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Adventures in Branding : The Journey of Building Brand You

October 5, 2012 By Danielle Hatfield 4 Comments

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photography by Stacey Van Berkel

We all have our story to tell.

Each of us has traveled many long and hard roads to get where we are today, and our experiences have shaped and changed us.

Our personal brand is a reflection of each adventure, misstep, triumph, and heartache.

Discovering and building your personal brand is a journey. One that will never truly end until you reach your final destination.

It’s one journey that can be difficult to pack for, often has delays is full of inspiration and ultimately defines the person you become in the process.

Recently, I was invited by friend and client, Sherry Martz, to present at Bloggy Conference about Being the CEO of You : Building Your Personal Professional Brand. . . it was an honor to learn more from those amazing women that I feel like I was able to share.

This adventure inspired me to share the story of my journey of building my personal brand.

Often you don’t realize that building your personal brand is the foundation for all other endeavors you undertake. Regardless of the businesses you own, sell, work for or with, you will always be YOU.

Danielle Hatifeld : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

Your personal brand is a beacon. For your family,  friends, clients and especially yourself.

Though I have been interviewed numerous times and often am asked to speak on personal branding, I never considered sharing what inspired my brand and style . . . that is until I met international award winning photographer, Stacey Van Berkel.

Stacey and I met thanks to WithIt in the Spring of 2012.  I was instantly smitten with her kind and generous spirit.

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

It was an honor for her to be one of my sponsors to Bloggy Conference. Discovering her talent for telling a story with one photograph was a true gift that I am determined to share. When you spend some time looking through her portfolio, you begin to see the ease in which she captures a moment and transforms it into a web of details.

The idea of telling my personal brand story evolved over a cup of coffee/tea and a trip to downtown Greensboro’s Old Southern Railway Depot.

Stacey encouraged me to share what has shaped the woman I have become so that I could help other women on the same journey, of building a personal brand, tell their story.

So here is a taste of what inspired me . . .

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

My Father was a WWII vet. Though he rarely spoke of his experience, his depression era values still resonate with me today.

I am a lover of reclaimed objects, a die hard DIYer and am constantly torn between my blue jeans and boots and my high heels and dresses.

Danielle hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

I believe every woman should have a place where she can prepare herself both mentally and physically for the day. Often that place is in the compact that is passed down from generation to generation and wrapped in a hand-stitched handkerchief.

My love of the fashion and makeup from the 40’s and 50’s comes from my Father’s love of watching old black and white movies.

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

As a young woman, I was in awe of the manner and dress in which the women carried themselves. I still watch old movies at the end of a long day or as I work on my DIY projects not just for entertainment, mind you, but for inspiration.

Over the years I have purchased furniture and clothing that represents my generational style. Some of my favorite antiques and vintage finds have come from thrift shops like Goodwill and PTA – but the best have come from family and friends.

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

For me, the 40’s and 50’s were a magical era where women wore gloves and hats and always had a hankie. Where their hair was rarely out of place, and they never left the house without their pearls on.

The women of the silver screen had dresses and gowns that celebrated natural feminine curves. I love each hat and glove. To this day, I swear I will have my closet full of quality, vintage inspired, hand sewn clothing even if I have to sew them all myself! Though I will still leave the finer details to Victoria’s Secret.

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

These women are all beautiful to me, but the one who stands out is Grace Kelly. Her classic style is timeless and one that continues to inspire me today.

It’s not unusual to incorporate what has shaped us into our personal brand.

We all look to outside influences for inspiration, but it is our thoughts and actions that truly shape the person we become.

Thinking of yourself as a brand is often difficult, but when you consider of all the stops along the way that make up ‘Brand YOU’ you begin to see the potential of telling your story.

Your brand is made up of a thousand thoughts that you wrangle into a cohesive story about who you are. Years ago, these thoughts would be kept in handwritten journals . . . today we have social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Being active on social sites is wonderful but regardless of where we have been or where we are going, we all need a place to call home. With your personal brand, it’s your website. It’s a place where we can keep the ‘journals’ of your adventures.

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

If you haven’t already – buy your domain name. This means YOURNAME.COM or YOURFULLNAME.COM or both. Even if you’re not quite ready to launch your personal brand buying your domain name is the first stop on the journey of building brand YOU. (Don’t forget – If you have children, buy their domain names as well. It is an investment in their future.)

Think of your personal website as a destination for everyone you encounter. It’s where you can share your passions, talents and your journey as your grow into your authentic self.

The one question I get asked the most when it comes to personal branding is “where do I start?” . . . well, the journey of building brand YOU begins with the commitment to share your story.

