Are You Happy?

July 16, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Do what you love and the money will follow?”

I used to think that was a sweet, albeit unrealistic saying. I mean, I was an opera singer for goodness sake. I poured my whole heart and soul into it and never made any real money.

Admittedly, I never made it to the Met and perhaps if I had had more artistic success, I would be singing a different tune right now. (Sorry, couldn’t resist that one….)

However, what I’ve come to realize is, doing what you love truly IS the path to joy and abundance. The trick is, most of us are not completely dialed in to what we want and perhaps more importantly WHY we want it.

Even though I passionately love, love, love singing (I mean I really love it), when I was younger, my singing meant something very different to me.

It meant a way out.

There’s’ no way at the age for 20 I could have told you from what exactly I was trying to escape. I just knew I thought singing was going to be my ticket to happiness.

Here’s what I thought singing would do for me….

-give me validation.
-make me famous.
-provide me with lots of money (when I got famous).
-make me feel important.
-make me feel beautiful.
-bring me adoration.
-bring me praise.
-bring me recognition.
-make me popular.

If you’ve ever had the lovely opportunity to have a laryngoscope shoved down your throat, that’s a long tube with a camera attached, you would know your vocal chords are tiny. On average, they’re only about 12-24 mm’s long and 3-5 mm’s thick. That’s it.

When I think of all the pressure I was putting on those two, teeny folds, sheesh, of course, there was NO WAY they could stand up to the pressure!! How could something so small and delicate possibly carry the weight of my entire happiness? Obviously, they couldn’t.

I know there are fabulous singers who had/have just as many misguided, neurotic motivations to be performers as I did who went on to have fabulous careers. I think it’s fair to say there are a LOT of messed up, extremely “successful” artists out there. But I couldn’t do it. My body wouldn’t let me.

The more I WANTED “it,” the tighter I got. I remember very clearly trying to sing in a masterclass where my jaw got so tight, I literally could not open my mouth. How’s that for your body trying to tell you something?

Believe me when I tell you, it was extremely painful. I felt like a leopard without spots. Why would God give me this gift if I couldn’t use it?

The problem was I was asking something of my singing it could never give me. I was begging it to show me I was lovable, but there’s no way it could because deep down, I didn’t believe it. I treated singing like an insecure teenager treats her wardrobe. I was riddled with self-loathing and insecurity.

Luckily, all the pain and disappoint I felt drove me to find answers. “Why is this happening to me? How can I feel better? Is there something else I should be doing with my life?”

I began an intense journey of self-discovery and healing that continues to this day. Obviously, I stopped pursuing a professional singing career to become an entrepreneur, however, the story doesn’t stop there.

I recently had a major epiphany.

For the past several months, I’ve been waking up depressed, not in a full-on depression kind of way, but generally down. I know a lot of happiness tools, so usually by mid-morning my mood improved. However, it was starting to really bother me to start my day this way.

Again, I began asking myself, “Why is this happening to me? How can I feel better? Is there something else I should be doing with my life?”

The answer came back a big YES!

I realized I had been operating my business to some degree in the same way I used to approach my singing, looking for outside validation. I was trying to figure out just the right program, meme, photo or blog post that was going to get people to respond to me. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for marketing and promoting your business, but my flavor of outside-in approval was rearing it’s ugly head again and reeking havoc on my happiness.

I’ll admit, it totally sucked to come to this realization, but I am sooooo grateful because it brought me back to myself.

I know that I know that I know when you honor who you are first, you create happiness and abundance which is why I have decided to make some changes in they way I do things around here.

Don’t worry, I’m still going to give tips and concrete strategies to build your business, but I am also going to be talking a LOT more about holistic success. Because YOU are a whole person. If you are not happy and healthy, you will never create the kind of business that lights you up and makes you money at the same time.

Your business needs to be an expression of who you are at your most creative, expressive, talented, intelligent, LOVING core. When you create a business from that place, you understand why and how you are here to serve. You build a true tribe that loves you and hangs on your every word.

I have spent the past 30 years learning how to love, honor and express who I am to be happy and prosperous. I want to help you do the same.

I can tell you from personal experience, if you don’t create your business in alignment with your deepest desires, it will mess with your mojo. Believe me, I know. On the flip side, if you do, it’s sunshine and roses Baby! (Did I mention I woke up in a good mode today?:)

If you’d like to know how to create a business that makes you happy and profitable, CLICK HERE=>bit.ly/ProfitStratgy

Until next time, here’s to hitting all your high notes.
xo

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Brand Happiness, Entrepreneurial Success, Finding Your Purpose, Finding your support, Life Lessons, Overcoming challenges, Personal Branding

How Not To Die A Miserable Wretch

September 10, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Life stinks and then you die. Sadly, that’s what a lot of people think. Even if they don’t think it, they certainly act that way.

Why are so many people miserable?

Maybe you’re thinking “That’s not me, I’m not miserable.” That’s great, but can you honestly say you have a deep sense of peace, calm and contentment? If so, give me a call and we can hang out on my deck together. Unfortunately, that’s not how most people feel on a regular basis.

What does this have to do with branding?… Everything!
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Brand Happiness, Finding your flow, Personal Branding

The Summer Of Desire

June 16, 2015 By 1 Comment

“The Summer of Desire” It sounds like a steamy romance novel and well, it is sort of… Or maybe I should say it could be. It could be YOUR sultry story.

As entrepreneurs we are hard-wired to be ambitious. It seems like every waking hour is dedicated to thinking about how to build our businesses. “How can I reach more clients? What products should I develop? What training course will help me get to the next level? Should I use Infusionsoft or Ontraport?” And the list goes on…

This may surprise you, but thinking too much can be detrimental to your success. Being overly analytical stymies creativity and leaves no room for the heart. Of course, you need strategy to stay on track and you need grit to get the work done, but all work and no romance leaves Jane a boring and mediocre fem-bot. What you need is a little intrigue. Oh, la, la!

