Individuality, the Cornerstone to Branding Your Purpose

Angel Quintana April 29, 2015

INDIVIDUALITY, THE CORNERSTONE TO BRANDING
YOUR PURPOSE

Article by Nicole Zaagman
Photo Credit: Fabiola Zamora
Magazine: Issue #24

We see this every day. The girl with pink hair. The guy with piercings and tattoos covering his body. The company focused on impacting the world positively, instead of merely their bottom line. Or the girl with red ostrich leather boots, side note: if you’ve seen my branding you’ll know I am referring to myself.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with dying your hair pink, covering your body with décor, the cause the organization is supporting or perhaps you could care less for country music, you’ve noticed them. Their individuality is speaking volumes verses your lack of originality or you wasting time worrying about whether or not you agree with their decisions.

See the foundational element of branding, the cornerstone of pursuing your purpose is understanding at the most basic level, what makes you, you. What brings a slight smile across your face? What lights up your heart and makes love with your soul. Don’t know what that might be or how you can start to discover the deepest depths of your being? I get it. I used to be there, I’ve been there. I didn’t understand how others could be so confident in their identity to just be who they are, deep down. It’s about releasing judgement, learning to not love others, but to love ourselves enough to pay attention to what we want.

So, what do you want? Freedom? The ability to travel with your family? More money? A bigger house? Now ask yourself why. Why freedom? Why do you want to travel? Why do you want more money? Why do you want a bigger house? Will any of those things make a difference to how you relate to yourself right now, in this very moment?

Chances are, the answer is no. I challenge you, just as I challenge myself every.single.day to ask myself the tough questions, to dig deep, face my inner demons and really, truly understand who I am, what makes me… me and how this impacts the direction of my business and the women I serve. Branding isn’t just about your logo, your colors, your marketing or how many times you post on social media. It’s about loving, laughing and crying your way to what you want and finding your purpose in the midst of yourself.

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Luxury Brand Building: Altering the Myths & Meaning

Angel Quintana February 26, 2015

LUXURY BRAND BUILDING: ALTERING THE MYTHS & MEANING

Luxury Brand Building

Article by Tamisha Ford
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #22

Recently, when browsing Pinterest (one of my favorite things to do), I saw a pin that said something to the tune of "I'd rather have simplicity than luxury."

To be honest, it bothered me. Why can't we have both? I'm a paradox girl, so saying "either/or" to me is dangerous. I'll figure out a way to have both.

Ever since I saw that pin, I've wanted to put my two cents out there about the statement, because I do think it's a misconception that luxury and simplicity are mutually exclusive.

So what is the myth? The myth is that luxury = complicated. That luxury is somehow bad or that only difficult, high-maintenance people like luxury – that it’s only effective or influential if it’s overly diverse.

All myths.

To me, luxury is simplicity, so I don't understand the connotation. If we look at luxury brands, what do they and every one of their websites do best? They're clean, usually black and white, and have an extremely simple menu of options to navigate. What is more simple than two colors, 5-8 parent categories to navigate, and the most recent lookbooks or collections they have to offer?

Nada in my books. Luxurious branding is simple branding. Chandeliers are exquisite and intricate, yet hover gracefully in one spot.

So what does this myth mean for our businesses now that we know this? I put together a couple of things I've learned:

1 :: You can be extremely influential with a simple business model.

Anyone who knows Angel Quintana knows that she does things just a cut outside the mainstream. Signature System™ anyone? This was an attractive concept to me, because I had always been one of those entrepreneurs who bought into the 25-different-coaching-packages-and-services-model. Maybe you can relate. It's utterly overwhelming when you're starting out to try to follow that business model. It's like we set ourselves up to fail before we even start!

I'm not saying this method doesn't still work for a whole lot of people - I believe it does. I'm just saying that, if we believe luxury doesn't equal complication, then we can be okay with being unconventional and not having to do 25 coaching packages and maybe even enjoy our work that much more.

