I’m joined by AJ Vaden, the CEO and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group, one of the world’s leading authorities on personal brand strategy. We dive into what it means to have a personal brand and address some of the common misconceptions that people have around the idea. AJ emphasizes the importance of shifting the focus to who you really are, not just relying on your professional title to tell your whole story. She details some fascinating discoveries that her firm made through the first-ever US study on the state of personal branding, and shares the current trends she and her team are seeing in marketing. Plus, she breaks down the four most important questions that you need to get really clear on before launching your personal brand and gives her top tips about where to start that process.    IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: Creating a monetization plan for your reputation What motherhood has taught AJ about personal branding  Why your comfort will ultimately hold you back from your calling  AJ’s process for being present and consistent with follow-ups  The three questions that Brand Builders Group sought to answer in their national personal branding study  The best way to get started with your personal branding strategy    RESOURCES Schedule your FREE personal brand strategy call with one of the Brand Builders Group experts at freebrandcall.com/loriharder!  Thanks to Indeed for supporting Earn Your Happy. Go to indeed.com/happy to redeem a $75 sponsored job credit.  Thanks a Little Passports for supporting my show. Little Passports is offering new customers 20% off when you go to littlepassports.com/lori. Sign up for The Spritz newsletter at litepink.com! Text PODCAST to 310-496-8363 for updates and a chance to be featured on the show!   CONNECT WITH AJ  Follow AJ: @aj_vaden  Learn more about Brand Builders Group: brandbuildersgroup.com  Listen to The Influential Personal Brand Podcast    CONNECT WITH LORI Follow me: @loriharder Follow Lite Pink: @drinklitepink Follow Earn Your Happy: @earnyourhappy Follow Girlfriends & Business: @girlfriendsandbusiness Listen to Girlfriends & Business   GUEST BIO AJ Vaden is CEO and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group, one of the world's leading authorities on personal brand strategy.    She’s also the co-host of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, named one of Forbes' top 10 podcasts to listen to in 2021. Along with her company she’s been featured in Inc, Success Magazine, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Good Morning America.  With an entrepreneurial career that spans 15 years, AJ has been part of founding, building, and leading 4 different 7 and 8 figure companies all centered about personal and professional development practices.  Her client roster includes senior executives from Fortune 100 Companies and 9 Figure Entrepreneurs to Hollywood Actors, Award Winning Musicians and Politicians to New York Times Bestselling Authors and world-renowned thought leaders.    She has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people from across the world spanning globally recognized brands such as Bridgestone and DIRECTV to industry leaders including Budget Blinds, Verizon Cellular Sales, and American Pacific Mortgage to nationally recognized organizations like NAWBO and EO on how to become more well known in your space and leverage your reputation to be recognized as your industry’s “go-to” expert.