A personal brand isn’t just a logo or a tagline—it’s the essence of how you show up in the world and connect with the people who matter most to your business. But building one that’s both authentic and effective? That takes strategy, boldness, and a willingness to get real.
Below, 33 brilliant members of Dreamers & Doers share their hard-won branding wisdom—from mindset shifts to marketing tactics, visibility practices to personal stories. Whether you’re just beginning to define your presence or looking to elevate your visibility, these insights offer inspiration—and actionable ideas—to help your brand shine.
Strategic planning is crucial to success.
To build my personal brand via social media, I first determined my content pillars, tone, audience, which platforms I would focus on, how often to post, and more. I became a trusted subject matter expert on disability by continuously learning and adding value, as well as obtaining key credibility indicators. It’s also important to build a personal brand that extends beyond social media with channels that you control, like a newsletter or Substack.
Catarina Rivera, Public Speaker, DEIA Consultant, Content Creator of Blindish Latina LLC, working with organizations to advance workplace disability awareness, inclusion, and accessibility through speaking and consulting.
Focus on your strengths and communicate them clearly.
I chose the one thing I wanted to be known for and figured out the best way to communicate that to my user base. From that point forward, make that how you introduce yourself and center your capabilities accordingly. People are the new brands; humans trust other humans more than brands.
Nicole Loher, Founder of Climate Communications Collective, a boutique firm specializing in all forms of climate communications.
Share the challenges you’ve faced and lessons learned.
Embrace authenticity and share your unique journey, including the challenges you’ve faced and what you’ve learned. By being transparent about my experiences and values, I’ve connected more deeply with my community and built a brand that resonates with others who share similar aspirations and struggles. Sharing the challenges you face helps many connect more deeply with the work that you do.
Ila B Corcoran, Founder & CEO of Sengo, a community-driven platform dedicated to democratizing access to funding and resources for underrepresented founders.
Master one platform and refine your messaging.
Choose one platform and do it really well. For me, that was LinkedIn. I became intentional about showing up consistently and honing my message. Find what resonates with your ideal clients and say it over and over again until it truly sticks. Although AI is becoming a popular tool for content creation, overusing it often leads to bland messaging. Focus on using it to enhance your authentic and original voice.
Stacie Sussman, CRO of RevUp Advisory, a growth consultancy that transforms your marketing, sales, and operational efforts into measurable results, ensuring your company drives bottom-line revenue growth.
Align with your true north and make decisions accordingly.
I’ve built my personal brand by building my business from a place of authenticity, speaking my truth, and sharing my vision—my why and what I’m learning in my own life as a mom of two young girls. I remind myself every day that if I don’t live the mission of my business, I’m not doing it right. Determine what your true north is and then what will continue to pave your path to success.
Kim Richards, Founder of Caring for Mama, a movement dedicated to supporting mothers and caregivers with tangible self-care resources, corporate wellness solutions, and a growing community that prioritizes maternal and family well-being.
Consistency and value builds credibility and unexpected opportunities.
Don’t underestimate the power of showing up consistently online to build a personal brand. Just showing up is not enough. Provide consistent value and meaning to your audience to build your personal brand. Posting consistently and utilizing most—if not all—of the resources a platform provides has taken me to places I never thought I would go.
Adebukola Ajao, Digital Marketing Consultant of B.D.Y. CONSULT LLC, a marketing agency providing small businesses and brands with creative and efficient marketing services without breaking the bank.
Seek expert guidance to refine your brand messaging.
I hired a coach and branding expert to help determine the vision for my brand. They helped me not only come up with a unified and concise message, but also a portfolio of assets to match the tone, tenor, and vibe of my company. It’s important to listen to your audience and be willing to change your messaging and direction based upon what they want to hear and learn.
Jodi Klaristenfeld, President & Founder of FLRRiSH Inc, the premier resource for preemie parents helping families navigate the unexpected journey from hospital to home and the years beyond.
Authenticity makes your brand irresistible.
Everyone told me I needed to look serious to be taken seriously. The day I decided to be unapologetically me—quirks, sparkle, and all—was the day my brand finally clicked.
When you lean into who you truly are, your brand doesn’t just stand out; it becomes magnetic. That’s the future of personal branding.
