Branding Lessons We’ve Learned the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)
Sometimes I look back at my old branding, and I cringe - what was I thinking? The colors didn’t match, the aesthetics weren’t there, and I jumped on every trend possible that nothing was consistent, but that’s the beautiful chaos of branding.
I am well versed at this point to the pressures of building a brand, and I’ve learned a few lessons along the way from all the times things didn’t quite go right. At the beginning, I didn’t realize how important branding was, and how it can be the difference between setting yourself apart from the competition. I’m sharing these branding truths with you not because I got it all right—but because I didn’t. Hopefully, they’ll save you a few wrong turns along the way, and help you create a brand that will last the test of time. Whether you’re trying to create and promote yourself, and your personal brand, launching product or service-based company, or finding your stride as a solopreneur, this post is for you!
Branding is Not a Logo - It’s Your Essence
So, it turns out that branding is more than just a logo, color palette, and the font you spent three hours choosing. {insert big sigh here}
Your branding is who you are whenever no one is looking. It’s an embodiment of the soul of your company or the essence of your person, what you stand for, your audience, and the tone all of this sets as you engage with your fans or customers.
Early on, it’s common to spend time investing in the visuals before defining the voice of your brand. Don’t get me wrong, visuals are critically essential, but they don’t work if they don’t fully represent who you are, your voice, your tone and your story. Your branding is the first impression, so make a good one.
Top Tip: Don’t start with your logo. Start with your “why”: What do I want people to feel when they interact with my brand? What do I (or my company) stand for? Then, and only then, build your branding to reflect that!
The Curse of Consistency
There comes a point in every brand journey when the pressure to stay “on brand” can start to feel like a trap. You start chasing trends, saying yes to every opportunity, shaping your message to fit an algorithm, a grid, a mold. And somewhere along the way, your voice, your real voice, gets quieter. And that’s when things start to fall flat or fizzle out.
I’ve been there. And here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t owe anyone a version of your brand that no longer fits, or fits someone else better. Have you ever heard the term “ageless style,” which refers to someone whose style is so superb and classic, that it’s truly ageless and stands the test of time. The same is true with your brand! Be you. Be consistent. Don’t jump on every trend.
If something feels off, you’re allowed to shift. If it’s not working anymore, you’re allowed to change it. But if you’re just evolving because someone told you to, or because you’re afraid you’ll lose your relevancy, the evolution will end up as a disillusionment, instead of the forward momentum you crave. Your brand should evolve because you evolve. That’s not inconsistency, it’s growth.
So take this as your permission slip: to rebrand, to refresh, to realign – by doing it your way. You don’t need a breakdown to begin again, just a little clarity and the courage to honor where you are now. Need help getting started? Check out our blog: How to Refresh Your Personal Brand This Spring, it’s full of gentle, practical steps to help you begin again with intention.
Your Brand isn’t for Everyone
When I first started, I just wanted everyone to love it.
I told myself my brand was “for everyone,” all individuals, all needs, all the time. I thought casting a wide net would attract more people. But here’s what I learned: When you try to speak to everyone, you end up connecting with no one.
Real branding is about choosing. It’s about clarity over crowd-pleasing.
The moment I stopped trying to please the masses and started speaking directly to one person, the right person, everything shifted. The message landed. The right people leaned in.
Your brand won’t be for everyone. And honestly? That’s the point. But it will be magnetic to the people who need it most, and that’s where the magic lives.
You Don’t Need To Do It All Yourself
When you’ve built something from the ground up, handing over the reins, even just a little, can feel terrifying. Your brand is personal. It’s layered with your story, your sweat, your second-guessing. So, inviting someone else in? It can feel like a risk.
But here’s the truth I’ve come to learn: sometimes, an outside eye is exactly what you need.
Whether it’s a new team member or a trusted agency, a fresh perspective can reveal blind spots you didn’t even know existed. The cracks you’ve grown used to seeing. The parts you’ve been too close to see clearly.
And no—bringing in a marketing and brand expert isn’t a failure. It’s wisdom. These people are knowledgeable for a reason. They can help clarify your message, elevate your presence, and hold up a mirror to what’s actually working (and what isn’t). Sometimes, the most empowering thing you can do for your brand is let someone in to help carry the vision.
The Last Lesson
Branding isn’t a one-and-done process. It’s a relationship with yourself, your audience, and your vision. We didn’t arrive at this clarity overnight. Every misstep, every messy pivot, and every lesson shaped the brand we are today.
So if you’re just starting out (or starting over), let our lessons be your guide. The road to a powerful brand isn’t paved with perfection—it’s built through practice. At Womanhood Unwrapped, we believe branding isn’t about reinventing yourself—it’s about coming home to who you’ve always been, with power and purpose. Our DIY Branding Course helps you define and refine your brand from the inside out, without blowing your budget or losing your mind.