2 :: You can intensely influence the niche you’re creating by embracing the "both and" of paradox instead of the tyranny of "either/or".

To clarify, I'm merely suggesting that I believe entrepreneurs should start honoring themselves and the way they work as much as their clients - to start asking "how do I want to work with my clients and this business" instead of leaving yourself out of the equation. What's more luxurious and simple than building sustainably

3 Powerful Ways To Grow Your Personal Brand

Angel Quintana February 3, 2015

3 POWERFUL WAYS TO GROW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Grow Your Personal Brand

Article by Elizabeth Kelsey Bradley
Photo Credit: Hailley Howard
Magazine: Issue #21

Strong personal brands take time to grow, but the great news is that if you are looking to start or grow your business, now is the best time to start!

With the power of social media, blogging, newsletters, guest posting, and countless other ways to target the people that resonate with your vibe and message ( as well as of course services and products) you can expand your personal brand like never before.

Here are my top tips for spreading your personal brand like wildfire and setting the net ablaz.

Nail Presentation

Before you begin promoting yourself, you need to really nail how your website + branding. Presentation is king, contrary to what other people may tell you. Yes, content is a huge, huge part of growing a personal brand and business, but presentation ( design, photography, copywriting too) need to be strong.

You don’t need to spend a ton on rebranding. You can certainly do it yourself using Squarespace ( and maybe enrolling Stellar Website if you need training) or hire an affordable designer. The key here is to know yourself and who you serve as this is what needs to be in place before you do anything.

Position Yourself

Expanding upon presentation, the next crucial element to growing a personal brand is positioning. Who are you associated with? What companies have you worked with? Any wellknown figures in your niche? Any guest posting gigs worth mentioning?

Anything that will set you apart and also differentiate you plus give you credibility should be mentioned in your sidebar, media kit, and media page, as well as even your about page. Be honest, and be real here. No need to over-inflate nor to take away from your accomplishments or associations.

Benefits Benefits Benefits

You want your brand to spread? Tell your readers and potential customers/clients how you can serve them like none other. How you’re devoted to uplifting them, encouraging them, serving them. Focus in your copywriting on the benefits they will receive from working with you. Go deep with this stuff.

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What are You Known For? Everybody's Got Their Something

Angel Quintana November 26, 2014

WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR?
EVERYBODY'S GOT THEIR SOMETHING

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Rose Jane
Magazine: Issue #19

We spend an awful lot of time and energy trying to find our own brilliance and the hidden talents that make us special and give us value. As Nikka Costa sings, “Everybody got their something.”

Brilliance

Genius

Talent

Some get to find their ‘something’ early in life and the quest is about perfecting it while others struggle with breaking out of prescribed comfort zones to take steps and make discoveries toward It (the WHAT that we accomplish). We become known for It and then, if we’re lucky, we receive ribbons, prizes, money and more! Really, it begins as an essence that radiates outward for which no golden guy is ever given.

Essence is energy.

Energy is transferrable.

Energy transforms.

We are energetic beings.

Let’s stop letting our linear mind complicate things. Now.

What a waste of energy it is to search and search in order to GET something or an outcome when you can take that energy and put it into creating fundamental interactions that bring more of this brilliance TO you and, therefore, the right outcomes for you?

We’re talking about finding our own brilliance by way of “like attracting like.” Search for it in others, surround yourself in that appreciation of the simplest of somethings, and yours is/are easier to find. See? It’s a magnetic field that you create just by being energetically engaged.

Here’s an exercise to include in your day-to-day activities with every person you encounter. The person you pass on the street. The clerk at the store. The mail carrier. Someone ahead of you in line.

1| Stop all thoughts and judgment. Take a breath and center in this moment.

2| Just look at the person. Observe them for a moment, quickly. What is the ONE unique thing about them that you can say is unique, interesting, special. Another way to look at this is: what is the thing about them radiates?

Kind eyes

Warm energy

The swift way they relate to a problem

Their thoroughness

Sound of their laugh

Animated hands when they speak

3| Don’t put them into a category or type. Energetic beings have no title, rank, nationality, color. When you find yourself doing so, go back to that quality in Step 2.

