I have a really amazing new client...Maryellen Cooke of Yoga Cowgirls. Maryellen is an amazing person who has several interests and talents that could be developed into products or services for a business. She is eager to start her venture and we are crafting a business plan even as we speak.
Usually, I work with larger groups to create/update business plans and strategic plans. When I have worked with individuals in the past, it has been around a specific product or venture. With Yoga Cowgirls and Maryellen, it is a very different experience. While she does have a couple of specific products, she also has tremendous potential to create a "product" from her lifestyle...
One of my favorite, and probably the most successful, lifestyle mavens is Martha Stewart. Say what you will, her brand is solid. The Martha Stewart brand is resilient and a consistent money maker, with a huge following. Go Martha!
Creating a lifestyle brand is a deliberate, strategic effort, or at least it should be. Thinking about the difference between who YOU are and what your lifestyle BRAND is, then deliberately crafting that brand is critical. This is not the time to simply put your home life on display. In fact, I am not sure WHEN that time would be...
This lifestyle or personal brand is created by identifying your passions and interests, then using your "life" as a vehicle for distribution. And again, "life" is an intentionally created public brand...not sharing the color of your underwear.
We will talk more about Maryellen and Yoga Cowgirls as we build her plan and business. But, I would encourage you all to think about your personal brand. What are you sharing with the public? Is it intentional and restrained or are you sharing your arguments with your spouse on Twitter? Your personal brand is your unique contribution to the world...it is up to you to determine the effect it will have on your life and the life of others.