Why Style Your Brand?

What story are you telling the world with your wardrobe?

And what message does that wardrobe give your potential clients?

If you run a business, whether it’s solo, small, or large you likely know that branding is so much more than a logo and a few brand colors. A good personal brand has clarity, authenticity, and good positioning… positioning your brand into the mind of the potential customer.

Well how about your style? What does your wardrobe say about you? Is your style congruent with your brand message?

I remember when I had my Etsy shop and I mostly worked from home. I handcrafted clutch purses for brides and their bridesmaids. Not only did I make these clutches in my home, my kids were little at the time so MOST days I simply dressed in comfortable tees and sweats.

Not the cute Insta-worthy image of sweats you see from influencers today…. my style was baggy, mismatched, unflattering sweats.

My shop was so busy that I was running out to the post office at least 4 days a week. Eventually, I started seeing regulars at the post office and I would get into conversations (hello long lines) about what was in all those boxes. I thought to myself, Jaime these people are possible referrals, potential customers. Picture me all frantic, messy hair, and bad sweats… what kind of message was that sending to the people I met?

Now, not every person I encountered throughout the day was going to be my customer but I still handed out my business card a lot. They were frequently asking me about my purses. What message could I possibly be sending them about my clutch business if I was looking like a ridiculous mess every day?

The message must’ve been something like “disheveled, overwhelmed, etc.”

What story are you telling the people you meet? Hot mess express? I hope not.

How about confident, relevant, and authentic. Wouldn’t that be better?

Style plays a role in your brand positioning. Even if you don’t currently consider yourself as “having a brand” good style helps you show up in confidence for the things that matter to you.

Personal style gives you an opportunity to be present for your business or your next move. What message does your style tell the world and how can we make that story compelling?

I asked a few branding experts and they all agree that personal branding is about authenticity and connection…

It’s the connection and alignment between you, your ideal clients, the visuals, your message…all of it.

Know your value, then package it properly!

Reaching For The C Suite? Don't Forget This Tool.

“Dress for the job you want.”

Are you using personal style to your advantage? Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

It’s an age-old sentiment but it rings true today more than ever. How you dress (your personal style) still matters in most professional work environments. Yes, I’ve seen how it’s acceptable to wear a hoodie to some offices and we all know the Mark Zuckerberg “uniform” by now (grey t-shirt, jeans, and Nikes on repeat). Therefore, it’s easy to forget that your image makes an impact but it does… in two key ways:

“First, your personal style influences the way you are perceived and second,
it influences the way you perform.”

Clothing influences perception, your own perception of your ability to perform (dressing to feel confident, dressing to boost your mood). And it influences the perception others will have of you as well (the impression they get through your style). This is the reason we choose a suit for a job interview over a pair of comfy sweats. This is why you’d feel better if your doctor is in a lab coat or professional attire rather than a hoodie.

Yes, research shows that the clothes you wear actually change the way you perform!

Dressing well doesn’t have to mean being fake or wearing things that make you uncomfortable, just be thoughtful in planning your style, be strategic in crafting a signature style.

YOU HAVE A VISUAL BRAND whether you know it or not. Your clothing sends a message about you, don’t you want to control that message? It’s time to end the cycle of a closet full of nothing to wear.

Need a style rescue asap?

Power In Personal Style

Who we are as human beings is more important than what we are wearing.  I don’t know anyone who would argue that.  

However, I wouldn’t call it superficial to put serious thought into your personal style, your image.  There is power in a signature style… one that matches who you are on the inside and propels you to where you want to go next.  We all know…

when you look good, you feel good.

Maybe, similar to me, you have a second career, maybe you’ve set goals for a promotion, you’re working on your personal brand, or perhaps you simply use style to elevate your mood. 

Whatever the reason, personal style starts on the inside; in your soul and your mind. 

The clothing is secondary.

I’ve talked to so many women about the “inside stuff” and I promise you…  there’s magic in the alignment of your internal self to the clothing that sits on the outside.  Stop the madness! End the cycle of a closet full of nothing to wear!

This is how I define personal style. Xo, JD

“Personal style starts on the inside; in your soul and your mind. 

The clothing is secondary.”

— Jaime Diehl, Personal Stylist