Are you ready?

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

—

Read more of my thoughts on how to build your Personal Professional Brand

Special thanks to:

Stacey – thank you for being so thoughtful and for encouraging and helping me share my story, your talent is breathtaking.

Maria – you are amazing, and I look forward to getting to know you better!

Jim – we are grateful to you and your staff at Southern Rail for your generous hospitality.

To the kind folks at the Greensboro Depot – thank you for your kind words and patience.

—

Danielle Hatfield : The Journey of Building Brand YOU

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

Who has inspired you on your personal branding journey?

Are you creating a consistent brand experience? (business card, website/blog, personal style)

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Filed Under: Branding, Building Your Professional Personal Brand, Business, Lifestyle, Motivational, Personal Branding, Success, Uncategorized Tagged With: action plan for personal success, Bloggy Conference, Goodwill, Personal Branding, personal goals, PTA Thrift, Stacey Van Berkel, Stacey Van Berkel Photography, Withit

About Danielle Hatfield

Owner/Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm - DIYs, recipes and sharing my 2 cents on social media

« Networking Checklist : Do’s and Don’ts of Making Connections
Personal Branding: 11 Posts to Grow What You Know »

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I can’t describe the joy this little fella has b I can’t describe the joy this little fella has brought to our lives. 😍

We sadly lost our sweet Charlie back in March to chronic kidney disease. We were heartbroken that our four legged friend of nearly 12 years finally crossed the rainbow bridge. 

Months later we had the opportunity to rescue Max. His mother had died and he needed a home...and we needed some hope for the future. 

Max is growing fast and his boundless energy and sweet snuggles have brought some much needed joy to our lives. 

He’s a #GermanShepherd / #TerrierMix and is not only fast but wicked smart. 

Even on the toughest day he makes it brighter. ❤️

#adoptdontshop #puppypower #pandemicpuppy
They say that #SewingMendsTheSoul and agree 💯%. They say that #SewingMendsTheSoul and agree 💯%. 

Sipping @cafedumonde coffee out of my antique #NoritakeChina and #HandSewing some #AntiqueLace from @thebrandonpirece’s grandmother’s stash to mend a velvet cape is my #MindfulnessMeditation today. 

I am looking to add more #MindfulMoments to my 2021. Though I don’t have the complete set to my antique @noritakechina coffee cups - they bring me such joy every time I use them. (and I have no clue what the pattern is! help?!) 

#ThriftStoreFinds like this, that contribute to my #MindfulnessMeditation, are giving me hope for what the #NewYear can offer. ❤️
“As long as you keep secrets and suppress inform “As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are fundamentally at war with yourself…The critical issue is allowing yourself to know what you know. That takes an enormous amount of courage.”

- Bessel A. van der Kolk, @thebodykeepsthescore : Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

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@TheBrandonPierce grilled #sriracha marinated shrimp and I brewed @cafedumonde #chickorycoffee and cooked @quaker old fashioned #grits with a pat or three of unsalted butter and @betterthanbouillon vegetable base. 

Most of the time we eat this dish out of a salad bowl. 🤤 The grits are slathered in butter,  @traderjoes sriracha sauce is drizzled over piled high shrimp, and grated black pepper #ToscanoCheese blankets the shrimp like snow. 

It’s one of my absolute favorite breakfast/brunch dishes! 

I tried something a little different with the plating - seeing as we had already eaten most of our #GrillDay portion of shrimp. 😬

I am still working on our #ChristmasBrunch menu... and I learned that this is a perfect portion size that helps us save room for ALL of our favorite holiday foods. 

What’s your favorite holiday dish? 

#BrunchRecipes #BetterThanBouillon #CafeDuMonde #Quaker #SouthernCooking #ItsaSouthernThing #TraderJoes
Going through my #FabricStash today to find pieces Going through my #FabricStash today to find pieces that are perfect for #ChristmasStockings. 

I’ve enjoyed #HandSewing these @orange_bettie mini stockings to surprise some of our elderly relatives with treats on Christmas Day. 

If you love #sewing this is a great project to not only help you give a #handmade gift but it also makes quick work of the fabric you may already have stashed away.

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One of the most wonderful things you can do is #Sh One of the most wonderful things you can do is #ShareYourJoy with the world. 

Make time this holiday season to share something that brings you joy. 

Whether it’s a #homemade goodie or locally bought gift. Give from your heart this holiday season and let the people who impact your life in a positive way know what they mean to you. 

Gratitude is a miraculous gift. ❤️
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