One of my biggest regrets in starting and growing our company? How long I avoided building a personal brand.
I wish I could tell you that I leaned into it from day one, but the truth is, I didn’t. For years, I put it off. I told myself I was too busy. That it wasn’t really necessary. That my company brand was “good enough.”
But here’s what I’ve learned…
Your company’s reputation and your reputation as the founder are deeply linked. People want to know who’s behind the product or service. They want to hear from the founder directly.
Once I finally committed to building my personal brand, the difference was undeniable. Our leads got stronger. The conversations I was having were more meaningful. The credibility of my company grew in ways I hadn’t considered before.
This blog isn’t a theory post. It’s the honest perspective of a founder who avoided personal branding for far too long and what happened when I finally made it a priority.
A decade ago, personal branding for CEOs was reserved for the “elite.” Everyone knew who Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, or Elon Musk were. Outside of that, most founders stayed in the background, especially in smaller companies.
But the game has changed.
Whether you’re leading a startup, a small business, or a growing company, people expect to know who you are. Customers, partners, and even potential employees want to understand your story. They want to know the face and voice behind the company.
There are 3 main reasons why I think this has become the new reality:
When you show up as the founder, you humanize your company. You make it relatable. You build trust that no logo or tagline can match.
If you’ve been avoiding this, I get it because at one time, I did too. It’s uncomfortable. It’s awkward at first. But if you’re not showing up, you’re missing one of the biggest opportunities to grow your business.
Let’s break down the core reasons personal branding matters so much:
People remember stories over logos. When a founder shares an authentic story about why they started their business, it resonates. For example, I’ve seen founders share deeply personal moments that led to their idea, and those posts stick with people far longer than any polished ad campaign.
When you share your perspective on industry shifts or future trends, you position yourself as a trusted guide. That draws opportunities like media features, speaking gigs, strategic partnerships, and better customers. People want to follow leaders who think ahead.
Company pages just feel like marketing channels. But when the CEO posts, it feels like leadership. It feels like they’re sharing a vision. That’s why founder-led content consistently outperforms branded content.
Millennials and Gen Z are skeptical buyers. They don’t just want to know what you sell, they want to know who’s behind it. That trend isn’t going away.
If you’re the type who likes proof before committing, the numbers make this undeniable.
If half of your company’s market value is tied to your reputation, doesn’t it make sense to invest in it?
I make content for a living, and I was even intimidated to start building a personal brand. Adding more content to my plate on top of our company’s also felt overwhelming. The idea of talking to the camera? Awkward. The discipline of showing up consistently? Tough.
But through trial and error, I figured out a system that works. Here are the three things that made the biggest difference for me.
At first, I despised talking to the camera. I felt ridiculous, even when I was sitting alone in my office. But I kept telling myself, “Just do it.” Eventually, it became less awkward and now it feels normal.
I couldn’t rely on last-minute inspiration. I started planning content at least two weeks ahead, sometimes more. I always recommend that founders create a backlog of content before publishing so they don’t fall behind.
Consistency doesn’t happen by accident. I carved out dedicated time, usually the same day and time each week, to create my content. When it’s on the calendar, it gets done.
None of this is groundbreaking. It’s discipline. But discipline creates momentum. And momentum creates results.
Once I got consistent, the impact was clear.
The real value of a personal brand isn’t vanity metrics. It’s about building trust, credibility, and relationships that drive your business forward.
If you’re a founder wondering how to begin, here’s my advice:
The hardest part is starting. But once you do, you’ll build systems, get more comfortable, and start to see results that make the effort worth it.
If you’re a founder sitting on the fence, don’t wait another day. Start with what you have. Share your perspective. Be the face of your business.
A year from now, you’ll thank yourself.
And if you want someone to take the heavy lifting off your plate — from strategy to systems to content execution — that’s exactly what we do at Breezy. We help founders build powerful online reputations and personal brands so they can focus on running their business.
Remember: your company’s reputation is tied to yours. Make sure it’s one you’re proud of.
Savannah Abney is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Breezy Company. With over 6 years of experience, she specializes in content strategy, video marketing, and brand storytelling-helping small businesses grow through a strong digital reputation.
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