When was the last time you shared your personal story? Have you ever considered how your unique experiences shape not only your identity but how others perceive you in both life and business?
Sharon Robustelli joined us on episode 39 of Unlocking the Club to discuss the power of storytelling and personal branding.
As a marketing and branding expert, Sharon has spent years helping individuals and businesses craft narratives that resonate with their audiences. Together, we explored what it means to use storytelling as a powerful tool for authenticity and personal growth.
Owning Your Story
Today, Sharon is recognized as a leader in personal branding, and she has built a career by guiding others in finding their authentic voice. Her journey, however, wasn’t always linear.
Sharon emphasizes that it wasn’t until she embraced her own story—complete with its ups and downs—that she found true success. She has turned personal experiences into a narrative that not only reflects her identity but also builds lasting connections with others.
But Sharon didn’t achieve this overnight. In her words, building a personal brand requires patience, introspection, and above all, authenticity. “People can spot inauthenticity a mile away,” she shared.
This authenticity has allowed Sharon to not only create a successful personal brand but also help others do the same by teaching them to own their stories and live in alignment with their true selves.
Through her insights, Sharon provided a few actionable steps to unlocking the power of storytelling:
- Understand your audience: Tailor your narrative to those you want to reach.
- Own your entire story: Even the challenging parts of your journey can be the most compelling.
- Be intentional with your message: Authenticity means sharing your truth while being strategic in how it’s communicated.
Sharon’s story illustrates how storytelling is not just a marketing tool; it’s a way to connect with others on a deeper level. Her openness has helped her build meaningful relationships in both her personal life and professional career.
Building a Strong Personal Brand
At the core of Sharon’s approach to storytelling is the idea of personal branding. For her, creating a strong brand goes hand-in-hand with telling an authentic story. It’s about knowing your values, understanding your purpose, and staying consistent across all aspects of your life.
While discussing the steps to build a lasting personal brand, Sharon emphasized three key components:
- Clarity on your values: Define what you stand for before communicating it to others.
- Consistency in your message: From social media to professional interactions, ensure that your brand is consistent to build trust.
- Visibility matters: It’s not enough to have a compelling story—people need to hear it. Sharon shared tips for increasing visibility, whether through social media or networking.
One of Sharon’s biggest takeaways is the importance of aligning your brand with your true self. “Your story is your power,” she reminds us. It’s not about creating a false image or telling people what they want to hear. It’s about presenting your authentic self, which naturally attracts opportunities and opens doors.
Fiercely Protecting Your Time
Like many professionals, Sharon has learned the importance of fiercely guarding her time and energy. As her career advanced, the demands on her time increased, and she had to become more discerning about where she focused her efforts.
“Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should,” she reflected. In a world that demands constant content creation and brand visibility, Sharon has learned to focus on the projects and opportunities that align with her values and personal brand. By fiercely protecting her time, she ensures that her energy is spent on what truly matters to her growth and the development of her brand.
Here are a few ways Sharon recommends protecting your time and energy:
- Define your priorities: Know what’s most important to your brand and your goals, and focus your time there.
- Learn to say no: It’s essential to avoid spreading yourself too thin by taking on projects that don’t serve your long-term vision.
- Stay consistent: As with storytelling, consistency in how you manage your time builds trust and reliability in your brand.
Navigating Career and Personal Identity
Sharon’s professional journey has been filled with transitions, and through it all, she has relied on her personal story to guide her. From navigating career shifts to taking on new challenges in her personal life, Sharon has used storytelling as a tool to remain authentic and true to herself. She has found that owning her narrative gives her the power to influence how others perceive her and opens up new opportunities for growth.
But Sharon also reminds us that it’s important to remain vigilant about who gets to tell your story. “Don’t let others rewrite your narrative,” she advises. As women—especially women of color—navigating the corporate world, it’s crucial to take control of how our stories are told. True power comes from owning your narrative and staying grounded in your authenticity.
Final Thoughts
Sharon Robustelli’s approach to storytelling and personal branding offers valuable insights into how we can use our unique experiences to build strong, lasting personal brands. By staying true to our stories, fiercely guarding our time, and remaining consistent in our messaging, we can unlock the power of storytelling to drive both personal and professional success.
Listen to episode 39 of Unlocking the Club to hear more from Sharon about how to craft an authentic narrative and build a personal brand that resonates.