Passion is the fuel for all great endeavors@HeatherPoduska (tweet this)

Passion takes your breath away. Passion gives your vision wings. Passion makes your feel alive.

Passion can also help you feel fully expressed when doing something you love. When you love what you do, your imagination can kicks in to high gear and you become wickedly innovative. That’s how great brands are birthed and fortunes made.

How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all of its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of Light against its being; otherwise we all remain too frightened. -Hafiz

For many of us, the idea of leading a more passionate life sounds great, but we get stuck in our heads. We want more joy, but we don’t know how to access the part of ourselves that will lead to greater fulfillment. I’ll admit, even for the most enlightened pleasure-seekers, navigating a path to our molten core can be challenging in a world filled with iphones and incessant alerts. Thankfully, we have summer.

I invite you to take advantage of the heat and sun to allow your desires to percolate. Use this time to massage your deepest longings and give credence to their callings. If you do, you may find answers to questions you never even thought to ask and your business will take on new life and meaning.

Here are a few suggestions to help you ignite your flame this summer: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Finding your flow, Finding Your Purpose, Finding Your Voice, Life Lessons, Success Strategies, Winning mindsets Tagged With: , , , , ,

Is Your Brand a One-Note-Wonder?

January 9, 2015 By Leave a Comment

The other day I was watching America’s Test Kitchen where they were making the most delicious pasta dish with pork and mushrooms. My mouth was watering. What made the dish look so delectable was the steps they took to finish the sauce.

First, they ground the pork and made it into a patty. Then they cooked the patty like a hamburger to crisp up the outside, but left the middle very pink and soft. To finish cooking the meat they chopped up the patty and added cream to the pan which soaked up the drippings from the frying process. Yummm!!

You could tell it was going to taste amazing, nothing like my Wednesday night pasta of ground turkey and a jar of Ragu. No, their sauce was rich and interesting. The textures varied and the flavor deep. I’m sure if you tried it, you wouldn’t want the experience to end. 

Strangely enough, the sauce got me thinking about branding….

In order to create a clear, strong brand it is very important to narrow your focus. If you try to be too many things to too many people you can’t carve out a unique niche and therefore, waste a lot of time, money and energy on marketing and projects that don’t resonate with a loyal audience. Fortunately, entrepreneurs are starting to wake up to the importance of good branding and I see them making real strides in leveraging their strengths.

However, I’ve also noticed a very disturbing and counterproductive trend…

Entrepreneurs feel a lot pressure to brand themselves “correctly.” They want to make decisions that will help them stand out and be most profitable, but they get confused about how to bring everything together in a way that feels good. What they end up doing is choosing what they think makes the most sense and then they leap. Does this sound familiar to you?

Unfortunately, what usually happens under these circumstances is you end up cutting off very valuable pieces of yourself. What’s left is a bland, one-note brand. You cut off those crispy bits that add all the flavor!

Strong brands are narrow, but extraordinary brands are narrow and deep. They have layers. They are interesting and succulent.–HP (tweet this)

I saw a very cool masterclass recently with the great American soprano, Renee Fleming. She was coaching a young mezzo with an absolutely gorgeous voice. The critique Ms. Fleming gave was although her voice was beautiful, the young mezzo’s sound lacked interest because it was all aligned the same way. She needed to play with different kinds of resonances to add color and spice things up. Such great advice for branding!

We work so hard to figure things out, to find our lane, to zip it all up. However, once we get the main genre, life coach, money coach, event planner etc. we tend to park it. If you are an expert, and I’m sure you are, you are not a newbie. You have that first piece figured out. Now you need to go deeper, have more fun. You can and should explore all the colors of your voice. You don’t have to cross the double yellow lines, but you can certainly hug the edge once in a while.

When you do, suddenly your brand will take on more shimmer. It will carry to the back of the hall. The guy in the third row will break into tears. The usher will tweet all her friends about how they have to come and see the next show!

It takes a little courage to own all of who you are, but the results can be magnificent. With each new day and each new inch of authenticity you feel more energized and more richly YOU. You start to separate from the herd and gather a band of merry followers. You become their benevolent pied piper, leading them to higher ground, showing them the way to their own biggest transformation.

So ask yourself, do you want to be a one-note-wonder or a wonderfully, complex and integrated power-house?

If you need help releasing the full beauty of your voice, I invite you to apply for a Complimentary Consultation with me by clicking this link: Complimentary Consultation Application

Until next time, here’s to hitting all your high notes!

xo

 

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building, Finding Your Voice Tagged With: , , , ,

Is Your Brand Playing Elevator Music?

October 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment

The other day I was at the mall with my daughter to get her first pair of Uggs. When you’re 13, it’s part of the uniform. While we were shopping around, I noticed some music playing in the background. I knew I recognized the tune, but I just couldn’t figure out the song. Finally, it hit me. It was a Katy Perry song.

The reason I didn’t recognize it at first was because it was essentially elevator music. The song was so watered down, I wasn’t able to connect it to the original.

Katy Perry may not be the edgiest artist out there, but she’s certainly no Frank Sinatra, may Blue Eyes rest in peace. Katy Perry is a young, hip, relevant and kind of kooky pop star. Every characteristic of the music I know to be hers was stripped away and shoved through some kind of musical sanitation process to create the new boring, unoffensive version. Snoresville…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….

Unfortunately, too many entrepreneurs do the same thing with their brands. In an effort to appeal to the masses, they siphon off the qualities that would in fact, make them unique and stand out. As a result, their brands become background noise.