4| If they make eye contact with you, smile. Oh, what the heck… even if they don’t make eye contact, smile; smiles are energetic blessings.

The simplest things will speak to you.

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The Dao of You: The Road, The Path and The Essence of Your Authentic Self

Angel Quintana November 15, 2014

THE DAO OF YOU: THE ROAD, THE PATH
AND THE ESSENCE OF YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #18

In Chinese philosophy, The Dao (Tao) is The Way. Your Dao says everything about who you are, how you live your life and how you do business.

The Road to Self

In the literal sense, Dao means “road” which is the most physical interpretation of this ancient philosophy. What’s the road you travel daily? Do you have a routine that includes good sleep hygiene, a healthy diet, exercise, meaningful relationships and some kind of spiritual practice?

Your authentic self needs the structure of a well-built highway to thrive. Are you a Maserati driving on a dirt road, or zooming down the Autobahn? Patch any potholes in your life so you can thrive.

The Path of Transformation

The Dao is also the Path. It’s the journey that leads you from where you begin in this life to your final destination. Has your journey been Easy Street, a little bumpy, or like climbing Everest?

As pressure turns sand into a diamond, likewise, the journey you travel helps to hone your personal story. There are many ways to tell a story, however, it is when you learn to tell your story from a place of power that you can empower others.

Do you share your personal story in your business? Your path can be a great gift to your clients. Your ideal client is attracted to you because she sees a version of herself in your journey from a more fractured self to wholeness.

The Essence of Authenticity

At the deepest level, your Dao is who you are at your center, a combination of your core values and spiritual beliefs. When you live and lead from the place of your highest calling you are able to generate transformation, in your own life and in the lives of those around you.

This level is energetic and about fully coming into your being. Knowledge of who you are – your authentic self – is required to live at this level. Do you know your highest values? Are you living and working each day in service to those? If not, hire a coach, get clear and use your precious life force to live from this place.

The quality of your energy (chi, prana or The Force to Star Wars fans) and how it flows through your life is critical. Do you engage in activities that raise your energy, like time in nature, viewing art or listening to uplifting music? Are your home and office supportive spaces? Are you committed to a spiritual practice? A life of integrity and authenticity is high vibration. Up yours.

Find your way, your Dao. Get yourself on the road, the path and the essence of you. You, and your clients, deserve the most authentic you.

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Don't Let "HOLES" In Your Brand Steal Your HAPPY!

Angel Quintana August 9, 2014

DON'T LET "HOLES" IN YOUR BRAND STEAL YOUR HAPPY!

Article by Kelsey Borlan Lee
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Magazine: Issue #15

“A Brand is not a product or a promise or a feeling. It’s the sum of all the experiences you have with a company.” -Arim Kassaei

So you are running your own, lucrative, exciting, passion filled businesses… right? If the answer to this is not a resounding YES!!!!!!! Then its time to take a good look as to why not. I would argue that your brand itself is the single best way to measure the health, status, and overall sense of wellbeing you experience in your business. Great branding is an honest and accurate reflection of who you are AND it speaks directly to your ideal clients. If both of these elements are not firmly in place within your brand, then its going to be pretty hard to run the business (and ultimately live the life) of your dreams!

So, here are a few question to help get your creative branding juices flowing:

Your company name - Does it tell potential clients anything about what your business does?

Your logo - Does it speak to what you do or who you are?

Your products & services - Are they luxury items or necessities? Do you want a high-end feel? all american? boutique?

Here’s a huge one: your website! - Is your site user friendly? Does it showcase your business at its best? Can your clients get a feel for who you are and what you are about simply by clicking around your site? If not, this is a problem & you are inevitably loosing business

How you dress is an important one! - Do your clothes align with your brand or work against it?)

Social Media - Does your genuine voice shine through? Or, are you a self-promotion machine?

What is your brand promise? - Do you deliver on your promise?

