The Importance of Personal Branding in Entrepreneurship
- Akino Davis
- Feb 23
- 6 min read
"Becoming An Entrepreneur: Beginner's Guide"
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Welcome back to the Becoming An Entrepreneur Newsletter! Last week, we explored Choosing the Right Learning Path as an Aspiring Entrepreneur, discussing how to choose learning tools that align with your entrepreneurial goals and help you grow your business.
This week, we’re continuing with our new theme: Building a Personal Brand as a New Entrepreneur. Today’s focus is on something that often feels overwhelming for new entrepreneurs: the importance of personal branding and how it can make or break their entrepreneurial journey.
“What if no one connects with my message?”
You're not alone if you’ve ever worried that your audience won’t notice you or that your story isn’t compelling enough. One of the biggest fears professionals face when transitioning into entrepreneurship is becoming invisible.
In the corporate world, your reputation often speaks for itself where titles, positions, and roles offer instant credibility. But as a new entrepreneur, you are the brand, and the fear of putting yourself out there can be paralyzing.
I remember this fear all too well. When I launched SME Digital, I thought my corporate experience would naturally attract clients. I had the skills, expertise, and knowledge, but what I didn’t have was a personal brand that allowed people to connect with me. Without that, I felt like I was shouting into the void.
That’s when I realized something crucial: people don’t buy from businesses. They buy from people.
The Key Problem: Without a Personal Brand, You’re Invisible
As professionals transitioning into entrepreneurship, one of the biggest challenges is learning how to stand out. You’re no longer backed by a company’s reputation and you’re on your own.
And here’s where many new entrepreneurs stumble:
They hide behind their business name, thinking it will speak for itself.
They downplay their story, believing it’s not interesting or unique.
They focus exclusively on their products or services, without showing the person behind them.
The result? No trust, no connection, and no sales.
Clients want to know the person they’re working with. They want to understand your motivations, your journey, and most importantly, why they should trust you. Without a personal brand that tells that story, you’re just another option in a crowded market.
Why Common Approaches Don’t Work
Many new entrepreneurs misunderstand personal branding. They think it means:
Posting generic motivational quotes on LinkedIn.
Creating a polished logo and catchy tagline.
Using buzzwords like “passionate,” “driven,” and “innovative.”
The problem with these approaches? They lack authenticity and depth.
Here’s why they don’t work:
They’re surface-level. A sleek logo or trendy tagline doesn’t tell your story or show who you are.
They’re generic. Motivational quotes don’t help people connect with you on a personal level.
They don’t build trust. Buzzwords feel empty when they’re not backed by real stories and experiences.
The truth is, people want to connect with people. Not faceless brands or perfect images. They want to see the real you.
My Recommended Solution: Building an Authentic Personal Brand
The good news? You already have everything you need to build a personal brand that resonates.
Here’s how I coach my clients to create personal brands that attract the right audience and build lasting connections:
1️. Own Your Story
Your story is your greatest asset. It’s what makes you unique, even if you offer the same services as others in your industry.
When I first launched SME Digital, I hesitated to share my journey. I thought, “Why would anyone care about my background?” But once I started opening up about my transition from corporate to entrepreneurship; the fears, mistakes, and wins, people started connecting.
Action Step: Write down your entrepreneurial journey. What motivated you to start your business? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? Share that story with your audience. It’s what makes you relatable and trustworthy.
2️. Define Your Message
A strong personal brand is built around a clear, consistent message. It tells people who you help, what you do, and why you do it.
For me, that message is simple: I help high-performing professionals confidently transition into successful entrepreneurs—without the overwhelm.
Action Step: Identify your message. Who do you help? What problem do you solve? What makes your approach unique? Craft a simple, clear statement that communicates that message to your audience.
3️. Show Up Consistently
Personal branding isn’t a one-time effort. It’s about showing up regularly so people can get to know, like, and trust you.
I committed to posting on LinkedIn three times a week, sharing insights, stories, and lessons from my entrepreneurial journey. It wasn’t about being perfect, it was about being consistent and authentic.
Action Step: Choose one or two platforms where your audience hangs out and commit to showing up consistently. Share your journey, your expertise, and your message regularly.
4️. Let Your Personality Shine
People connect with people. Not businesses. Let your audience see the real you.
I started sharing not just my business wins but also the challenges and mistakes I made along the way. I even shared personal moments like spending time with my family, my love for gardening, and how I use my “Mindset Mugs” to start my day with intention.
These posts often got more engagement than my business tips because they showed my human side.
Action Step: Share behind-the-scenes moments, personal stories, or hobbies that make you relatable. Let your audience see the person behind the brand.
5️. Position Yourself as an Expert
While authenticity is crucial, your personal brand should also position you as someone who can solve your audience’s problems.
This doesn’t mean bragging. It means demonstrating your expertise through valuable content, case studies, and client success stories.
Action Step: Share actionable tips, advice, and success stories that highlight your expertise. Position yourself as a trusted guide who can help your audience achieve their goals.
A Personal Example: When My Brand Finally Clicked
The turning point for SME Digital came when I stopped trying to sound like every other business coach and started focusing on my unique story and message.
I shared my struggles transitioning from corporate life, the fears I faced, and how I overcame them. I spoke directly to my target audience; professionals who were where I once was.
That shift in focus changed everything. I started attracting clients who resonated with my journey, trusted my expertise, and wanted to work with me, not just for my services, but because they connected with me.
The Payoff: Why Personal Branding Matters
When you build a strong personal brand, here’s what happens:
You attract clients who resonate with your message.
You stand out in a crowded market.
You build trust faster because people buy from those they know, like, and trust.
You create lasting relationships that go beyond a single transaction.
In short, your personal brand becomes your most powerful marketing tool.
Final Thoughts: Your Personal Brand Is Your Superpower
If you’re transitioning into entrepreneurship, your personal brand isn’t optional. It’s essential.
It’s not about being perfect or having a massive following. It’s about being authentic, consistent, and clear about who you are and what you stand for.
Remember, people don’t just buy products or services. They buy from people they trust. Your story, your journey, and your unique perspective are what will set you apart and attract the right clients to your business.
So, ask yourself today:
What’s my story?
What message do I want to share?
How can I consistently show up and connect with my audience?
Your personal brand is your superpower. Use it to build deeper connections, grow your business, and create meaningful impact.
If you found this helpful and want more strategies to help you transition from a high-performing professional to a successful entrepreneur, join the Becoming An Entrepreneur Newsletter.
Every week, I share practical tips, strategies, and tools to help you build your brand, grow your business, and navigate the entrepreneurial journey with confidence. Subscribe here and let’s build your brand, and your business, together.
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