We are so afraid of loosing our audience, missing out on opportunities or being criticized, we keep our true selves hidden and protected. In doing so we create the results we are trying so hard to avoid.

My greatest opportunities have always come from standing firmly in my truth. It is a lesson I learn over and over again. The more of myself I bring to the table, the more boisterously my audiences responds. Do I offend some people? Sure I do. But here’s the real kick in the pants. The more I lean into who I am, the less I care about pleasing everyone. I get so much joy and satisfaction from running my business as myself, it far outweighs the sting of rejection or criticism.

It is soooooo much more fun to be yourself. And it is sooooooo much more lucrative! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding Tagged With: , , ,

Are You Satisfied?

October 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment

I heard a really interesting interview recently with Oprah and the comedian, Kevin Hart, where they were talking about success. Now clearly both Oprah and Kevin Hart are already successful, to the tune of a billion dollars, thank you very much. Oprah asked Kevin if he felt successful and he said, “Yes, of course, but there’s always something more.” More? More than $25 Million? More than $1 Billion??

Actually, yes. Kevin and Oprah both agreed each one of us is always aiming for the next highest expression of ourselves. Wow, that is awesome. THAT is creativity. THAT is BRANDING!

It doesn’t matter if you are making $100,000 or $10,000,000. We are all human beings. We are all reaching for the next thing. The problem is many of us don’t know what that next thing is. And the reason we don’t know is because we are looking for external  answers.

The answer to our greatest success comes from knowing ourselves. When we understand what we value, what our passions are, what our vision for the world is, then the pieces start to fall in place. There is no guessing. Instead, there is an inner compass that guides our path, that makes our decisions seamless because they are in alignment with who we are at the core.

When you are making millions of dollars, you are past the point of worrying about whether or not you can put food on the table. You are financially successful, but does that mean you call it a day? I don’t think so. If financial success were enough for total fulfillment, we would not be hearing from the likes of Richard Branson or Mark Zuckerberg anymore. Beyonce and Jay-Z would just pack up their yacht and sail off into the sunset.

As human beings there is an inner drive for self-actualization, to become the highest version of ourselves. There is a need to be seen and heard and to feel relevant. And most importantly, I believe there is a need to express ourselves and to have that expression create connection.

Let’s play a game, shall we. Pretend you are the richest person in the world. You can buy anything you want, go anywhere you want, do anything you want. What would you buy? Where would you go? What would you do? This is a fun game, isn’t it? Now ask yourself “Why?” Why would you buy the Ferrari? Why would you go to Africa? Why would you create a charitable foundation?

For the way it would make you FEEL.

If you went on safari, you’d be on an adventure, you’d be learning, you’d see beautiful animals and landscape. You would experience awe and beauty. It would feed your soul. If you bought a Ferrari, you’d gain status and recognition, you’d be expressing your wild and fast nature, you’d’ FEEL sexy and powerful. If you started a charity, you’d be giving of yourself, connecting to a cause you care about deeply, you’d gain a feeling of gratitude and generosity.

Do you see a pattern here? It’s’ about feeling, connection, passion, expression. It’s not just about the money. It’s about being wildly ALIVE. Of course, the money is vital to the equation. You need the money to actualize, but understanding what the drive is behind the desire for money is critical to both success and happiness.

We tend to think the next level of financial success is going to make us fulfilled, but that is back-asswards. When we understand what fulfills us, we make better decisions about how to make our money. We are happier, more open, we connect more freely and we have more to give. Our creativity skyrockets and we become more innovative and energized. Who doesn’t want more of that?!

If you are not feeling those things in your business now, there is room for improvement. The more you can connect deeply with who you are and how you want to show up in the world, the easier it will be to know your next move.

If you are yearning for a more meaningful version of success, I invite you to apply for a Complimentary Consultation with me here by CLICKING HERE=> http://bit.ly/1pHt7FC

 

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Success Strategies Tagged With: , , , ,

5 Smokin’ Hot Tips to Insanely Increase Your Creativity

June 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Hey, whad’ya think of this blog title? Pretty slammin, huh? I hope it captured your attention!

What do you think of these little guys?

“7 Steps to Grow Your Business” Yawn…

“7 Easy Steps to Increase Your Revenue” Better…

“7  Sexy Secrets to Create an Irresistible Brand to Explode Your Profits” Cha-Ching!

The last thing you want to do is bore your audience. There is already enough boredom in the world. Taxes and treadmills pop to mind. How long do you think your audience will stick around if you come across as an entrepreneurial Eor? You have to spice things up to keep the love alive. And not just in your sales titles, but in everything from how to package your services to how to write your newsletter.

You may think being creative is nice, but not really necessary to your success. You work hard, you’re smart, so what if you’re not the next Picasso or Steve Jobs? Wait a minute, that Steve Jobs guy did pretty well.

Being creative in your business gives you superior products and can enhance your productivity. It certainly makes things more fun and interesting for you. And most importantly it allows you to stand out in a crowded marketplace. When you are creative, you bring new ideas and greater value to your audience which sets your apart from the competition. Who needs creativity now? Starting to look more important, isn’t it?

You may already buy into the importance of being creative in your business, but sometimes for all of us the well runneth dry. It seems the harder we try to come up with new and better ideas, the further genius feels. There’s a reason for that:

A creative mind lives in the realm of play(TWEET THIS)

When you are in the trenches of running a business, having fun feels like a luxury. But the truth is, if you want a more luxurious life  and wildly profitable business, you are going to have to make friends with your inner puppy.

Want to know how to pump up the volume on creativity? Here are a few tips: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Client Attraction, Finding your flow, Success Strategies Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Who do you want to be when you grow up?

