At a certain point in my life, even though I was great at my job, I knew it was not my purpose. For years I’d been trying to find that right gig that would light up my heart. When I found image consulting, my inner fire was ignited. This was it! So I left the comfort, security, steady pay, and familiarity of my career to leap into the unknown where I had no road map, guide, or certainty. But I had an inner fire, passion, faith, and belief that I had what it took to make it happen. But I realized there are aspects of my life I’m pretty private about and my growth edge with authenticity is to be more open about those when appropriate and in the right context. To lean into that muscle today, here are a few things you may not know about me...maybe.

Discover the 5 pillars of creating a memorable and impactful business brand. When executed using this foundation, your brand will resonate on an emotional level with your target client or customer, so much so that they are drawn to you and your offerings and become champions for your brand.

Teachers make the best leaders, and they have much to teach us about leadership. Leveraging my experience as an adjunct lecturer I share three lessons I learned teaching Community College students, and how those lessons apply to all types of leaders.

Authenticity in branding is about being genuine and real. It is one of the five pillars I talk about in creating a R.E.A.D.Y. brand, and it’s one of my brand attributes as a woman and business owner. Michelle Obama is a prominent, authentic brand. She has mastered the art of being relevant, relatable, and down-to-earth, regardless of where you encounter her. Here are some ways you can cultivate authenticity as a brand attribute.

Our words leave an indelible print of our time here on earth. Our words can uplift, edify, elevate, or enlighten. Or they can dis-empower, tear down, vilify and condemn. In our spheres of influence, our words leave a legacy that should give us pause before we speak, tweet, post, or share. Learning to harness the power of our words matters so much more when our views become increasingly divergent from one another. As a purpose-driven woman, ensure that you wield the power of your words wisely.

Authenticity is at the heart of every powerful, impactful, and influential leader. As an aspiring leader, the fastest path to crafting a brand reputation that is aligned with the best of what you have to offer is simply being authentic. Only when your actions and words are congruent with your beliefs and values and you are showing up fully as yourself, are you leading authentically. It is your differentiator, your secret sauce.

Many newbies think personal branding is all about their social media presence and website design. While these are certainly important aspects of your marketing and branding, the heart of your personal brand is about you—your entire persona. It includes your personality, strengths, values, beliefs, experiences, and your own image. Here are six personal branding checkpoints.

As our culture becomes more technologically sophisticated, the rate at which we are bombarded by images which erode and negatively impact our self-esteem increase. How do we move the needle in the other direction? Perhaps by discovering our purpose, unearthing our significance to this earth, and trusting in our innate excellence.

Facing vulnerability head on is the only way to move forward authentically and experience true intimacy in our relationships. Here are five strategies to lean into vulnerability successfully.