OK! So, your brand is the whole package. Its what sets you apart from every other photographer, every other designer, every other coach, every other business. Then, what happens when one or several of these elements are out of alignment with your brand? Well, these are what I call “holes” in your brand.

When people encounter a hole in your brand, they will get confused, pause for a moment, and one of two things is going to happen.

• If they already like you and/or if your branding is mostly in place and this is a small hole , they will keep going.

• They will simply walk away to find someone else who they can more easily understand and relate to.

Obviously, this is NOT what you want to happen. So, how do you avoid this? How do you rest assured knowing that the people who click away are leaving for the right reasons (they are simply not your ideal clients) rather than the wrong ones?

Well, I would start with a quick DIY brand audit by going over the above list of brand touch
points. At the same time, ask yourself, “does my brand make me happy?” and, “does my brand speak to my ideal clients?”

If you find that you just have a few minor brand elements that you can tweak, great! Get to it! If on the other hand, your answers are all over the board, then it might be time to consider getting some help and objectivity. Or perhaps, rebranding all together might be the right choice.

Stop loosing customers, time, and money! Instead, invest in yourself and your company by
building a brand your customers can be OBSESSED with!

Create Your Cameo: Put Your Best Brand Face Forward

Angel Quintana July 9, 2014

Put Your Best Brand Face Forward

CREATE YOUR CAMEO: PUT YOUR BEST BRAND FACE FORWARD

Article by Kimberly Manning
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Magazine: Issue #14

As a little girl I was fascinated by the cameo brooches and necklaces in my grandmother’s jewelry box. Silhouettes of Roman goddesses carved into ivory stood out against darker backgrounds, dangling from chains or propped up on earring posts.

In Victorian times, one of a woman’s prized possessions was having her likeness carved into a cameo, a miniature piece of art for everyone to see. Cameos are the original head shot. Here’s how to maximize yours and put your best brand face forward.

If you’re in business, you need the right head shot. Because people want to connect with people, a good head shot can help build trust, create credibility and get people engaged with you and your brand.

Here are 6 tips to make your cameo appearance classic.

1| It’s about your expression.

Sure lighting and location are a factor, but it’s the expression on your face that creates the energy of your head shot. What “look” expresses your brand?

2| The focus is on your face.

This seems obvious but is so important. A good head shot crops in on your face and eliminates unnecessary background.

3| Hire a professional.

Taking a head shot is an art. Unless your friend or brother-in-law is a professional photog, hire someone who is. Don’t use a selfie. Your head shot image is an important part of your business brand. It’s worth the investment. Go pro.

4| Don’t shoot in a studio.

Nothing looks more stilted than a head shot in a sterile studio. Be in your natural environment where you feel comfortable, can express your true essence and the energy of your business brand.

5| It’s all about the squinch.

Pro photographer Peter Hurley recommends squinching to take a better head shot. To do this squint, then relax your eye muscles…oh bother, check out the how-to video here.

6| Pick one.

Take a lot of photos but select one image that you’ll use throughout your branding – on your website, products and as your social media avatar. Have a few other shots that support your key image that you can share with partners or for special promotional projects.

Your head shot is an important piece of your business brand. It’s an opportunity to showcase the best version of you and your brand. Be sure to get a good rest and drink lots of water the day before your shoot. Nervous? Breathe and repeat the mantra “I never take a bad picture.”

You’re a classic. Put your best face forward. You deserve a great cameo.

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Rebellious Booties, Leather Decor, and a Touch of Bling

Angel Quintana April 28, 2014

REBELLIOUS BOOTIES, LEATHER DECOR, AND A TOUCH OF BLING

Fashion Editor: Angel Quintana

Have you been embracing your inner Lola? Lola is the rebel and she likes to schnazz it up a bit. Whether it's a sassy leather chair to accompany her work-from-home desk, or a pair of leather booties she literally sleeps in, this girl has got rough-around-the-edges style and she likes it that way.

Individuality, the Cornerstone to Branding Your Purpose