June 4, 2014 By Leave a Comment

What did you dream of becoming when you were little? I wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. Then I wanted to be a pastor’s wife, because my pastor’s wife was beautiful and an excellent musician. In high school, my dreamed changed to wanting to be on the Olympic volleyball team. At 5’7″ I don’t think there was much hope for winning gold on the balance beam…

How did your dreams change over time?

In college, I started as a double-major in music and poli-sci and was determined to be a politician. And then in grad school my attention focused on making it to the Metropolitan Opera. Did any of these dreams come true? Well, yes and no. Did I go on to be an Olympic athlete? No, but I did play competitive volleyball for many years and I have sung for thousands of people.

Our dreams and passions are indicators of what we want out of life. Depending on where we are in the moment, our brains come up with visions of how those urges might be fulfilled. For instance, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Success Strategies, Uncategorized

Your Brand is Calling… Are you listening?

May 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Now that summer is approaching (big yeah!!) it’s time for ice-cream season. Ok, in full honesty it’s always ice-cream season in my house. But nothing is as good as going to one of those awesome ice-cream shops with tubs of the colorful cold stuff. I love watching my kids press their noses against the glass trying to decide between Moose Tracks and rainbow sherbet. I usually go with some low-fat yogurt number and then watch pining away as the kids slurp up their creaming drippings.

Honestly, I don’t even know why I pick the yogurt. I don’t really like it that much. I end up consuming empty calories without the satisfying pleasure that should accompany indulging. It’s kind of a waste. For all the bother, I’d rather have an apple. But in the moment of choice, I focus on what I should be doing so I pick a treat that really isn’t much of a treat and I go away feeling kind of gypped.

What’s worse is the whole time I’m slugging through my yogurt, I have to watch everyone else enjoying their choices. Sometimes it’s hard for the kids too. They may like what they got, but then they look over at their sisters and feel jealous. What if hers is better? What if she made a better choice?

Why all the focus cups and cones? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding Tagged With: , , , ,

If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit Anymore

May 14, 2014 By 4 Comments

Did you ever get the feeling that something in your business doesn’t feel right? You start to get a little gnawing feeling you can’t identify. It’s not that things are dramatically wrong, but they aren’t exactly right either. Maybe you have some clients coming in, but the business still isn’t really taking off. Or you could even have a more steady stream of clients, but you just aren’t as excited to work with them as you used to be.

What’s going on?

You could be in the wrong shoes, brand shoes that is.

Remember when you were a kid. One day you’d be running around in your Hush Puppies and the next, your little piggies would be banging up against the edges. It can be like that with your brand too. You are plugging along in your business feeling like everything is fine until you realize everything is not fine. You may not be sure why, but you know you don’t feel good. Something is being pinched, and that thing is [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Brand Building, Brand Management Tagged With: , , , , ,

How To Be Number One!

May 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Everyone likes a winner. Have you ever noticed when a sports team wins a championship even people from other regions buy and wear the winning team’s paraphernalia? It’s as if by wearing the  team’s logo you yourself are elevated in status. (In all fairness, if you wear a Red Sox cap, you do go up a few notches.)

We like to be associated with success. When we watch the Olympics or American Idol, we route especially hard for the person who is from our city or state. They somehow represent us except…they don’t. We haven’t actually done anything, unless you count grabbing a bowl of Ben and Jerry’s and cheering from the couch.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great to cheer for your favorite sports team or support your local talent. What isn’t good is when we find our identification as a business person wrapped up in the reputation of our favorite guru du jour. We do a kind of weird reverse projection. Instead of projecting our baggage onto someone else, we suck their brand onto ourselves.

I do think it’s good to emulate success and I even think it’s useful to model yourself after people you admire. However, in order to be truly successful in your own right, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding Tagged With: , , , ,

Eenie, Meenie, Miney, BRAND

January 22, 2014 By 2 Comments

What would you say the number one difficulty most people have when trying to brand themselves or their businesses? Not a big enough marketing budget? Maybe struggling to find the right graphic designer? Or perhaps even finding the right niche? Nah…none of those are the biggest stumbling block getting in the way of most entrepreneurs trying to create successful brands. Want to know what is?…

LACK OF CLARITY.

As the saying goes, “When the path is clear, execution is successful.” So it goes to follow, when the path is not clear, there’s a whole lot ‘a shakin’ goin’ on, meaning the foundation is not stable. When your intention is not clear, your results fizzle. Clarity is the foundation to any strong brand. But what’s a girl to do if she’s not feeling clear?

YOU NEED TO [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Brand Building Tagged With: , , ,

How To Be A Brand Magnet

November 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

We all want people to like us. It’s human nature. In business, however, whether or not people like our brand can make or break us. In this video I give you two simple yet effective tips on how to add more magnetism to your brand. Enjoy!

P.S. Almost forgot, please give your comments in the box below. I love feedback!

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Brand Building Tagged With:

How Well Do You Know Your Ideal Clients?

October 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

We all want thriving businesses, and in order to do so, there is one main thing you need. Clients! However, you don’t want just any clients. You want those ideal, juicy clients. The ones with whom you feel energized every time you engage with them. The clients who love you and your services and are happy to pay your fees because they recognize the value you bring.

So who exactly is this ideal client? It’s YOU! More than likely you got into business because you felt a calling to either help people or create something that would meet a need or desire in the marketplace. And more than likely, you also chose your business based on a need or desire you have or had in the not too distant past.

Not always, but very often, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Connecting with your Audience Tagged With: , , ,

Why Can’t I Do This On My Own?

September 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Why is it so hard to brand yourself? Those of you who know me know my favorite phrase “Trying to brand yourself is like trying to cut your own hair.”@Heather Poduska (Tweet this) You can do it, but you probably won’t be satisfied with the results. Why is that? Why do we need someone else to help create a brand, and a personal brand at that!

