Stop Separating Your Life From Your Brand
Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels
The things that make our brand unique and help it stand out are our stories, past experiences, and the things we are passionate about. These are what set us apart. Think of it this way: no two products or services are entirely the same because no two life journeys are the same.
Here’s an example:
Two fitness trainers.
Fitness Trainer 1 has a military background. The way he teaches his classes will naturally be different because he may incorporate military discipline and lessons into his training, which makes him stand out.
Fitness Trainer 2 has a background in nutrition. The way he teaches his classes will also be different because he may integrate food and nutrition education into his training, which again makes him stand out.
In short, sometimes our past jobs or experiences may not seem necessary to include in our brand. But the truth is, every single detail has shaped who you are today—and that naturally reflects in your brand.
Take me, for example.
As a photographer and videographer today, I used to perform on stage as a guitarist and singer, and on the side, I teach music. By combining my previous passions and work experiences with what I do now, my photography and videography have taken on a whole new meaning.
As a musician, it allows me to understand the music behind the videos I film. This helps me choose the right style or genre of music to match the mood of the video. It also allows me to create impact through my cuts during post-production by editing in sync with the beat. On top of that, I can even write my own music to pair with my videos if I can’t find something suitable online.
As a music teacher, Teaching is a beautiful thing. It requires patience, humility, and the ability to simplify technical concepts in a way that is relatable and relevant. This has helped me greatly when educating clients or proposing new ideas. It also helps me create strong first impressions and stand out from other professionals in my field. By approaching my work as a teacher first and a videographer second, it becomes easier for me to understand my clients’ pain points, create solutions, put my ego aside, and explain technical ideas in a way they can understand—with a smile.
I used to feel shy about my past experiences as a musician and music teacher because I thought they had nothing to do with who I am today as a photographer and videographer. But as the years went by and I matured in my field, I realised something interesting: returning clients often commented on things directly related to my previous experiences. Comments like,
“We love the music behind the video—it connects with us emotionally.”
“We appreciate how you broke down the storyboard so clearly.” “
"We feel comfortable asking questions without being overwhelmed by technical terms.”
These traits helped me strengthen trust with my clients and build long-term relationships.
Now, you might be thinking: What if I don’t have a hobby or past experience like this? I beg to differ.
If you look deeper, you’ll find traits, personalities, or life experiences that have shaped who you are today. You may not have a specific hobby—but along the way, you’ve likely picked up valuable life lessons as a business owner. Knowing what works and what doesn’t, getting back up after failure, learning how to communicate better—these lessons are incredibly valuable to your customers when they show up in your brand.
Summary
Don’t treat your brand as just a product or service. Bring in your past experiences, life lessons, stories, painful moments, problems and solutions, relationships, and connections. Every little detail that has shaped you into who you are today belongs in your brand—and that’s what will help you stand out.