From You to Them: Connecting Your Personal and Business Brands

Seven years ago last month, my brand was born – with a dream and a crappy clipart barbell to signify helping people “shape their careers.”

It was as literal a brand as any former engineer could develop.

While it makes a great joke now, that clip art logo launched Career Benders into the world. It was far from perfect, but it taught me the most valuable branding lesson: start where you are.

That scrappy start has evolved into a brand that reflects my mission in business and the core values I bring to it.

It represents me.

Personal and business branding are intrinsically intertwined—particularly for those of us in coaching, consulting, or entrepreneurial roles where we are the brand.

So, what is a brand anyway? And how does your personal identity influence the way your business is perceived?

Let’s explore! 

What Is a Brand, Really?

A brand isn’t just a logo, color palette, or catchy tagline. While those visual elements support the brand, the true essence lies in the experience you create. A brand is the emotional connection people have with you or your business. It’s how they feel when interacting with your website, hearing you speak, or seeing your LinkedIn posts.

For solopreneurs, the line between personal and business branding is often blurry. Our authenticity, values, and personality are woven into our client engagements and become part of our business identity and reputation. 

Even in larger businesses, a leader’s personal brand can significantly impact the company’s culture and public perception. Think of household names like Richard Branson (Virgin Atlantic) or Steve Jobs (Apple)—their personal brands became business brands.

This symbiotic relationship between personal and business branding isn’t just a coincidence; it’s a strategic opportunity for differentiation. 

The Foundation: Personal Branding

Your personal brand is the starting point for any business branding exercise. It’s who you are, what you stand for, and how you present yourself to the world.

Here’s how to craft an intentional personal brand that aligns with the strengths of your business and sets you apart:

1. Define Your Values

Your values are the guiding principles that inform your decisions, messaging, and interactions. Start by asking:

• What’s most important to me, personally and professionally?
• What values do I already embody, and what carries over to my business?

For example, if you prioritize authenticity and empathy in your personal life, those values will likely show up in your business messaging and client interactions (even without trying!).

2. Find Your Voice

I might sound like a broken record, but be you.

Don’t try to be me or any other colleague. If you’re more formal, your content and engagements may be more polished. Your content may be more conversational if you’re a little more casual. 

One tone is not better than the other as long as it’s authentic to who you are. A mismatched voice can erode trust – and zap a ton of energy! – but cohesion can also create clarity and connection.

3. Build Your Reputation

Your personal brand is built as much on action as on intention. Share content that aligns with your expertise and values, network authentically, and deliver on promises. Show up as promised and in the way people expect, and you’ll resonate where you want – and should!

Extending Personal Branding to Business Branding

Once your personal brand is clear, use it as the foundation for shaping your business brand.

1. Align Your Mission

Your business’s mission statement should reflect your personal values. For example, if your personal mission is to empower people to thrive, your business mission might articulate how your products or services achieve that goal.

2. Design with Purpose

When developing visual branding (logos, websites, social media profiles), let your personal style guide the design. Think of these elements as extensions of your personality – you’ll look at them every day, possibly for years! You not only want them to feel like you, but you also want to feel personally connected to something so intimately you. 

3. Create a Seamless Experience

Consistency is key. Ensure that messaging, tone, and visuals align from your LinkedIn profile to your business website. This cohesion helps build trust and reinforces your brand’s identity.

I just went so far as to recraft each image for the items in my feature section to be sure they were consistent and brand-aligned. Look at me, listening to my own advice. 🙂 

4. Let It Evolve

Brands, like people, evolve over time. As you refine your niche, skills, and business goals, your brand will grow with you; your core values remain the anchor. 

Embracing the [Brand] Ride.

Your business will not look like it does today three years from now. Neither will you.

If my journey from clip art to cohesive brand identity taught me anything, it’s that branding is a process. You don’t need to have it all figured out on day one. Start where you are, build intentionally, and allow your personal and business brands to grow together.

The more you infuse your values, personality, and authenticity into your business, the more your brand will resonate with the people you’re meant to serve.

So, what’s your brand story?

It’s time to connect the dots between you and your business – all you have to do is start where you are, and the rest will follow.

Your Friend and Coach,
Angie Callen, CPRW, CPCC