Don’t we know ourselves best? Don’t we have a pretty good clue about what are strengths are and what makes us special? Well, if you are off and running and have all the clients you want, have a crystal clear platform, know exactly how to articulate your value and have an image that authentically reflects the vibe of your business, then the answer is YES! Woohoo, my hats off to you. You did it, you’re a genius.

For most of us though, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building Tagged With: , , ,

Is Your Brand a Firecracker or a Dud?

July 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Happy 4th of July! I’m sure many of you are heading off tonight to watch a fireworks display. I love fireworks. It always reminds me of being home in Wisconsin with my family. We would watch from the roof of our car and try to guess what would come next, a giant plume or a quirky swirl.  We were always delighted and amazed, unless of course, it was a dud.

The dreaded dud was a huge let down. You would watch the sky waiting for the next big thrill, only to be accosted by a deafening boom. Not only was it disappointing, it also scared the bejeebees out of me as a kid. It took a while before I could watch the rest of the show because I was worried the same thing would happen again. My fireworks trust was eroded.

Not a huge deal on the 4th of July, in fact, it’s bound to happen at some point. However, being a dud with your brand is a big deal. The last thing you want to do is disappoint your audience! And you certainly don’t want to do anything to cause them to lose trust in you. Of course, no one is perfect and mistakes are a natural part of any endeavor, but your brand show better have more thrills than spills if you want to be successful.

Here are a few tips to light up the sky with your brand: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building, Image Management, Uncategorized

The Value of Backroad Branding

June 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Summer is finally here, yeah!! Time for back yard barbecues, dips in the pool and road trips. I LOVE road trips. I love the adventure of jumping in the car to go off exploring.  Actually, one of my favorite things to do is to surprise my kids with mystery destinations. I try to take them to unique places we wouldn’t normally go to.

Our mystery trips don’t necessarily take us to famous locations. More often than not we end up exploring not too far off nooks and crannies of  our region. When you are busy living your life you don’t always have time to get to know the little gems right in your own back yard. Last year, we found a specialty German bakery, yum. (I find the mystery tours go over better if good food is involved.)

When we think about traveling, we usually imagine heading to far-off, exotic locales. Surely, there is better than here. However, I have found here has a lot to offer. You just have to look around and take the time to explore the landscape. Ironically, the same is true for our brands.

We are always looking, looking, looking for [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding Tagged With: , , ,

Do Your Shoes Fit Properly?

May 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Those size 8 sparkly, strappy sandals were really beautiful. The only problem was I am an 8 1/2. However, I truly could not resist. I had to have them. I brought them home, took them out of the box, put them on my shelf and stared dreamily at them. I fantasized about the night I would wear them. I had a big performance at the Wang Center coming up and I wanted to look spectacular from head to toe.

Fast forward to the event. Gown in place, voice warmed up, sexy sandals on. I was feeling hot to trot. Except about 1/2 hour into the event my feet started to hurt. Those thin little straps were digging into my flesh. By the time it was my turn to sing, I had to stop myself from wincing as I walked onto the stage. So much for the perfect scenario. Instead of feeling like a princess, I felt like a giant trying to walk on toothpicks!

I was paying the price for a mistake many of us make, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Business Building Strategies, Winning mindsets, Winning Strategies Tagged With: , ,

Your Life is Calling, Are You Answering?

March 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever had one of the moments where you think “What the heck am I doing here?” I mean really, in the big picture, in that existential kind of way. I certainly have. In fact, I have spent a good chunk of my adult life exploring the answer to that very question. I was surprised recently, however, to realize not everyone spends a lot of time contemplating the purpose of their existence.

Ok, sure, I know most people wonder about the mysteries of the universe to some degree, but there is only so much time in a day to be reflective, right? There are bills to be paid, houses to be cleaned and businesses to run. Why should we while away our lives in pursuit of the unanswerable? Here’s the thing, I think we actually can find and know the answer to “Why am I here?” In fact, [Read more…]

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Is Your Brand Green?

March 15, 2013 By 2 Comments

iStock_000006139774XSmallEvery brand has a unique personality and one of the best ways to express that personality is through the use of color. Every color also has its own personality. Have you ever noticed how differently you feel when looking at various colors? Dark colors can sometimes bring us down just as vibrant colors can infuse us with energy.

There has been a lot of research into the psychology of color and how it impacts human beings. Understanding how you want your brand to impact your audience is essential to choosing the right colors for your business and marketing materials.  In honor of St. Paddy’s Day, here are the common psychological associations with the color green. [Read more…]

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Why Your Brand Should Ditch The Rules

February 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Beautiful geisha girl, Japan --- Kyoto, Japan, April 10, 2009: A real geisha girl of Kyoto, Japan. --- A geisha girl on a street in Kyoto, Japan, pausing to be admired.I love opera music. Actually, what I really love is singing it. I feel so lucky because when ever I want, I can pull out music from any composer that strikes my fancy and sing til my heart’s content be it Mozart or Verdi.  It’s one of the perks of performing in my living room. Aside from the sheer pleasure of singing the most beautiful music ever written in the whole wide world spanning all of history (no bias here), the other reason I love yodeling a casa  is there is no one telling me what I can and cannot sing. You see in opera, there are a lot of  RULES.

Some of these rules make sense and are actually  in the best interest of the singer. For example, if a score is written for a very large orchestra, the singer must have a very big voice to carry over the instrumentation otherwise they risk shredding their vocal chords in an effort to be heard. However, a lot of the rules seem to be somewhat arbitrary and very restrictive. Certain voice types simply “should not” sing certain roles. If you are too tall, you will probably never be cast as the ingenue. In an audition, you should not wear anything too sexy, wait, no it’s that you should not be too conservative. Hmmm, no I think it is that you should never wear a turtle neck… [Read more…]

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Is Criticism Damaging Your Brand?

