach and engaging style, delves into the minds of our mentors on the podcast, crafting compelling interviews that uncover the wisdom and experiences driving their success and impact.

This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.

If you would like to join the conversation email us at anais@foundingup.com

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