Hi.

 

So. I get bajillions of questions from you guys all day every day across all my social media platforms. SO MUCH SO that I have here for you my Ask Alix…column? Thread? Series?

Whatever you wanna call it, this is the first one and I’ll be doing this on the regular. So keep the Q’s coming and I’ll do my best to be of service to you :} 

 

DEAR ALIX,

 

1. Your branding is FIRE. How do I make my personal branding as good as yours?

 

Awww. THANK YOU. I love hearing this because it took me a while to get it to the point where it felt precisely aligned with ME. That leads me to some golden nugget tidbits that helped me create mine…

 

1. Take quiet time to yourself for as long as you need to (a couple hours a day for a week after work, a full day to really just let your brain GO, 20 minutes a night for a month…whatever) DISTRACTION FREE AKA NO PHONE, set yourself up in an environment that inspires you with a notebook and pen and pick your own brain. What are you passionate about? What are your favorite colors? What do you stand for? What’s most important to you in life? What makes you YOU? How would you describe your personal style? You’re basically giving yourself a space away from the noise of the world to get to know the ins and outs of exactly what makes you tick, how you want your life to be and how you want to represent yourself. 
2. Whether it’s for personal or business, branding is everywhere. You’re branding yourself every time you have an interaction with someone and every time you get dressed in the morning. It all matters. So it’s a matter of deciding exactly how you want to be and how you want to be perceived. They’re really one and the same. But also, like, BE YOURSELF. Decide who the best version of yourself is and just be that. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
3. If you want people to know you for being someone who always delivers stellar services and shows up on time, you gotta walk that walk. And if you’re like me where both worlds collide (as in, you ARE your brand. Like, AL is ME. Who I am at core never changes) all that branding is just me being ME. Like the specific fonts and color schemes I use in my graphics and video creations. Like the way I talk and write. Like the way I sign off on emails. Even the scent of candles I use. Branding is being the full on embodiment of YOU, as well as your product or service. 
4. Evolve! All that said, part of the grand scope of life means never-ending evolution. So, like, a logo I made 5 years ago I currently feel no longer best represents who I am or what I’m about. Same with the change in my appearance and demeanor. We’re all always evolving, so your brand’s gotta evolve with you, too. I recently just did an overhaul on mine to match the vibe I’m feeling in my life right now: elegant and edgy with touches of glam. It wouldn’t feel right to me if I kept all my old graphics and logos because I wanted everything to stay the same. That’s just not what I feel best represents ME anymore. I’ve grown and changed, and businesses grow and change, too. 

 

2. What’s the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring entrepreneur?

 

Oh, man. Just ONE is tough. But since I have to pick just one, here it is.

 

ALWAYS REMEMBER WHY. 

 

What I mean here is to get super duper self aware as to WHY you’re going to go into business for yourself in the first place. Get REALLY clear.

Like, is it because you want to be able to be in control of your own time? Is it because you really love helping people and know you have something really special to offer them? Is it because you want to be able to make boat loads of money to live life exactly as you want to, take care of your family, and buy your dream home?

(And another quick tip: If you’re not getting into business with part of your core reason being about helping people in SOME way, you’re not getting into it for the right reasons). Once you know WHY you’re going to work for yourself, that’s exactly what’s going to keep you going. 

Because let me tell you, working for yourself is NOT always easy. You’re solely responsible for delivering to yourself the exact quality of life you want. If you know what kind of business you want to start, you likely have grand visions as to where you want to be with it in a couple years, right?

So it’s your responsibility to get yourself there, no matter what it takes, to be figuring out every step of the way. That means you have to put in the work and it’s not always going to be a blast in a glass.

Having that core set of reasons to revisit every time you, ya know, have an epic meltdown (which p.s. I welcome with open arms usually a couple times a month), is what’s going to keep you sane when moments of insanity strike.

That said, if you’re committed to this way of life, there is NO greater feeling in the world than bringing your gifts and creations to life for others to enjoy. I would never, EVER choose another way of living other than where I’m at right now. If this is what you truly want, it is SO worth it. 

 

Got burning Q’s? Submit them to me here, on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, whatever! I’m everywhere. ;}

 

xo al