January 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

“No one ever erected a statue in honor of a critic.”-Jean Sibelius, composer

Let’s get one thing straight right here, right now. There is almost no way to create a strong, successful brand without getting criticized. As difficult as it is to be at the receiving end of negative feedback, you do yourself and your brand a huge disfavor by going out of your way to avoid it. No one likes getting lambasted for sticking their neck out, however, charting your course by trying not to offend others is a sure-fire way to weaken the impact and power of your brand.

I am not suggesting you go out of your way to be sensational either. Trying to get attention for attention’s sake does your brand no favors either. We all know people and companies who will say or do anything to keep their names front and center. Such antics only cheapen your brand. Thankfully, there is a better path. When you stand in your own truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be at times, you always come out the other side with personal and authentic success.

Tolerating criticism can be highly unpleasant and difficult to withstand even when you are secure in the value of your brand message.

Here are a few tips to keep you strong in the face of adversity: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Overcoming challenges Tagged With: , , ,

Why Am I So Sad?

January 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

If you are someone who lives for Fridays, you are probably in the wrong job. Of course, we all have work weeks that are more challenging than others, but believe it or not, there are people who get just a little sad when the week is over. Who are these crazy whack jobs?? They are people who are keenly aware of their personal brands.

These people live and work in a way that allows them to optimize their strengths and get compensated for doing what they love. I know it’s true, because I’ve seen it many times with own clients. These people love what they do and feel blessed to be able to spend their time being engaged in activities at which they excel.

People who understand their personal brands enjoy one of life’s greatest pleasures, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Finding Your Purpose, Personal Branding Tagged With: , , , ,

5 Tips for Stripping for Success.

December 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This is the time of year when everyone looks back on the good, the bad and the ugly of the past year. We review the top 10 news events, sports events, movies and songs. Some things thrilled us and some things floored us. It can be fun to reminisce, and it also a gives us an opportunity to understand what is working and what isn’t in our lives and businesses.

The past gives us the clues we need to make better decisions moving forward. The problem for most of us though, is we tend not to change our behavior or change it enough to elicit a different outcome. In order to get real traction, we need to be willing to let go of things, but this can be difficult and scary.

All too often, we look at a situation we know isn’t perfect, perhaps we have a difficult client or vendor, but instead of addressing what needs to be changed, we trudge along in the same manner and tolerate the results. Next year at this time we will be thinking the exact same thing, “I really should do something about this situation.”

When you carry forward those things which aren’t working, you lose time, money and FUN! You may not even realize how much these irritants are weighing you down until you get rid of them.  When you do strip away what’s not optimal, you create a more streamlined, on-brand and enjoyable business.

 To help you lose your inhibitions about stripping down, here are a few tips: [Read more…]

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10 Branding Tips from Santa.

December 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you’ve got to admit Santa Claus is an excellent marketer. His brand recognition makes Oprah Winfrey look like a b-lister and his coffers are so full he makes Bill Gates look like a pauper. Santa generated over $400 BILLION in sales last year alone! How does the Big Man do it?

Santa may be magical, but his success is actually the result following these good branding rules… [Read more…]

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Does Your Brand Deliver Happiness?

November 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Want to know how to make a $1,000,000,000? Try being a little weird.

This month’s book recommendation is Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos. For those who may be unfamiliar with Zappos, it is the most successful online shoe store ever which sold to Amazon for $1.2 billion in 2009. How did Zappos achieve such amazing success? After all, not every online retail venture ends in a 9 zero deal.

Of course, much of Zappo’s success must be attributed to the intelligence and business savvy of Tony Hsieh and his brilliant team. However, Hsieh himself has said the meteoric rise of Zappos is largely due to [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Leadership, Taking a stand, Winning Strategies Tagged With: , , , ,

Are You Leaning into your Brand?

November 16, 2012 By 2 Comments

When things in your business hit a wall, do you find another wall to push or do you lean into the one in front of you?

When we start a new business, we usually have the excitement of a kid on the last day of school. We’re itching for the bell to ring so we can get going. We rush out into the marketplace, start looking for clients and think of all kinds of ideas and products for our new venture. However, somewhere along the way our enthusiasm runs low.

Maybe clients aren’t flowing in as quickly and regularly as we thought they would. Or we experience a slump in our creativity. This is when the doubt monster creeps in and wreaks havoc on our confidence. When we start to feel insecure, one of the first things we do is look at what we can change.

Sometimes change is a great way to breathe new life into a business and sometimes change is just a knee-jerk reaction that results in a jumbled mess. We get frustrated so we start looking around at what everyone else is doing. We think if this big guru is doing things a certain way, that must be the right way for us. We borrow a little here and a little there and morph our business so much that it no longer looks like our business. It just looks like a watered-down amalgamation of someone else’s vision.

So what’s a girl to do? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Winning mindsets

Does this Brand Make Me Look Fat?

October 17, 2012 By 2 Comments

Come on, admit it. We’ve all tried something on that hasn’t felt exactly right and then surveyed our husband or best girl friend for an answer we’d like to hear. We say “Does this make me look fat?” Of course, we want them to say “No, honey, you look beautiful.” But honestly, if you felt beautiful in the first place, you probably wouldn’t have asked the question.

I have found recently many people do the equivalent with their brands. They try things on for size, it might be a new service or a new tagline, and then they survey the heck out of anyone who will listen. “What do you think of my new_____?”

Don’t get me wrong, surveys are wonderful and necessary tools to get clear on how best to promote your brand and serve your audience. The problem comes when [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building, Brand Management, Personal Branding Tagged With: , , ,

When Being in the Red Isn’t Bad for Business.

