Be human or be ignored — why authenticity matters and how my brand helped me launch a business

I still remember how uncomfortable I felt the first time someone suggested I needed to “build my personal brand.” It seemed so … self-promoting. Weren’t my ideas and work supposed to speak for themselves?

But as I looked around at who was actually gaining traction in my industry, I noticed something important. The most talented people weren’t necessarily getting opportunities. The ones who showed up as themselves, shared what they knew, and helped others along the way truly thrived. Then, I realized being authentic isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential.

My breakthrough came when I stopped trying to sound like everyone else in my industry. I stopped using jargon that made me feel important but put distance between me and the people I wanted to help. Instead, I started writing and speaking exactly how I talk to my closest friends. The response was immediate and powerful. Here’s what actually worked for me.

How An Authentic Personal Brand Leveled Up My Career

When I first opened LinkedIn, it felt like a corporate graveyard. Everyone sounded the same. Buzzwords. Status updates dressed up as leadership. That’s not what my personal brand is, and I don’t think that’s what a personal brand should be.

A personal brand isn‘t just a logo or catchy tagline attached to your name — it’s the authentic expression of who you are, what you stand for, and the unique value you bring to others. It’s the intersection of your genuine expertise and distinctive perspective that creates an impression in people’s minds when they encounter your work or hear your name.

When I was newly promoted to head of social content at Gymshark, I didn’t want to fall into the brag-post trap. I wanted to create content with value.

I posted five times a week — win or flop, rain or shine. Some posts got 10 likes. Some got 10,000. But the rhythm built trust. It built recognition. And recognition, over time, became credibility. Here’s my…