Branding is an overused word. How do you create the perfect brand – in life and in business? By being a bold dreamer?
Branding is simply a consistent feeling, image, and experience desired from a product conveyed to the general public. Basically, you – the entrepreneur – are the brand. The minute someone interfaces with you, they are deciding if they should do business with your brand based on their perception of you. Is your message big, bold, and beautiful? It may be trite but it is very true: First impressions are everything.
Over time, we all go through brand re-invention (strategizing, tweaking, and shedding), hopefully becoming mo’ better. While watching the Golden Globe Awards in January and seeing the re-invention of Brand Mo’Nique, I was truly inspired by her authenticity.
She has shown her versatility since the beginning of her career. From stand-up comedian, to wise-cracking actress, author, producer, late-night host, and now Oscar-nominated actress. Her passion has remained steady and consistent with her best-selling book, Skinny Women Are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World, even as she (now) approaches a more svelte model of herself. Brand Mo’Nique has never wavered on authenticity, she simply made adjustments along the way – while playing by her rules.
Monique is a great symbol of what it means to be a dreamer. Dreams should be big, bold, and beautiful. In a recent acceptance speech, Mo’Nique talked about being 14 years old and dreaming of becoming a star. Her speech underscores what I have always believed – the bigger the dream, the more successful the brand.