October 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

“I’m so mad, I’m seeing red.” “He’ll never make the leap, he’s totally yellow.” “I wish the sun would come out, I’m feeling blue.” Our brains are programmed to make many specific associations to color, so much so, we have woven those associations into our everyday language.

Because of the powerful effect color has on our psyches, it is one of the best tools we have to strengthen our brand impact. You can use those innate associations to your advantage, but first you must be clear about what kind of associations you want your audience to make with you and your business. Once you are clear about your desired impact,  you can choose colors that  resonate with the core message of your brand to engage your ideal clients. Pretty cool!

The spectrum of possibilities is endless, so how are you going to choose the palette that’s just right for your brand?

Here are a few tips… [Read more…]

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Why Do I Need to Think about Branding Anyway?

October 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever wondered what the big deal is about branding? Everyone seems to be talking about it. But really, why do I need it?

Is branding really that important and what can it do for me or my business? [Read more…]

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Does Your Brand Look Good Naked?

August 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever found yourself paging through one of those celebrity fashion magazines feeling a little cynical? That little green monster creeps in as you compare yourself to all those gorgeous ingenues. You comfort yourself by making excuses as to why they are there looking so beautiful and you are still living the life of a mere mortal woman. How hard is it to look beautiful when you’re wearing a glitzy dress or ball gown? After all, it’s one of the most flattering things a woman can wear. It’s all smoke and mirrors you think. Peel away the glitz and glamour and underneath it all they are probably not that special. Or at least you hope. [Read more…]

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Let’s All Get Tanked!

August 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Many of you may already be familiar with the tv program called “Tanked,” but my first exposure to the show was on vacation this summer. Obviously, the kids had control of the remote in the hotel room! At first, I thought it was just another inane reality show, but as I watched I came to realize this was a great study of effective branding! The show is about two guys who build custom-made fish tanks. Yes, that’s it. Stay with me now. I’m sure you think this is a little fishy, but there is a lot to learn here.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building, Finding your Niche Tagged With: , , , ,

Guilt by Association

July 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Whether we like it or not, we are judged by the associations we keep. At first blush this doesn’t seem fair. However, if you think about it for more than a second or two, you can see the logic behind it. For the most part, we choose our associations with the exception of our families. Therefore, your associations are a reflection of YOUR JUDGEMENT and YOUR BRAND. If you are associated with someone who is unethical, you are broadcasting to the world that you have some tolerance for lack of integrity. On the other hand, if you surround yourself with people who are kind, thoughtful and smart, this also reflects on your judgement, in a positive way.

Because your associations so strongly effect your reputation it is critical to choose wisely. Here are a few questions to help you evaluate your current associations and how to better choose future ones.

1. Does this person/business uphold the values I want to nurture?

2. Does this person have a positive attitude?

3. Does this person make me feel inspired to grow?

4. Do I feel good about myself when I spend time with this person/business?

5. Am I proud to say this person is a friend, colleague or business associate?

If you cannot answer yes to most, if not all, of these questions, it may be time to re-evaluate your associations. You are not looking for all of your friends and colleagues to be like Mother Teresa, but you are looking for them to enhance, inspire and reflect your personal brand standards. In turn, be sure YOU are exuding the qualities which would make others feel proud to associate with you.

We all struggle sometimes to know when to forge strong connections with others. If you have any thoughts or experiences you’d like to share that have helped you, I’d love to hear from you. Just make a comment below. Or post it on Facebook.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Brand Building, Decision making, Importance of Image Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Are You Optimizing Your Brand Resonators?

July 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In classical singing we often talk about creating resonance. Resonance is what makes a voice carry. Leveraging vocal resonators is what enables classical singers to project their voices over the orchestra without the aid of a microphone. Leveraging personal brand resonators buoys your business to rise over the noise of the marketplace.

In singing, optimizing resonance is done by creating sympathetic vibrations in different parts of the body to enhance the sound coming from the tiny vocal folds in the throat. Because each person has unique physiology, these resonators also play a significant role in the distinct quality of sound each singer is able to make. It is part of the vocal finger print. If you have a broad face and a big nose, your sound will be different than if you had a thin face with fine features. However, in order to create this synthesized and original sound, you have to keep the system open and allow the vibrations to travel freely throughout the body. If the system is not open and supported, the singer cannot take advantage of all the resonators and the result is a compromised tone.

In personal branding, each of us has a unique voice as well. Our brand voice is [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building, Finding Your Voice, Projecting your Voice Tagged With: , , , ,

Is Fear Killing your Brand?

June 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If I could wave a magic wand and get rid of one thing that plagues most human beings, it would be worry. I hate worry, HATE IT!  It is an evil that must be challenged at every turn. Worry stops dreams before they start. Worry poisons passion. And worry is one of the leading causes of a malady that strikes down many otherwise healthy business owners. It’s called weakbranditis. Weakbranditis is a condition that occurs when people worry too much about what other people think. They worry whether or not people will like them. They worry they will come across too strongly, too girly, too anything and everything. In an effort to avoid the discomfort of possible rejection, they pull back, tone down or dilute the very things that would make their brands special and memorable. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building, Business Building Strategies, Personal Branding, Success Strategies

Go Ahead and Cheat

June 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Don’t you wish you could dig into a hot-fudge sundae and there would be no repercussions. You’d gain no weight, your blood sugar wouldn’t spike, your cholesterol would not be effected. It would be a world where cheating was not cheating. Wouldn’t that be nice? You could simply indulge and enjoy the warm fudgy goodness. It may not ever be the case that indulging your sweet tooth won’t negatively impact your health, however, there are times when cheating is not only ok, it’s highly encouraged. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Finding your flow, Finding Your Voice, Personal Branding Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Eat only what’s delicious.

