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Personal Brand vs. Public Image
Why Being 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…
