Let’s talk about something that can make or break your business in 2025: a personal brand. No, it’s not just about having a cute logo with your name or a catchy tagline (although let’s be honest, those things are fun). It’s really about how people perceive you — the vibes you give off, the stories you tell, and the trust you build along the way. If you’re a business owner, you might wonder, “Do I really need a personal brand? Isn’t my professional brand identity enough?” 🤔 The short answer? 👉🏼 Nope. The longer answer? 👉🏼 While your professional brand builds credibility, your personal brand builds connections. And in a world where people crave authenticity, those connections are everything. Because at the end of the day, people connect with people. I have been fortunate enough to work with some badass clients on personal brand identities (which I will share with you in a moment) and I would love to do even more! The digital world is getting a little bit louder every day, but the key to standing out isn’t shouting; it’s showing up authentically so you can attract your people. You do this by creating a relatable personal brand that speaks to your values and sparks meaningful connections. Some recent personal brand identity projects I love I want to share some of the personal brand identities I’ve worked on recently. I chose projects that showcase the distinct personalities of the women behind the brands to hopefully inspire you to start thinking about your own! Laura Khalil is the powerhouse behind the Elevate Mastermind (which I have the privilege to be part of) and the host of the Big Deal Energy Podcast. She’s a sales and marketing advisor who helps solo service providers land consistent $20k+ months without the hustle or grind. For Laura’s brand, I wanted to create something bold to reflect her dynamic and approachable personality. Her personal brand identity is a true reflection of her expertise, energy, and unwavering commitment to helping solopreneurs thrive! Carmen Smith is a mindset, productivity, and well-being coach who is all about infusing life with magic, joy, and a touch of enchantment. She provides personalized holistic coaching to help people unlock their potential and create a life that aligns with their deepest values. Working with Carmen on her personal brand identity was a beautiful experience. She makes you feel seen, heard, and loved. She sees the light in you and helps you see it in yourself. I chose design elements that really showcase the warmth and whimsy that make her so unique! Nicole Gallo is a brand strategist and copywriter who helps entrepreneurs and leaders connect with their audience through authentic marketing strategies and human-centric copy. She’s an introvert who is passionate about making marketing less painful for fellow introverts. As an introvert myself, I can attest to her talents in this area! For Nicole’s personal brand identity, I wanted to create something that felt both approachable and modern that communicates her expertise and connects with her ideal clients. Every element was designed to reflect Nicole’s ability to create marketing that resonates, builds trust, and delivers results—while positioning her as the expert she is. When my friend Robin Kramer told me about Susan Harbourt and all of the amazing things she does, I knew I just had to meet her! Not only does she make GORGEOUS handcrafted jewelry inspired by nature and her travels, she also hosts creative classes, workshops, and retreats — sometimes in the 150+ year-old lighthouse she is restoring with her family! ⚓️😍 As a brand designer, it was so fun to work on Susan’s rebrand. I got to create something that encompasses all the things she’s passionate about. Whenever I’m working on a project like this, I start choosing three words to describe the client’s vibe. For Susan, I chose the words explore, create, and curiosity. This helped give me direction as I started the brand identity! A professional brand identity represents what you do. A personal brand identity represents who you are. And when you align the two, you create some real magic. 💫 2025 is the year to build a personal brand that’s magnetic, memorable, and uniquely yours. I’d love to help you make it happen! Let’s craft a brand identity that helps you show up confidently and connect with your people.
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I had lunch with my younger self today. She looked nervous. I felt excited to get to know her more.
She was wearing leggings and a kimono. I was in a maxi dress and a vest. We both complimented each other on our outfits—turns out, our style hasn’t changed much. Same with food. We both ordered the Cajun chicken sandwich, blackened, of course. I could tell she was holding back tears. She told me she might lose her job of 10 years because of a merger—the only one she’d ever had since college. On top of that, she is in the middle of her green card process, the breadwinner of her family with a five-year-old, and a mortgage. She smirked politely when I told her things would work out, but I could see she didn’t fully believe me. She said she dreams of going out on her own but has no idea where to even start. I told her that once she decides to go for it, things will work out even better than she imagined. She told me about a moment with her dad—how he once worried about her career choice but later said, "I’m proud of you for sticking with design. You proved me wrong, and I’m so happy to see you thriving." It meant the world to her. I told her I was sure that moment would be her anchor to move forward with her dreams. She tried to pay the bill, even though every financial decision feels terrifying at the moment. I told her it was my treat and that feeling scared was normal. Being an adult is hard, but she would come out of this even stronger. If you could meet your younger self, what would you tell them? |
AUTHOR
Karla Pámanes is an award-winning designer, branding expert, and mentor who helps businesses elevate their brands through strategic and impactful impactful visual design. Based in San Antonio, TX, she lives with her son, Lennon, and their two quirky cats, Teodoro and Paquito. ARCHIVES
March 2025
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