THRIVING IN CHAOS, BY VICTORIA PREW

Do You Really Need a Personal Brand?

Read time: 2.5 minutes

Happy Monday team 👋

Here are two interesting ideas (business and personal growth) to start your week:

• The Thought: The founder vs the business, who wins?
• The Framework: Conveying your "why"

💡 The Thought:

Do I need a personal brand? This is one of the most common questions I get — and the answer is, probably.

Here’s the thing: personal brands are becoming an asset. But they’re also a double-edged sword.

Pretty early on, I realised the power a personal brand could have and the doors it could open. In the early days, you’re not just building a business—you’re building trust. A strong personal brand can legitimise your idea, attract the right people, and create momentum when you need it most. Over time, it becomes more than just a tool—it becomes an asset.

That said, there’s a fine line: if your business is too closely tied to you, it can be difficult for it to grow beyond your involvement. If you step back, does the business stand on its own?

So, do you need a personal brand? It depends.

• If your goal is to be the business—the face, voice, and identity—then go all in.
• If you want to build something bigger than yourself, it might make sense to have multiple "faces", and for you not to be the only one in the limelight past a certain point.

IMO, a personal brand can be an incredible tool. I like the idea of using it to get a business off the ground, then hiring people around you to take off the pressure of a "only the founder" approach. Just be intentional about how you build it and clear on where you want it to take you.

✅ The Frameworks:

Founders are storytellers.

Whether you are the face of your brand of not, it's important you can tell the story and convey your "Why". Here are three simple frameworks to help build your founding story in a way that captivates and connects:

1. The Hero’s Journey
​A classic narrative arc where your customer is the hero, and your product or service is the guide.

• The Problem: What challenge are they facing?
• The Solution: How does your offering help them overcome it?
• The Transformation: What does success look like after using your product?

Example: Think about how Apple frames its products as tools that empower creative people to "Think Different."

2. Before, After, Bridge
​This is a simple, highly effective framework:

• Before: Paint a picture of life without your solution (the pain point).
• After: Show what life looks like with it (the dream).
• Bridge: Explain how your product or idea makes the transition possible.

Example: Many fitness brands use this framework to show the transformation their programs deliver.

3. The “Why, How, What” Framework
​Start with your why to connect emotionally, then explain how you solve the problem, and finally, present what you offer.

Example: Patagonia is a master at this. Their "why" is sustainability, their "how" is creating ethical outdoor gear, and their "what" is the product itself.

🔗 The Quote:

"People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it." – Simon Sinek.

Having a clear purpose behind your actions is key to success.

💬 The Barrier & The Advice

What I’d do:

1. Calculate Your Freedom Number:​
   Work out your monthly household expenses—what’s the bare minimum you need to live? This is your "freedom number." Once your business can reliably cover this amount, you can consider making the leap full-time. It’s often less than you'd imagine. Work towards this number as a step one.
2. Explore Small-Scale Fundraising:​
   If full-time work is holding you back from getting to Step One, look into crowdfunding (Seedrs or CrowdCube) or angel investors with relevant experience who might understand your vision. Start small, focus on telling your story, and remember one of my favourite phrases: “Ask for advice, get money twice.” Seek advice, then ask for money once you've got the relationships in place.
3. Prioritise Revenue Over Scale:​
   Don’t worry about scaling yet—focus on driving steady, predictable revenue. Test premium offers or upsells with your current customers, run referral campaigns, or get scrappy with direct outreach. Hitting consistent income milestones will give you the confidence—and cash flow—you need to move forward.

Have a great week, and chat next Monday!

Victoria