Katrina Padron, Founder of Wake Me Up When I’m Famous, helping clients build partner programs that fill their pipeline with buyers rather than busywork.
Own your story to attract aligned opportunities.
The investments I’ve made in myself aren’t just about branding; they’ve been about committing to my path, owning my story, and showing up fully for the work I love. Personal branding is shifting beyond aesthetics to deeper authenticity. My journey has shown me that the most impactful brands are built by those who weave their personal story into every aspect of how they show up; not just in fonts and colors, but in the energy and experience they create.
Liz Morrison, Story Coach & Consultant of Liz Morrison Strategic Storytelling, a Story Coach and Consultant who helps ambitious professionals and innovative teams craft empowering internal and external narratives that are memorable, authentic, and inspiring.
Expand your influence in areas where you’re already established.
Take the time to identify the areas of life that mean the most to you: family, health, creativity, travel, etc. After that, think through the value you could provide others by being visible and serving in those spaces. I live out of the areas I’m most passionate about and empower others from those places.
LaKeasha Brown, Founder & Chief Juicing Officer of 1987 Juices, a wellness company serving communities through five key areas: nutrition, community development and programming, healing through sound, creative empowerment, and enterprise.
Use storytelling to strengthen your engagement.
Leverage storytelling to create real connections. By sharing my journey—from indie filmmaker to education technology innovator—I was able to demonstrate not only my expertise, but also the purpose behind my work. Consistently communicating my mission to merge creativity and impact helped establish me as a thought leader in both industries. Entrepreneurs should focus on integrating purpose-driven narratives into their personal brands, as audiences increasingly value authenticity and social impact in the brands they support. Personal branding is not just about visibility; it’s about creating a meaningful legacy.
Kimberly Rocco Shields, CEO & Founder of Genius Academy, an innovative education technology company revolutionizing professional learning through immersive, AI-driven simulations that empower learners across industries; particularly in mental health and cross-cultural communication.
Take action to establish a brand rooted in your beliefs.
Consistently showing up and taking action is the best way to build a strong personal brand. My brand promotes diversity and equity, so I donate to, volunteer for, and partner with organizations like Underground GRIT, which addresses diversity and equity directly. As entrepreneurs, it’s important to share our journeys and be more vocal about personal issues on social media.
Grace Nguyen, Founder & CEO of LOUPN, an inclusive jewelry brand intended to encourage positivity, confidence, and love.
Challenge the status quo to differentiate your brand.
I made a conscious decision to challenge the status quo. By infusing my personality—being both professional and relatable—I’ve built a brand that resonates with entrepreneurs who previously felt legal protection was out of reach or too complicated to understand. The biggest shift in personal branding is the emphasis on intellectual property protection, because building a following means nothing if someone else owns your name.
Chandler J. Esq, Attorney at Lethal Legal, a virtual intellectual property law firm protecting entrepreneurs worldwide.
Leverage your authenticity to attract meaningful partnerships.
I chose to be vulnerable about my experiences as a sexual assault survivor. Initially, sharing such personal experiences felt daunting, but I realized that authentic storytelling could create profound connections and drive real change. By openly discussing my journey and the gaps I discovered in mental health support services, I was able to build trust with my community and establish The Phoenix Project’s credibility in a way that perfectly aligned with our mission of revolutionizing women’s mental health care. Because of this, my company could secure meaningful collaborations before we had a large user base or extensive track record.
Dr. Melissa Barker, Founder & CEO of The Phoenix Project, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing women’s mental healthcare.
Make connections regularly to establish your authority.
Be intentional about meeting new people every week in whatever capacity. By consistently showing up and building relationships, I became the first person people thought of when they needed guidance on personal branding and public speaking. Embrace visibility; you don’t have time for imposter syndrome or doubt in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape.
Monica M. Rivera, Personal Brand & Communications Strategist of YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!, YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!, helping emerging and established leaders craft authentic brands that open doors to new opportunities through one-on-one strategy, keynotes, and workshops.
Share personal, relatable experiences to develop trust.
