In the thick of 2008/2009 — the market in freefall, massive layoffs, and a whole lot of fear — I started noticing something.
My inbox and voicemail were flooded with messages from industry peers asking to “grab coffee” or “catch up over lunch.” These weren’t casual check-ins. They were quiet SOS signals from people who had suddenly found themselves unemployed. And as I sat with their stories, each one filled with uncertainty, I felt deep empathy for them… and a wave of realization for myself.
I kept thinking: If this could happen to them, it could happen to me.
I had been heads-down, working hard, delivering results. But I hadn’t spent much time building my brand, my voice, or my visibility. And right there, in the middle of the Great Recession, I asked myself a question that changed the trajectory of my career:
What if I made my job work for me, instead of me working for my job?
“Gasp 😲,” you think, “Don’t say that out loud!”
But hang with me for a second…
That question sparked a new level of intention. A creative pivot. A mindset shift that moved me from maintenance mode to momentum.
I stopped seeing my job as a fixed set of responsibilities and started seeing it as a platform. A space where I could innovate, build, and experiment.
That same year, right in the middle of economic chaos, I launched a bi-weekly webinar series (way before webinars were a mainstay). I helped build a program for elite advisors. I jumped into volunteering for several industry associations, connecting with people eager to shape what’s next, not just survive what’s now. And I began experimenting with my personal brand.
That time wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. And honestly? It was fun. When I stepped into my voice and allowed myself to build something bigger, I unlocked a new layer of creativity and energy. The best part? My job became energizing again.
And? That personal work I was doing? It absolutely benefited the company I worked for!!
Fast-forward to 2010. There was a reorganization. I was laid off. 🙁 But within six weeks, I had four solid job offers and a fifth in the works — career-changing offers.
What’s keeping you stuck?
Maybe today, your job feels like it owns you. Like you’re showing up, doing the work, hitting your numbers — but something still feels…flat.
Maybe you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to focus on your voice or your presence, or you’ve been quietly telling yourself that personal branding is just awkward self-promotion.
Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that head down and hard work is the safest place to be — even if it’s also the place where you feel the most invisible.
I know…that space is familiar. It can feel safe. But it’s not where you grow. And it’s definitely not where your work impact lives.
Let me offer this reframe:
- Your personal brand isn’t a vanity project. It’s your career insurance policy.
- It’s not about being loud. It’s about being clear.
- It’s not about selling yourself. It’s about showing up fully — at work, in the room, and maybe even in the industry.
You deserve more than checking boxes. You deserve to make it matter.
Ready to flip your script?
If you’re ready to turn your job into a joyful, purpose-filled platform, join us at SWAY | LIVE 25.
You’ll be surrounded by people who are done playing small. Curious, collaborative professionals who are brave enough to build careers that are both deeply personal and powerfully professional.
Let’s make work work for you.
A Note to Leaders
If you’re leading a team, this conversation isn’t just about you — it’s also about them.
When you invest in your own personal brand, you give your team permission to do the same. And when your team shows up with clarity and authenticity, they don’t just elevate themselves—they amplify your entire organization.
In fact, employees who share their personal perspectives can amplify your company’s message by over 500% compared to brand channels. (Forbes)
That’s not just reach — that’s resonance.
If you want to lead a team that doesn’t just do the work but makes it matter — bring them to with you, and:
Join us at SWAY | LIVE 25 and amplify your voices together. There’s even a very cool team discount.