HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND (Before It’s Defined FOR You)

Your personal brand is already speaking. Is it saying what you want it to?

We consume content and form snap judgments all day long. And your personal brand is working 24/7 — whether you’re being intentional about it or not.

The good news? You can shape the narrative. You can decide how you want to be perceived. You can craft a personal brand that aligns with who you are and where you’re going.

What Is a Personal Brand, Really?

For starters, your personal brand is not your logo, your LinkedIn banner, or your business card font.

Your personal brand is the intersection of how you see yourself, how others perceive you and how you show up in the world. It’s your energy, your presence, your visual cues, your communication style — and yes, your wardrobe too.

When done with intention, it becomes your superpower. When left unchecked, it can work against you.

The Cost of Being Misaligned

I’ve worked with incredible women — CEOs, founders, creatives — who feel invisible in rooms they should be owning.

Why? Because their outer presence didn’t reflect their inner brilliance.  Because they weren’t intentional about how they wanted to be perceived.

Here’s the thing: If you don’t shape your brand, someone else will. And they may not get it right.

Three Steps to Reclaim Your Personal Brand

For tactical purposes, start here:

1. Define It for Yourself

Start by asking: Who am I becoming? What do I want to be known for? This is the foundation. Without clarity, you’ll drift into default mode.

→ Try this: Write down 3 adjectives you want people to associate with you after a meeting or conversation. Think bold, thoughtful, visionary — not “nice.”

2. Audit the Gaps

Where is your current image (online or in-person) not quite telling the full story?

→ Look at your social profiles, your wardrobe, your bio. Do they reflect the next-level version of you? If not, what needs to shift?

3. Use Your Style as a Strategic Tool

Your wardrobe isn’t superficial — it’s a language. It tells people who you are before you even say a word.

→ Ask: Does my clothing reflect how I want to feel and be perceived? If not, it’s time for a refresh. Not a makeover. A realignment.

Journal Your Way to Clarity

Here are five prompts to deepen this work:

1. What am I known for — and is it what I want to be known for?

2. When do I feel most me? What am I wearing, doing or saying in those moments?

3. What part of my brand feels outdated or outgrown?

4. What do I want people to feel when they enter a room with me?

5. If I could dress and show up exactly how I wanted what would change?

Your Brand, Your Power

Owning your personal brand isn’t about performance. It’s about alignment. It’s about stepping fully into your truth and letting everything else catch up.

You don’t need to become someone new. You just need to show the world who you already are.

And if you're ready to dig deeper, that's exactly what my Personal Brand Experience is designed for. It's not just about looking the part. It's about becoming it — authentically, unapologetically and strategically.

Because when you're clear on who you are, the world gets clear, too.

If this post stirred something in you, it’s time to act. Let’s shape a personal brand that’s aligned, authentic and magnetic. Learn more about the Personal Brand Experience → right here.

About the author: Catherine knows firsthand how powerful it is to feel seen — not just for what you do, but for who you are. With her background in branding, she helps women bridge the gap between how they see themselves and how the world sees them, all through their wardrobe choices.