When I founded Sage Haus, I leaned into sharing my personal experiences—like the challenges of juggling motherhood, a career, and household management—because I knew so many moms could relate to that feeling of overwhelm. By being vulnerable about my own journey, I built trust and connection with my audience. Sharing challenges, lessons learned, and even failures helps humanize a brand and makes it more approachable.
Kelly Hubbell, Founder of Sage Haus, a platform that helps busy parents reclaim their time by building a village and support system, delegating, outsourcing the mental load, and creating repeatable home systems to support improved partner collaboration.
Prioritize human-to-human connections.
By sharing my journey as a female founder and tying my Arab-American heritage into the ethos of DALYA, I’ve resonated with like-minded women who value empowerment and individuality. Consistency across my messaging—from social media to in-person events—has been vital in creating trust and recognition. In today’s digital world, forming real, in-person, human-to-human connections is becoming the most important aspect of personal branding.
Farida Raafat, Founder & CEO of DALYA, a Middle Eastern-led, female-founded brand based in NYC, specializing in custom women’s clothing.
Visibility transforms passion into real-world impact.
For years, I thought my photos could do all the talking, but I quickly realized that people connect with people, not just pretty pictures. The more I showed up as myself, the more I attracted clients who wanted not just beautiful photos, but also to work with someone who sees them and captures their story in a way that feels real and impactful. The future of personal branding isn’t about perfect posts or chasing algorithms, but leading with a purpose. Impact will always matter more than impressions.
Vicki Bartel, Founder of Vicki Bartel Photography, helping female founders, industry leaders, and CEOs amplify their impact with high-end, scroll-stopping brand visuals.
Showing up builds loyalty and makes an impact.
Building a strong personal brand takes time, but I believe in the power of showing up. Consistency sets you apart right away. We’re also seeing a shift away from macro influencers and deeper trust being built with micro and nano influencers. Having a smaller audience can really be a benefit to you.
Emma Tessler, Founder & CEO of Ninety Five Media, a woman-owned and operated digital marketing agency specializing in creating high-converting content that triples clients’ growth.
Shift your mindset from consumer to creator for greater success.
Going from LinkedIn consumer to creator was a huge part of building my personal brand. Initially, it wasn’t natural to me and felt scary because I wondered who would be interested in what I have to say. I stayed consistent with posting and my followers started to grow. Some of our greatest business wins have come from those who discovered us through my LinkedIn content.
Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, a women-led company sparking moments of joy in people’s lives with delicious European-inspired foods.
Stand firm in your values to attract the right connections.
We took a stance and haven’t veered from it. We facilitate conversation for those interested in catalyzing communities for the collective good. And if the shared mission isn’t mutual between client and agency, we’re not interested. Behind-the-scenes, raw, deep, human stories are the main pathway to deep, meaningful connection.
Rachael Bischoff, Co-Founder of Sun & Sol Co., a digital marketing agency with a grounded approach to community-building through marketing and strategic storytelling.
Don’t underestimate your impact.
I reminded myself that I had value to offer at the level I had attained and that it was important to share that value and help others get there. Stop overthinking it and share your knowledge and experience without fear of other’s reactions and do it consistently, whether you feel like it or not. A strong online personal brand is important. Ensure that when your name is Googled, you’re on the first page.
Ogaga Johnson, Founder & CEO of Verisult, a training and workforce solutions company empowering career professionals and immigrants to thrive in the workforce.
Serve and connect from your personal experiences.
I’ve found that you’re in the best position to help those who are facing challenges you’ve already been through. My mindset is all about showing up and asking, “How can I serve and help people?” People increasingly want to see the real, unfiltered story—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Catalina Parker, Co-Founder of Relatable Nonprofit, empowering growth-driven people with nonprofit hearts to succeed in consulting.
Create an aspirational identity for your brand.
If you can develop an aspirational identity for your customers and leads, you’ll have tremendous brand strength. I thought no one would take me seriously with a Unicorn as a brand character, but it is now our greatest asset! Gone are the days of a perfectly manicured aesthetic and batching content. The internet wants to get to know you—the good and the messy.
Meredith Noble, Chief Grant Writing Unicorn of Learn Grant Writing, teaching burned out professionals how to write grants and make money doing it.
Boldness fuels growth and sets your brand apart.
