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What Madonna and I Have in Common: Reinvention as a Personal Brand Power Move

There’s a famous quote that says, “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.”

I’d argue that for some of us, it’s not just the hair. It’s the job, the purpose, the brand, the entire path. Reinvention is more than change. It’s strategy. It’s survival. It’s art.


Madonna is often cited as the ultimate reinvention queen. A pop star, provocateur, cultural chameleon. But recently, it dawned on me that I’ve been quietly doing the same thing for years. And while there were no headline tours or platinum albums involved, the art of personal reinvention has been central to both my growth and my brand.

A confident White woman and a confident Black woman, both with long hair and bold style, in front of a neutral background, symbolising reinvention, creativity, and personal brand power.
Who would have thought that Madonna and I are have something in common when it comes to our careers!

Reinvention Is Not a Fluke - It’s a Skill

Over the years, I’ve pivoted multiple times. From luxury retail to social justice. From Harrods to entrepreneurship. From corporate employee to creative strategist and consultant. Each move wasn’t just about seeking new work. It was about discovering new ways to be at work.


That journey has required resilience, yes - but also something we don’t talk about enough: creativity.


I don’t think I could have done any of it if I wasn’t creative at heart. Reinvention demands imagination. It requires you to look at your existing skills, lived experience, passions, and challenges, and ask: How can I repurpose this into something new? Something relevant? Something true?


The Personal Brand Myth: You Don’t Need to Be Just One Thing


We’ve been sold the idea that to build a strong personal brand, you have to pick one lane and stay in it. That you must reduce yourself to a niche or a single sentence. But for multi-skilled, multidimensional people like me, and maybe like you, that’s limiting at best, and soul-crushing at worst.


Personal branding isn’t about shrinking yourself to fit into a category. It’s about learning how to market the full breadth of who you are in a way that’s compelling, consistent, and clear.


I’ve spent years doing exactly that, bringing together my background in luxury fashion, digital strategy, communications, community building, social justice, and brand storytelling. At times, I worried it was “too much.” That people wouldn’t get it. But every time I’ve leaned into the full spectrum of my skills and experience, I’ve created opportunities I never would have found by staying in one lane.


Your brand isn’t just what you do. It’s the why and the how behind everything you do. Reinvention is what keeps that brand alive.


The Confidence to Evolve - Even When It’s Quiet


Let’s be honest. Reinvention sounds glamorous in hindsight. But in real time, it can feel uncertain. It often happens quietly, behind the scenes, away from the spotlight. Sometimes, it looks like stepping back to breathe. Other times, it looks like stepping forward before you’re ready.


One of the things I’ve learnt is that reinvention requires bravery, not because it’s flashy, but because it can be deeply vulnerable. It asks you to walk away from what’s known in favour of what’s aligned. That’s not easy.


But it’s in those moments that you build strength, clarity, and confidence, not just in your ability to survive, but in your ability to thrive on your own terms.


Creativity as a Catalyst


For me, creativity isn’t about having a knack for design or being good at coming up with ideas (though those help!). It’s about being able to see possibilities where others see limits. It’s about storytelling. Pattern-spotting. Connecting the dots in ways others might not.


This is what has fuelled every reinvention I’ve made. Whether I was launching STYLISA, growing Harrods’ social following to upwards of 3 million followers, building brand clarity sessions, or writing thought leadership pieces. It all came from the same creative well. The ability to see something differently and make something meaningful out of it.


Creativity gives you a competitive edge. It allows you to approach branding, not just as a box to tick, but as a canvas to express your evolution.


The Magic Is in the Marketing


It’s not enough to be talented or multi-skilled. People need to know it, and more importantly, understand how it can help them.


That’s where personal branding comes in. It’s the bridge between your reinvention and your reputation. And if you’re not telling your story in a way that connects with others, someone else will tell it for you, probably incorrectly.


One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is this: you can absolutely have a variety of interests, skills, and experiences. The key is knowing how to package and position them with purpose. This is what I help other founders do now through my consultancy, particularly those who are building businesses, seeking funding, or stepping into new leadership roles. And the first step is often this: acknowledging the reinventions they’ve already made and reclaiming them as powerful brand assets.


Evolution Is the New Consistency


I often say that clarity builds confidence. But I’d add that reinvention builds resilience. The two go hand in hand.


In today’s world, standing still is often more dangerous than changing direction. The market shifts. Industries collapse. Algorithms update. Life happens. The ability to adapt isn’t optional- it’s essential.


But what if we reframed reinvention as something to be proud of, rather than something to explain away? What if instead of asking, “Why haven’t you stuck with one thing?”, we asked, “How have you evolved to remain relevant, resilient, and real?”


That’s the real personal brand gold.


My Journey (So Far)


Here’s what reinvention has looked like for me:


  • Leaving a senior corporate role to build a purpose-led business

  • Saying yes to entrepreneurship, before I felt ready

  • Letting go of brand identities that no longer fit, even when they were successful

  • Prioritising alignment over approval

  • Leaning into quiet seasons to reimagine my next move

  • Trusting that my creativity and character will always carry me


And here’s what I’ve learnt:


Every reinvention has brought me closer to my true self. Every shift has given me new tools, new wisdom, and a new level of clarity. Reinvention isn’t rejection of who you were. It’s a deeper expression of who you are becoming.


Finally...

You don’t need to be Madonna to reinvent yourself. You just need the courage to listen to what’s calling you, the creativity to reframe your skills, and the confidence to share your story in a way that others can connect with.


Reinvention isn’t risky. Staying stuck is.


So if you’re feeling the nudge to evolve, follow it. Reinvention is rarely neat, but it’s always powerful. And if you ever need a reminder that it’s possible - look at me. I’ve done it more than once. And I’m not done yet.


You can also follow my journey on:   



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