The Network for Black Women Leaders (NBWL) recently hosted an insightful Bitesize Session on the power of personal branding, led by Collette Philip, a seasoned brand strategist and founder of Brand by Me. Collette’s expertise spans over two decades in marketing and advertising, and she’s also co-founder of Join Our Table—a community dedicated to Black women in the creative industries. Throughout this session, Collette explored how Black women can harness authenticity, purpose, and intentionality to build personal brands that not only elevate their careers but also stay true to who they are.

Personal Brand as a Unique Superpower

Collette began by demystifying personal branding, describing it as ‘a way to capture who you are, what you stand for, and how you show up in the world.’ Rather than simply being a curated online persona, personal branding, she stressed, is about consistency in how you present yourself across every interaction—online and offline. Collette urged attendees to see their personal brand as a unique superpower, your unique selling point—something distinctly yours that can’t be replicated.

"Your personal brand is your unique superpower. It’s not about creating an image; it’s about amplifying who you truly are and showing up as that person, unapologetically."

Collette’s advice comes from a place of lived experience. She highlighted the importance of embracing one’s own strengths, particularly in professional environments that may not always recognise or value Black women’s individuality and perspectives. Building a personal brand, she explained, is about leveraging these unique attributes and unapologetically taking up space.

Crafting a Purpose-Driven Brand

A recurring theme in the session was the importance of aligning one’s brand with a clear purpose. For Collette, her purpose is deeply tied to tackling inequity and advancing justice, a drive that shapes both her consultancy and her leadership within the community. She shared how understanding this purpose enables her to stay grounded, even in the face of obstacles, and provides a guiding framework for making career and personal decisions. Collette encouraged attendees to reflect on their own purpose and consider what they want their brand to achieve, urging them to be intentional about how they present themselves to the world.

Values and Personality: The Foundation of Authenticity

Collette outlined the four core elements of a strong personal brand: purpose, vision, values, and personality. Each of these, she explained, plays an essential role in defining one’s unique identity. Values, in particular, act as a moral compass, shaping how one interacts with others and navigates challenges. Collette led attendees through a reflective exercise to identify their core values, explaining that these values should act as “non-negotiable principles” that guide both professional and personal choices.

She also encouraged participants to embrace their personality—another crucial component of authenticity. Collette shared how her own personality, which is known for being direct and honest, has become a key feature of her brand. Although these traits haven’t always been appreciated in every professional environment, Collette has learned to see them as strengths, not weaknesses, and integrates them proudly into her work and leadership style.

"Values are the foundation of your personal brand—they’re your non-negotiables. When you’re clear on what you stand for, it shows in everything you do, and that’s what makes your brand authentic."

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Collette left the group with some actionable advice for those beginning their personal brand journey. One of the most important steps, she advised, is to embrace a mindset of continuous self-reflection. As individuals evolve, so does their brand, and being open to growth and change is essential. She also recommended a practical exercise from her ebook, which guides readers through defining their purpose, values, and how to bring their brand to life in their daily actions.

Collette’s session resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting that personal branding is not about creating an image, but about amplifying one’s authentic self. In a world where Black women’s voices are often marginalised, building a personal brand is a powerful way to assert identity, values, and purpose.

By the end of the session, participants felt empowered to define and refine their personal brands with greater confidence, armed with Collette’s insights and encouragement. For those ready to continue this journey, the Network for Black Women Leaders provides a supportive network where Black Women can connect, share experiences, and grow together. Register to attend some of our upcoming events, and be sure to join the  NBWL Mailing List.