Part 3 of 4

Think about the last time you hired a professional. You took your car to the repair shop to deal with that mystery warning light. You handed your taxes over to your accountant so you can pay the least amount necessary and get them filed on time. You decided to splurge with your hairstylist instead of buying the box of Clairol color from the drug store.

And why? Probably for multiple reasons, but mainly to feel confident you're getting the right solution and to make that solution easy. Sure, you could watch a few YouTube videos and Macgyver your own solution. My husband is the king of fixing things via YouTube. He's fantastic, saves us money, and he genuinely enjoys it, but even he has a few limits!

Several years ago I hired a personal stylist because I wanted to attend more networking events. My years as a freelancer who was primarily a stay-at-home mom with a body that had morphed (as they should post-baby) left me feeling super insecure. The benefits of that investment with her are still paying off. Believe me, I'm no fashionista and, despite my gender, I hate shopping. I like comfort and warmth and have never been very interested in style. So when someone tells me what looks good on me, how to make use of what's already in my closet, what to toss, what to get tailored, and provides a shopping list, honey, I'm in.

In short, one afternoon and a few emails later, I had the confidence and ease to show up at more events feeling good in my body, embracing my own unique style, and not trying on ten outfits before I could walk out the door.

And I'm still benefitting because upleveling with a professional is worth it, whether it's a personal stylist or a brand specialist.

Here are 8 benefits I had from working with a professional stylist:

1. She considered my lifestyle, preferences, and tastes and helped me figure out my own style instead of making me look like everyone else.

2. She broke down my wardrobe into foundation pieces that stand the test of time while still allowing for trendier items to keep things fresh.

3. I feel pulled together and totally appropriate for each occasion, whether it's a casual coffee date or a formal business event.

4. Getting dressed in the morning is quick and effortless. Hallelujah.

5. She taught me the little outfit tweaks that will "amplify my assets" like cuffing my jeans, belting a dress, or how to style grandma's scarf that I really love but have no idea what to do with.

6. She helped me understand that there's nothing wrong with my shape and alterations are a girl's best friend, so stop expecting everything to fit "off the rack."

7. I now have a flexible wardrobe with colors, patterns, and textures that work together so I can mix and match without second guessing or wasting time. And I have a handy guidebook and photos for reference.

8. Best of all, I'm confident that I can look my best and still feel like ME!

In case you didn't catch the parallels, hiring a professional brand designer is a lot like hiring a personal stylist.

Brand confidence from working with a pro feels like this:

• Your brand is first and foremost a reflection of you and your audience.

• Because of this, your business naturally stands out and is memorable without you having to try so hard.

• It contains a wide range of elements to build brand consistency while still keeping things fresh.

• You have clear brand guidelines so creating new content is quick and painless.

• You know what elements go where and what colors to combine for ease and legibility.

• If you want to use an "off the rack" template from Canva to create new content, you know how to alter it with your own brand style so it's uniquely yours.

• You show up confidently and aren't afraid of visibility, knowing your brand looks and feels like you.

Doesn't that feel better than hiding in brand shame? Putting in the intention and effort up front is the secret to a brand that looks effortless and lasts you for years. You can try to do it on your own, but you probably don't have the insider knowledge or the nuance and details that come with decades of experience. It's the sweet spot between knowing the rules and knowing when to break them. 😉

What you do have is intimate knowledge of your business and your audience, and that's where the gold is for designing a brand that makes you money.

Next week I'll share a simple Brand Confidence Assessment tool so you can evaluate if you're hiding in brand shame or confidently stepping out to be more visible and more profitable. And if you missed the previous articles, here's Part 1 and Part 2.

If you're ready to feel more confident in your brand and highlight all your assets, reach out and book a free call. I can't wait to help you show up with more consistency and ease. ☺️