Welcome to another episode of Your Personal Branding Podcast. Bernard Kelvin Clive here. Today, I have a special guest with me — Loren Nelson. Loren, welcome to the show!



Loren:Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.



BKC:Let’s dive right in. We often talk about personal branding, digital marketing, and all things in between. From your perspective, what is personal branding really all about?



Loren:For me, personal branding is tied to self-worth. It’s about knowing who you are — being self-aware enough to show up in the world as your authentic self. That’s where true authenticity lies: in self-knowledge and the courage to be seen clearly by others.



BKC:I love that. Many people begin their personal branding journeys by jumping on digital platforms — LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok — and putting out great profile pictures, fancy bios, and avatars. While that’s common, I often have issues with that approach. You mentioned something critical: self-awareness is the starting point.So let’s go there — how does one begin building personal self-awareness as a foundation for branding? How do I get to know myself and then build a brand in the right direction?



Loren:That’s such an important question. First, we need to understand that becoming self-aware is a process. It’s not instant. It often involves unlearning things we’ve been taught since childhood — beliefs, expectations, behaviors.



A lot of people think personal branding happens overnight: “By tomorrow, I’ll have this amazing brand.” But the truth is, it takes time and deep reflection. We need to look at how our experiences have shaped us — how certain situations formed our character and values.



One way I’ve developed my own personal brand is through journaling. I reflect on past experiences, how they’ve impacted my worldview, how I show up, and the kind of impact I want to create. Journaling has been a key tool for me — and I’d highly recommend it to anyone on this journey.



BKC:Let’s talk more about journaling. Someone listening might say, “Loren, journaling sounds hard. I’m not trying to write a book or script my life!” They may also worry about oversharing. What would you say to someone who finds journaling intimidating? How can they start — and use it to grow while also bringing their audience along on their journey?



Loren:I completely understand that concern. Personal branding isn’t about telling the world everything about you. It’s not about exposing yourself. It’s about clarity and relevance.



You start by getting clear on the industry or space you want to be known in. Then, ask yourself: What experiences or lessons have I learned that are relevant to this space?



Deep introspection is great for personal growth, but when sharing publicly, you only need to share what adds value and builds credibility within your niche.



Here’s how I approach it: Imagine you’re preparing for a job interview. You’d list the skills, experiences, and achievements that are relevant to the role. Do the same for your personal brand — list experiences that reflect your credibility and give you authority to speak in your space.



And yes, that includes moments of failure or hurt — those are powerful when framed as lessons. Write them down. Reflect on the stories behind them. Go deep.



Most people shy away from depth because it’s uncomfortable. And in a world of short attention spans, it feels easier to stay surface-level. But depth is where the real connection happens. If you want to build a strong personal brand, it’s absolutely worth the effort.



So,