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Minisode #7: Personal Branding is Not About What You Do, It's About Who You Are

Season #1

In this reflective minisode, Brand of a Leader co-founders Marina Byezhanova and Stefano Faustini discuss the transformative personal branding journey of Sun Ah Brock, founder of a leading interior design studio. They explore how Sun Ah evolved from someone deeply resistant to personal branding to embracing her authentic voice and creating meaningful impact.

Marina and Stefano share insights about Sun Ah's unique story as a Korean adoptee and how her exploration of identity became central to her personal brand. They discuss her journey from questioning "why would anyone listen to me?" to confidently taking the stage and moving audiences with her story. The co-founders highlight how Sun Ah's personal philosophy of "feelings over things" has not only shaped her personal brand but revolutionized her business approach in an industry typically focused on surfaces and aesthetics.

Takeaways

  • Personal branding is fundamentally about identity rather than profession
  • Resistance to personal branding often stems from questioning one's worthiness
  • The most personal stories are often the most powerful to share
  • A well-developed personal brand can transform not just personal visibility but entire business models
  • Effective personal branding requires not just storytelling but a clear message and purpose

Sound Bites

  • "Personal branding is not about what you do. It is about who you are."
  • "The inner story, the story of identity, the story of who we are... those are the things that need to come out."
  • "The journey of personal branding is ongoing and kind of a forever thing."
  • "In addition to telling our story, be clear on what is the message for others."
  • "Feelings over things."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Sun Ah Brock's Story
01:30 - From Resistance to Embracing Personal Branding
03:10 - The Connection Between Identity and Personal Branding
04:45 - Witnessing Sun Ah's Transformation
06:10 - The Importance of Message Beyond Story
08:15 - How Personal Brand Transformed Sun Ah's Business