Let's Connect with Tara LaFon Gooch...

Welcome to my humans of LinkedIn project. I am a writer and I love people and connecting, so I have created The LinkedIn Connection.?

Every Friday, I highlight another up-and-coming professional that I have connected with. You get an in-depth look at their life, lessons they have learned, and what they are doing here on LinkedIn.?

I am having a blast meeting these talented people. I hope you do too!?

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Wow! That was my first thought when I started talking to Tara LaFon Gooch, MBA, CVP ?? .

Talk about a force of nature.

This is a women who has done incredible things, and is continuing to do even more!

I’m so honored she took the time to let me feature her.?

Get comfortable and prepare to be blown away by Tara!

Tell me a bit about yourself

Who are you? I am the CEO of Best Branding Solutions, a wife, and mother to one amazing daughter. I enjoy spending time with my family traveling, trying new food and being outdoors. I also enjoy fitness, gardening and cooking on my spare time.?

?I believe as a leader you need to have a lot of energy and fitness certainly helps achieve that. I have an Undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology, a certificate from Notre Dame in Management, a certificate from Cornell University in Financial Management and an MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics.?

Until March of 2022 I worked at a corporate job as a Sales Director. I got burnt out from a toxic work environment/management and decided to try full-time entrepreneurship.?

Best Branding Solutions started during COVID, in June of 2020 but at the time it was more of a side business. When we originally started our business we focused on building company brands. Over time as we worked with executives, entrepreneurs and business owners of various companies and industries I began to realize a correlation between companies that were doing well financially and those that struggled. We still work with companies on their branding needs but now we also focus on helping them holistically with their entire brand development which includes their social media presence as well as their leadership team.?

In addition to this, I also speak at corporate events and train companies how-to techniques to sell effectively on social media as well as how to navigate LinkedIn effectively. I am available for in person or virtual conferences or meetings.

Top 3 accomplishments??

• On 11/22/22 I spoke at the NASDAQ Entrepreneural Center, the topic was How To Grow Your Business on LinkedIn.
• In January, 2023 I delivered my first keynote speech in Washington, DC and received a standing ovation at the end.
• To date, our company has helped over 100 businesses in 30+ industries establish their brand, hundreds of individuals find their life’s purpose, explore their passions and become more successful.

What services do you offer??

I teach personal branding and Linkedin strategies that drive organizational growth and increase sales effectiveness. I am a brand strategist, social media marketer, social media sales trainer, and LinkedIn subject matter expert.

If I was chatting with a friend and they said….I would know to refer them to you?

I am different, I actually want to help people succeed and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I was put on this earth to help people realize their life’s purpose and my mission is to help purpose-driven people become more confident and more successful. If you look at the recommendations I have on LinkedIn you will see that as a theme and pattern.

Favorite quote??

“An ounce of doing is worth a pound of theorizing.” -The Science of Getting Rich

My thoughts on this quote: You can sit and think about something all day, it does nothing without action. Luck favors the ones who have a vision, are aligned with their purpose, who put in daily action, who have faith and self-belief and who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it. Analysis paralysis will get you no where, you have to put in the work.

Most transformational book??

• The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles, Published in 1910: I have read it 75 times and learn something new each time!!!

Advice you would give someone starting out on LinkedIn or in networking??

-It’s not about YOU, it’s about THEM. Don’t go into a conversation or start a relationship without adding value FIRST. There are too many people out there who are in it for themselves and forget that there is another person at the end. Be good, do good, add value and you will never have a shortage of satisfied customers.

-Don’t collect connections, build relationships and form communities.

-Vanity metrics do not equal income or monetization. However, COMMUNITY does!

-Seek to make an impact, do not seek perfection.

3 ways we can help support you on LinkedIn??

• My LinkedIn personal branding program is available and I encourage anyone to sign up and join. The program includes 40+ videos, worksheets, 1X weekly group training sessions, 60- minute 1:1 meeting with me when you sign up as well as continued support. I teach you everything you need to know to succeed on LinkedIn and I will not let anyone fail.
• Please ring my bell for my latest content, I post daily and seek to add value to everyone. I don’t post fluff, I post real thought-leading material that genuinely helps you succeed and improve your life or your business.?
• Be apart of my community by subscribing to my newsletter “Brand Your Way To Success” (7K+ subscribers).

Anything else you want to say??

I go deep, I get to know my clients on a soul level, I don’t scratch the surface- I seek to change lives. I do what I say I will do and I mean what I say. I am different and I am proud of it.

My goal is not greed, I am here on this earth to make impact and when I leave this earth I want to be remembered for that as a part of my legacy. I am not your average CEO, I care and I am purpose-driven. I stand by my core values and I wear my heart on my sleeve.?