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.