PUSH IT REAL GOOD: An elevated view on personal branding

Bonus points if you rapped the headline "Salt-n-Pepa" style when you read it.

A couple of months ago, I was invited to speak to a group of female real estate agents. I asked the Managing Director what she wanted me to talk about, and she said, "something on personal branding since that's what everyone's talking about these days."

Something on Personal Branding.

Such a vague, anxiety-producing request for me, as there's just so much to talk about! The actual science behind personal branding is rather complex and composed of many layers. It's not just about marketing, selling, or building followers. From my experiences, it's about establishing value with people—and people are complex AF.

Branding, whether it be for a company or a person, delves beneath the surface to all the intricacies of personality - the things that make us who we are, which is not always the perfection we (and many corporations) display on social media. Here's a great, quick read if you'd like to learn more about it.

I racked my brain about what I could talk about that would have meaning and provide insights to make my time with these badass ladies valuable. I try hard not to over-prepare my presentations or talks so that they don't feel plastic or like a canned speech. I brainstorm a few ideas to formulate a central thesis and then reflect on my experiences to help solidify the main point of it all.

I decided that I didn't want to give a standard "Personal Branding 101" seminar as that's been overdone. Quite frankly, anyone can google and find out pretty much everything they need to know about the basics of building a personal brand.

So, I decided to discuss a really important element of personal branding that often gets overlooked:

The importance of pushing yourself and expanding your expectations to the limit.

Last month, I kicked off a brand-new weekly blog series created for everyone, but especially for businesswomen and female founders who are in transition or trying to navigate their careers, businesses, and the concept of "having it all." You can check out the blog here .

My thoughts and perspectives are deeply influenced by my experiences as a Black female entrepreneur, community leader, and business professional for the last 20 years (which is insane to write, lol).

This week's moment of clarity:

All good changes begin with my ability to get uncomfortable.

Chase goals, not likes.

Progress, not perfection.

It's really easy to fall into a rut. Why? Because ruts are comfortable. And comfortable is easy, predictable, familiar...safe.

And there is nothing wrong with being safe and comfy—except when it comes to wanting to make something happen professionally. Playing it safe has never led to innovation, and innovation establishes the path needed to achieve game-changing, next-level success, no matter what level your career is in right now.

This week, I'm reminded especially about how short life is. This isn't a dress rehearsal. This time right now is all we got y'all.

So we owe it to ourselves to be ok with being uncomfortable sometimes if it's going to lead to positive growth.

Perfection can be a prison. It keeps our potential stagnant. And, competitively speaking, it's easy to get passed by when perfection, rather than growth and elevation, is your primary objective.

I'd invite you this week to think about what your personal branding efforts have been this year and explore how you can take things up a notch in these remaining months.

Here are four ideas to help you marinate AND elevate:

Find comfort in other things besides people's opinions

We often play it safe and get into a professional funk because we're afraid—afraid of making mistakes, afraid of failing, and afraid of what other people might think about us when we screw up. Sure, it's important to keep tabs on your reputation and how you are perceived. As you build your career or brand, that stuff matters.

But there is a difference between reputation management and letting opinions influence your goals.

When it comes to people's opinions, they won't ever pay your bills, and more importantly, they aren't what's going to move anything of real value forward. We can't grow without trying new things and this means we're going to fail. It's ok. Take a chance. For yourself, not them.

Push it.

While it's natural to seek validation, relying on social media likes can lead to a cycle of chasing approval rather than focusing on meaningful, long-term goals.

Likes don't reflect the true value of your work, the depth of your character, or the impact you're making in your field. They are often based on algorithms and trends, which can fluctuate without any real connection to your worth or achievements.

Instead, finding reassurance in something more substantial—like your personal growth, the quality of your work, the relationships you build, or the positive impact you have on others—grounds you in purpose.

Push it.

Surround yourself with people who challenge the hell out of you

To push beyond the limits you've unconsciously set for yourself, it's essential to be surrounded by people who challenge you to think bigger, act bolder, and reach higher. Growth doesn't happen in a comfort zone; it happens when you're pushed to confront your assumptions and exceed your own expectations.

I only have one goal to achieve with every project or event I'm ever involved with: make everyone involved successful.

When I'm asked to come in to speak to an organization or provide growth strategies to a founder, I'm not being consulted to provide comfort. My role isn't to validate the status quo but to disrupt it—because true progress requires disruption and I sincerely want us to win!

I believe my purpose (and what I'm really good at lol) is to challenge, poke, and question everything that will lead my team, clients, partners (and even Her Texas members) toward their desired outcomes. I don't have a problem being that annoying voice in your head if it means we're winning together.

I think this applies beyond the workplace.

Surround yourself with people who demand more from you. It's really easy to have "yes" people tell you what you want to hear, but that's not going to move the needle. Real growth comes from being uncomfortable, from having your ideas tested, and from pushing past the easy, predictable path.

Being liked or popular does not necessarily translate to progress. It doesn’t always mean your personal brand is on track. This is why you need people who will keep it real with you and challenge you daily.

Push it.

Expect more

You’ve got to want more to get more. Success isn’t a static destination; it’s a constantly evolving journey. What success looks and feels like changes daily and there are levels to this. You aren't there yet...

Push it.

Diversify your perspective

"Diversity is the art of thinking independently together." —Malcolm Forbes

Love this quote because it aligns perfectly with the idea of pushing beyond our comfort zones to achieve real growth. It’s easy to get stuck in familiar patterns of thinking, but true progress comes from embracing diversity—not just in backgrounds, but in thought.

When you surround yourself with people who challenge you, you’re not just inviting different perspectives; you’re expanding your capacity to think creatively and innovate. This is where the good stuff begins.

At the end of the day, we’re all striving to reach new heights, but the most impactful growth happens when we learn from one another. Regardless of our industry or level of experience, there’s always something new to gain by exposing ourselves to different viewpoints. As you work on pushing your own limits, seek out those who think differently from you.

Personal branding isn’t just about staying within the lines; it’s about expanding them. By embracing diverse perspectives, you not only push yourself but also set the stage for real, transformative progress.

Push it. Because no one else is going to do it for you.

Building an elevated personal brand isn’t just about visibility; it’s about pushing yourself to grow, embracing challenges, and surrounding yourself with the people and perspectives that propel you forward.

A great read on this topic - On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception by Aliza Licht.

Thank you for reading and your support. It means a ton.

See you next week,

Jasmin