top of page

Branding Beyond the Bio: The Lessons That Shaped Me (And What They Can Teach You)

We’re told that personal branding is about polish. About being seen. About standing out.

But after two decades building brands, both my own and some of the world’s biggest, I’ve come to a different conclusion.


Personal branding, when done right, is not about ego.

It’s not a highlight reel or a social media persona.

It’s about alignment.

It’s about integrity.

It’s about doing the inner work so that the outer brand has depth, direction and meaning.


This article isn’t a how-to. It’s a reflection. A distillation of the lessons that have shaped me, through corporate life, entrepreneurship, reinvention and everything in between. And if you’re someone building a brand with purpose, I hope they guide you too.


Kindergarten class photo taken in New York, 1983, showing a diverse group of young children and their teacher seated and standing in a colourful classroom at the International Nursery School & Kindergarten.
I didn't realise it at the time, but my personal brand journey started at very young age.

You Are the Brand Before the Business Is Born

Before you pitch your offer, before you build your website, before you hit “post”, you need to know who you are.


The brand doesn’t begin with your services. It begins with your story. Your values. Your vision. People are drawn to people, not taglines. And when you take the time to build that internal clarity, it becomes easier to show up consistently, confidently, and with intention. In my experience, clarity is magnetic. If you’re not clear on what you stand for, how can you expect others to be?


Your Story is Your Superpower

I used to think my journey was too “unconventional” to share. I now realise that’s the very thing that sets me apart. The losses, the pivots, the wins, the rebuilds, these moments make your brand human. They help people connect to you not just as a professional, but as a person. I’ve seen time and time again: when I share the truth of where I’ve come from, I open a door for others to do the same. Vulnerability, when done with boundaries, builds trust. And trust builds brands.


Consistency Builds Trust. Alignment Builds Legacy.

There’s a lot of pressure to be everywhere. Post this. Re-share that. Be visible. Be loud. Be more.


But visibility without purpose is just noise. I’ve learned to be intentional with where I show up and why. I don’t chase algorithms, I follow alignment. I ask: Does this space reflect my values? Does this opportunity honour my capacity?


Branding is a long game. And legacy is built by showing up consistently with intention, not performing on demand.


Your Values Are Your Voice

I’ve walked away from opportunities that didn’t align. Not because I could afford to, but because I couldn’t afford not to. Personal branding means drawing a line in the sand and saying, This is what I stand for. Whether it’s ethical business, sustainability, equity or justice, your values are your voice. They are the invisible thread that ties everything together. When you honour them, your brand becomes more than a platform. It becomes a movement.


Visibility Without Substance Is Just Performance

There’s a lot of performance branding out there, slick, polished, curated to perfection. But the brands that stay with you? They’re the ones with substance.


I’ve seen what happens behind luxury storefronts. I’ve also seen what it means to build a brand with depth from the ground up. And I can tell you: aesthetics are nice, but authenticity is what lasts. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be real.



Reinvention Is Not a Weakness - It's a Strength

I’ve reinvented myself more times than I can count. From retail to fashion to strategy to consultancy to boardrooms, each chapter has added a layer to my brand. Reinvention isn’t failure. It’s expansion. Your personal brand doesn’t have to stay static. It should evolve with you. Every pivot you make is proof that you’re growing. Own it.



Energy Is Your Edge

You can’t pour from an empty cup. If there’s one thing I’ve come to prioritise, it’s protecting my energy. Because that energy is what people feel before they see your credentials. When I’m grounded, I communicate better. When I’m rested, I think clearer. When I’m aligned, I attract the right people. Your personal brand doesn’t just live on a website, it lives in your presence. And presence comes from energy that is nurtured, not drained.


Your Brand Isn't Just What You Build - It's What You Leave Behind

Every message. Every introduction. Every conversation. It leaves a trace.


That trace is your legacy. I used to think legacy was something far away, something to think about at the end. But I now know it’s something we create every day.


It’s in the way you treat people when no one’s watching.

It’s in the platform you build to raise others up.

It’s in the quiet decisions, not just the big ones.


Personal branding, for me, is about showing up in a way that says: I was here, and I left something better behind.


A Final Reflection

If you’re building a brand right now, whether for yourself, your business, or your next chapter, here’s what I’ll say:


Don’t start with aesthetics.

Don’t start with visibility.

Start with truth.


Because in a world of curated feeds and borrowed messaging, your truth is the rarest thing you own. And when you build from that place of honesty, intention and integrity, you don’t just build a brand. You build something that lasts.


Follow me on:   



Comments

bottom of page