Why GenYOUine™ Always Wins
When folx think about branding, they often confuse two critical concepts: personal brand and public image. They are so not the same. Understanding the difference—and why one naturally improves the other—is the key to building something lasting, impactful, and true to you.
The Trap of Public Image
Public image is how others perceive you. It’s the snapshot and snap decision about your character, values, and expertise folx create in their minds based on what you project. While it’s easy to think that public image is the ultimate goal of branding, the truth is more complicated. Public image is shaped by external factors—trends, opinions, and assumptions.
The danger lies in its unpredictability. When you try to cater to public image, you often sacrifice yourself for the fleeting approval of folx on the scroll. Instead of standing ten toes down, you turn up for chasing what you think people want to see, which leads to burnout, inconsistency, and a disconnect.
I fell into this trap during my time as “Mrs. Mista.” The moniker wasn’t something I chose for myself—it was gifted to me because of my connection to my husband and business partner, Bigmista. At first, it felt empowering. As Mrs. Mista, I was recognized, valued, and seen. I was part of a story bigger than myself, and that felt good. But over time, I realized I wasn’t building a personal brand. I was performing for a public image that wasn’t entirely my own.
The longer I clung to Mrs. Mista, the further I drifted from Phyllis—the real me. The more I invested in that persona, the more I lost touch with the woman behind it. I didn’t just lose myself in a personal brand; I lost determined my worth by my notoriety.
The Power of a Personal Brand
Unlike public image, a personal brand isn’t about pleasing the crowd. It’s about pleasing yourself first—aligning with your values, owning your truth, and showing up consistently so you can please your clients on your terms. When I stepped away from Mrs. Mista, I knew I didn’t want to abandon the idea of branding entirely. Instead, I wanted to redefine it in a way that worked for me.
That’s when I became the Ghetto Country Brandmother. This wasn’t just a name; it was a deliberate, strategic choice. I chose parts of myself I was willing to share—my experience, education, expertise, and, yes, my love of bourbon, cigars, and family gatherings. These weren’t just quirks or interests; they were pieces of me that felt true and aligned with what I was building.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t share everything and I still don’t. I don’t believe that everything about your life is content. I intentionally keep parts of myself—parts of Phyllis—private. Why? Because a strong personal brand isn’t about laying yourself bare for the world to see. It’s about sharing enough to connect while keeping enough to protect. Phyllis didn’t disappear when I became the Ghetto Country Brandmother®. She became stronger, more grounded, and more present in my life.
How a Personal Brand Improves Public Image
Here’s the magic though: When you lead with a personal brand that’s rooted in self-awareness, your public image takes care of itself. People connect with your courage, consistency, and clarity. You’re no longer chasing trends or trying to fit into a mold—you’re creating your own narrative.
For me, transitioning to the Ghetto Country Brandmother allowed me to build a brand that resonated deeply with my audience. It wasn’t about pretending or performing; it was about being intentional and true to the parts of myself I was willing to share. My public image naturally reflected that truth, and the connection with my audience grew stronger.
Public image becomes a byproduct of intentionality. Instead of striving to please everyone, you focus on showing up as the best brand leader for your business. Over time, this builds respect, credibility, and influence.
Why GenYOUineness™ Always Wins
Many people confuse being “authentic” with being “genuine.” Authenticity is often performative—it’s about meeting someone else’s standard of “realness.” It’s saying, “Look at me! I’m real!” But genYOUineness™? That’s quiet confidence. It’s rooted in self-awareness and the courage to show up as you are, without the need for external validation.
As the Ghetto Country Brandmother®, I’m genYOUine™ in everything I do. I don’t try to fit into a mold of what a personal brand strategist should be. I smoke cigars. I drink bourbon. I tell stories about family that I have permission to share. These things are as much a part of me as my expertise and experience. I don’t apologize for them, nor do I perform them for effect.
This is the power of being genYOUine™: It allows you to connect deeply without the pressure of perfection. People don’t resonate with polished personas. They resonate with intentional, real people.
Building a Personal Brand That Lasts
Building a personal brand isn’t just about business; it’s about aligning with your truth. How you start is:
Know Yourself — Spend time contemplating what you want in your life, brand and business. Self-awareness is at the root of a personal brand. If you don’t know what you stand for, your brand will always feel hollow.
Be Intentional — Decide how you want to show up in the world. Don’t let others define you. Choose the parts of yourself you want to share and own them unapologetically.
Stay Consistent — Let your actions, words, and messaging align with your personal truth. Consistency fosters trust and strengthens not only your personal brand, but the brand of the business.
Protect What Matters — You don’t have to share everything. Keep parts of yourself for yourself. A strong personal brand isn’t about oversharing; it’s about intentional sharing.
Embrace Evolution — Your personal brand isn’t static. It should grow and evolve with your role as a leader. Don’t be afraid to change as long as the change feels true to you and what you’re building.
The Bold and Barefaced Always Win
In a world obsessed with optics, the bold and barefaced—those who dare to lead with genYOUine™ courage—always stand out. Building a personal brand isn’t about being perfect or universally liked. And it’s not about hyping and marketing yourself. It’s about being intentional and true to how you lead, regardless of how others perceive you.
So, grab a bourbon, light a cigar, and let’s see you put some skin in the game. Because when you build a brand that’s genYOUine™, you don’t just win the game—you rewrite the rules.
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