March 5, 2012 By 10 Comments

I recently read an article about something called the “Snob Diet.” The idea is to be discriminating about what you eat. Instead of eating low-fat, processed “diet” food, you actually eat real, full-fat, scrumptious food. When you eat the real thing, the idea is, you are more satisfied so you actually eat less and lose weight. If you are like 99% of most of us, you are probably watching what you eat on a daily basis in an effort to stay as trim and healthy as possible, so the idea of indulging with Häagen Dazs may seem like diet suicide. But before you throw out the brie with the bath water, take a second look at the Snob Diet. It’s not about stuffing your face in a trans-fat frenzy, it’s about the experience of deeply enjoying the process of eating.

As business owners we would do well to pay attention to the Snob Diet. Whether we are talking about eating or the process of shopping, most people have a strong desire to have quality experiences. As consumers we are bombarded with garbage, with a lot of loud junk. We long for the experience that will transcend the noise and fill us with meaningful nourishment. As business owners we need to ask ourselves not only what is the best product we can provide, but also what is the best EXPERIENCE we can give our customers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Bold Branding, Brand Building, Business Building Strategies, Connecting with your Audience, Finding your Niche Tagged With: , ,

Fail to Impress

February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

One of our most important jobs as entrepreneurs is attracting clients. As a result we do all kinds of things to capture the attention of our audience. We want to make a big impression so we will be remembered and, hopefully, even referred.  However, while it’s good to make a positive impression, being impressive should not be the ultimate goal when it comes attracting your ideal clients. A far better and much more effective approach is to create an authentic brand that speaks to the hearts of your audience.

Remember the old story of the wind and the sun competing to see who can get a man to take off his jacket first? The wind howls and tries to blow the man’s jacket off, but the harder the wind blows the tighter the man clings to his jacket. The sun, on the other hand, beams its rays of light and warmth on the man. He gets so toasty he takes his jacket right off. I suspect he even enjoys the warmth and the glow of the sun.

It’s like that with branding as well. If you are merely impressive, you are like the wind. You may blow long and hard, but you are not getting your clients to open up to all the wonderful things you have to offer. In order for you to get your audience to open up to you and your services, you must warm them up and connect with them on an emotional level. The best way to do this is [Read more…]

Filed Under: Authentic Branding, Connecting with your Audience, Personal Branding, Risk Taking, Uncategorized

Feel Good Branding

September 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Feel Good BrandingIf you've been reading this blog, then you are probably somewhat familiar with branding and some of its benefits. Good branding can create a loyal, excited following. It can increase your sales. It can differentiate you from your competition and establish you as an expert in your field. Wow, those are all fantastic benefits of branding!  However, I think the very best benefit of personal branding is not often talked about. It is the FEELING YOU GET from living and working from and with those parts of you which feel most authentic and exciting TO YOU.

If you are in business, you are in business to make money. If you were not doing business to make money, you would be dabbling in a hobby. So of course, when you think about branding you will focus on the financial benefits. You are not going to waste your time and marketing dollars on frivolous, touchy-feel-good gimmicks. However, what could be more valuable than your own happiness. I know it sounds pretty grandiose to talk about personal branding that way, but that's the way it is. When you are really in touch with what makes you tick, what you are good at, how you best express yourself in the world and when you can move through your life freely and enthusiastically working from those premises, you feel a deep satisfaction and joy. The kicker is feeling good and excited about how you work and express yourself can also be financially rewarding.  It's a win-win situation.

When you are joyful in your work other people respond to that energy. Have you ever met someone who seems to radiate good vibes? How does it make you feel to be around that person or interact with them? Great, right? There is a gas station near my gym that I love going to. The attendant there has such great energy. Rain, snow or shine he has a smile on his face, asks how I'm doing and gives great service. Do you think I drive out of my way to get my gas there?  You bet I do. It makes me FEEL good to buy my gas there. His energy is infectious.

When are clear about your personal brand and become comfortable projecting that brand into the marketplace, YOU become that infectious person others are drawn to.  However, the greatest gift is the way you feel about yourself and that, my friends, is priceless.

Filed Under: Authentic Branding Tagged With: , , , ,

Brand Your Edge

August 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Brand Your EdgeFor the past several months I have noticed that I have been feeling a little bit blue. I wasn't sure why I was feeling this way. My family is great, I feel healthy, I love my work. So what was the problem?  I realized that I was feeling down because I was feeling frumpy. 

I don't think most people who know me would consider me frumpy, however, what I was seeing in the mirror did not excite me. I bought these clothes, I even liked these clothes. So what the heck was happening?  What I finally realized was I had lost my edginess which is a really big part of who I am. It's the part of me that gives me zing and energy. It makes me feel alive and slightly dangerous.  So why on earth would I give that up? 

It wasn't intentional, it was more by default. In an attempt to appear polished and pulled-together, I had checked my edginess at the door. I was guilty of a big sin which was giving in to a "should" way of thinking. I had an idea of how a professional person should dress and act. The only problem, which it turned out was a big one, was I ended up feeling only partly present dressing and acting this way. An important part of me and my brand was missing.  And it made me cranky!

Of course, I still believe in being professional, but that doesn't mean being stiff and uninteresting. The more you can infuse your personal brand into your professional life, the more appealing you will become and the happier you will be.  If you leave out a piece of your brand because you think you "should," you will be left with a vanilla version of yourself and your brand will suffer. On the other hand, if you can embrace those parts of yourself that feel most exciting, your brand will be truly unique, even if it feels a bit scary at first. Now if you will excuse me, I need to slip into something black and slightly dangerous.

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