I am my company. When someone asks about my competitors, I say my biggest competitor is myself and stepping out of my comfort zone. Be brave and lean into your story and who you are, especially in the era of AI and automated copywriting.
Marta Mielcarek, CEO of Glitterky, helping startups shine—from crafting pitch decks and shaping business concepts to delivering fully-developed apps.
Share valuable, engaging content to build loyalty.
Consistently share valuable and engaging content. I built trust and connection with my audience by blending humor and education to make wellness approachable. Over time, my blog grew a loyal following that eventually became the foundation for my business. This experience taught me the power of authenticity and consistency in building a brand that resonates and to trust my instincts.
Esosa Edosomwan, CEO & Founder of Staying Ageless Coaching, a global, virtual, holistic nutrition practice empowering women to naturally heal and reverse chronic conditions and hormone imbalances so they can live their best, healthiest lives.
Build trust through honesty.
I made a conscious decision to start doing PR for myself. Being a member of Dreamers & Doers gave me access to their PR Hype Machine and talented editorial team. When responding to PR opportunities, I really put thought into what I want to say. This takes time, but the results are worth it. There are still many entrepreneurs who feel the need to inflate their experience and success to an absurd degree. In my line of business, trust is essential. Be honest. Be who you are. Believe me—it works.
Saundra Marcel, Designer & Brand Author of Design Minded, a brand studio that artfully unites design and writing to help companies big and small achieve their creative potential.
Wear your brand boldly.
People reach out to me all the time because of the things they see me wear on social media. I’ve made new friends, contracted new clients, and connected with hundreds of people online because of it. Wearing strong branded merchandise is an incredibly powerful tool for developing your personal brand! It’s critical to be authentic to your values and personality, because audiences can sniff out “fakeness” instantly.
Amanda Hofman, CSO (Chief Swag Offer) & Co-Founder of Go To Market – The Anti-Boring Branded Merch Experts, changing the way the world handles swag by designing sustainable branded merchandise shops that reflect our clients’ brand values.
Know your audience and lean into innovation.
Understand your audience and define your niche. Craft your messaging to resonate with their needs and strategically choose the platforms where they spend their time. It takes time and effort, but the rewards are invaluable. In the future, successful personal branding will focus on authenticity, video content, and leveraging AI-powered tools for personalization, with storytelling playing a key role in connecting with audiences and standing out in the crowded digital landscape.
Marissa Joy Pick, Founder of Marissa Pick Consulting LLC, offering strategic consulting expertise in digital transformation, content marketing, social media strategy, personal branding, and other key areas.
Authenticity is key to becoming unforgettable.
Entrepreneurs should be connecting their personal brands to their businesses earlier and more often. Social media metrics point to customers preferring more authenticity and being able to engage with the entrepreneur as a person. This means forgoing the perfect headshots with white backgrounds and cute little quotes as the only type of social media posts. Post the messy and show your audience the real you.
Mandi Young, Owner of Trailblazer Design Agency, working with wedding venue owners to run their businesses efficiently and designing one-of-a-kind spaces with raving fans.
Leveraging your story strategically unlocks possibilities.
I invested in media training to refine how I share my story authentically and confidently, which gave me the tools to articulate my message effectively. This combination of authenticity and polish has been instrumental in growing my brand. Paying attention to the growing trend of incorporating tools like astrology and human design into personal branding also creates deeper alignment with their audience and showcases a unique, purpose-driven perspective.
Vanessa Farino, Founder of Creative CEO, a private network and vibrant community empowering women—especially women of color—to thrive as creative entrepreneurs.
Invest in media relations to grow credibility.
Cultivate close relationships with journalists—stick to deadlines, share unique comments, and be available for interviews. Over time, these relationships have played a key role in establishing my credibility and increasing my visibility in the media.
Jessica Alderson, CEO & Co-Founder of So Syncd, a media company that focuses on dating and personal growth.
Identify where your personality aligns with your audience’s aspirations.
Think about who you are and where that intersects with where your audience wants to go and then expand on that. Authentic personal brands highlight the highs and lows while broadening out to reveal a whole, dynamic person—not just a niche.
Kendra Koch, Founder & CEO of Divergently, a social safety net and comprehensive toolkit by and for neurodivergent women.
All individuals featured in this article are members of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.