What Authentic Personal Branding Means In My Biz
(Image description: Tricia Lanette’s Patrick Nagel art collection)
This week, on yet another Zoom call, someone commented on the vibrant neon-lit backdrop behind me, "Oh! I love your 80s office!" It always gives me a zing of joy and satisfaction! You see, for 25 years, I've been curating a collection of Patrick Nagel art that would make even the most discerning collector swoon.
The Moment That Defined My Personal Brand Philosophy
It all started with a conversation with a successful entrepreneur I used to work with - a man with a penchant for luxury watches and designer everything. He wanted to celebrate my success in helping scale him business, filling his pipeline and significantly increasing his revenue. But when he suggested a diamond-encrusted timepiece as a reward, I couldn't help but wonder: was I a status symbol girl, or was I something else entirely?
At the risk of seeming ungrateful, I confessed my true desire. "That's not who I am," I said, "I'd rather have art on my walls than tell time with diamonds." And just like that, my first Nagel piece found its way into my heart and home.
Building an Authentic Personal Brand Around Your True Identity
Oh, that Nagel woman! She was everything I aspired to be as an entrepreneur - powerful, feminine, confident, with just a hint of aloofness that said, "I don’t have time for your small talk." She knew her worth without needing anyone's approval, a visionary who could create impact while looking effortlessly glamorous.
As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming her. Now, my collection has grown to the point where my walls are crying uncle, but it's an authentic expression that brings me unbridled joy.
Why Authentic Personal Branding Matters for Entrepreneurs
When people comment on my office decor during business calls, I can't help but smile. It's a reminder of how far that neon-loving, art-adoring dreamer kid has come. Now, I am the powerful woman I always envisioned - one who prefers authenticity to approval, chooses purpose over prestige, and builds a personal brand around what actually matters to me.
I've become a problem-solver, a strategist, a beacon of light for other entrepreneurs. And yes, I'm still the woman who chooses substance over status symbols. I’d rather wear Vans than Valentino.
The Business Impact of Authentic Personal Branding
This choice to honor my authentic preferences over conventional success markers has become the foundation of my entire personal branding philosophy. When you build your business identity around who you actually are rather than who you think you should be, something magical happens. Your ideal clients are drawn to your authenticity. Your personal brand becomes magnetic because it's real.
The entrepreneurs I work with often struggle with this same choice - do they build a personal brand that looks like everyone else's version of success, or do they have the courage to show up as themselves?
Creating a Personal Brand That Reflects Your Divine Assignment
So, the next time you're on a Zoom call with me, take a moment to appreciate the neon glow and 80s aesthetic behind me. It's more than decor - it's a testament to building a personal brand around your authentic identity, proof that the most powerful business decisions come from honoring who you really are.
Your personal brand should reflect your divine assignment, your unique calling, your authentic self. The world doesn't need another cookie-cutter entrepreneur. It needs the real you.
xoxo - Tricia
I'm Tricia Lanette, founder of Electric Paradise Creative. I help high-achieving women entrepreneurs create authentic personal brands that align with their divine calling and attract their ideal clients. If you're ready to build a personal brand around who you really are, I'd love to connect.
