The 5-Step Framework for Launching Your Brand | Ep #1

In the first episode of "Authentic Media," Danielle reflects on her personal experiences and spiritual revelations that have led to the creation of this platform. With a focus on faith, sincerity, and growth, the episode sets the stage for transformative content aimed at helping listeners develop their own authentic brands.

Learn more about the Podcast Blueprint.

Chapters:
0:00 - A Word for You
5:29 - Welcome!
7:10 - What is the story you’re not telling?
16:55 - The Framework for Launching an Authentic Brand
20:44 - The Podcast Blueprint
21:35 - 1. Discover Your CORE
22:24 - 2. Take Time to Find Clarity
24:59 - 3. Take Ownership of Your Voice
27:17 - 4. Think About Your Reputation
30:50 - 5. Execute Everything You Set Your Mind To
33:14 - Implementing the Framework

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection
• 2:25 The Power of Saying Yes
• 4:59 Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity
• 5:32 Welcome to Authentic Media Podcast
• 7:10 Discovering Your Core and Purpose
• 16:56 Launching Your Authentic Brand
• 35:03 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Transcript

Goodbye, yesterday. I'm living in the light of a new day. Okay, I'm not even gonna try to sing on here, because you know I can't, but I wanted to just take this moment because I don't want to forget it. I usually like record or like, I will make a note of something that the Lord speaks to me. And this was something that was truly on my heart that I said, I cannot forget this day.

And so, first of all, you are about to tune in to the most historical, empowering, impactful podcast right now. I'm about to cry. Um, the Lord has been working on me and He has been doing something in me that I cannot explain. You just have to experience it with me. And so the word that I got today. was that this is not just a podcast.

Lives are about to be transformed. Lives are about to be healed. People are about to be seen, heard, and healed. And so, this has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with you. And so I'm inviting you in to some intimate moments of my life that I really believe that I was called to share with you because I've learned that your life is not fully about you.

It's about the people you serve. And so as I was thinking about you and the people that are going to be tuning into this episode, um, and episodes to come. I was like, okay, Lord, like, what do you want me to fully share? Cause I was going to come on here and really just give a cliche. This is what's going on, but you're about to be really like listening to the most vulnerable moments of my life.

And I just, I share them with you because I want you to know that like, you're not alone. He has reminded me time and time again, that I will never leave you nor forsake you. You guys, just trust me. I am a living, living example of how beautiful the Lord is and what He can do for you by just saying yes. So I also want to share something else, and that is like the other day, my friend told me that you should truly feel honored where God has you because Typically, like nine times out of ten, as believers, sometimes we withdraw or hold back by not saying yes.

Yes to the full calling because when you say yes to the full calling it requires Sacrifice and shedding and it just requires so much of you like you just really don't know what you're saying Yes to you. And so she said that there's other people that are living in Complacency and comfort and they're not fully allowing God to use them because they're staying in their comfort zone And so I said wow Like, I never thought about it like that.

And so, when I say, saying yes to the calling is like, it sounds good and it feels good, but, yeah, there's times of trials and tribulations, and you're like, how long is this wilderness? Right? But in the wilderness is where he shows you vision and he, he gives you clarity. He gives you so much peace and understanding that you are probably searching for, but you don't know how to get there.

And so I really was going to like put on makeup and like do this whole video and I said, okay, no, we're not doing this because we are taking down the. Performance and perfectionism and I'm fully showing you and walking this out with you and just sharing with you that like, hey, as soon as you get a word, write it down, right?

Um, and if you are called to share it, share it. And so I'm just saying all this to say that I'm here to just let you know that you hold a very important piece to all of this. And your support and your trust in this platform is going to truly transform the world. And so, I just want to say thank you in advance.

And I kept saying that earlier. I was like, God, thank you in advance. Thank you in advance. Thank you in advance. And I'm like, oh, I need to be thanking the people. Because you're really going to help put this podcast and this platform on a different level. And he said, authentic media and whatever the name, the name might change, who knows, but like, wherever it's, it's going to go, all I hear And I just said, okay, so I just want to thank you in advance.

Okay. So buckle up, buckle up, honey, because there are going to be some people that are coming on here and we're just going to give it to you. Raw, real, and authentic. And so in all, I just want to say thank you for listening. Thank you for tuning in and let's tune in to today's episode.

Welcome in, you guys. This is the first episode of authentic media podcast. Yeah, we're doing it. Welcome in. What's going on? I know you're like, girl, you're in a new space. Yes. Isn't it beautiful? Shout out to God for everything because yeah, he's been just doing it. Like he has been working and moving and doing all the things.

And so I just honestly have like him to thank for that. Um, Um, definitely just want to give like a disclaimer. Okay. Your girl is definitely, um, showing you the real side of everything. So you may just see my dog just like running around here. Just ignore him. Okay. Just like he's here. He's trying to get his moment.

I keep telling him it's not the time. It's not the time, but anyways, you guys. Okay. So yeah, we have so much to catch up on. Hello. How are you? Welcome in. I'm super excited for this new space because it's a beautiful one. And I'm truly honored to be given this space and this platform to, um, just share what has been in my heart and the transition of it all.

Let me just tell you, there has been, um, some interesting. Things going on behind the scenes, but besides all that, like the content that's going to be hitting your timeline I'm telling you brace yourselves because when I say that it's just been a huge Transformation like it's nothing but God and I'm super excited to be able to just share it with you and just Tell you how amazing he is and how when you just are still That's when he's going to speak the most.

So today I want to talk to you about the one question that has been brewing my mind lately and how it's truly going to help you transform not only your life, but your business, your career, anything you are called to, you will be transformed by the message today. Okay? So go ahead and grab your notepad and your pen, because I'm already just going to forewarn you that you're going to have some notes that you're going to be taken from this episode.

Okay? Okay. Super excited to get into it. But the number one question that has been, um, really coming up and it honestly started when I was kind of going through this transition of this whole rebrand. And I know majority of you are like, what, like, how did this all transpire? So I think over time, you're going to slowly hear a little bit of that.

And so what I want to first start this episode with is asking you a question and that is, What is the story you are not telling? That's where we're starting today. Yes. We're just diving deep. Okay. We don't have time to get through the surface stuff. Like we're just going to dive deep and I'm just going to ask you like, what is the story you are not telling?

And so when I first got asked this question, I was a little like, Like, what do you mean? Like, I'm an open book. Like, I tell everything. Like, you, there's nothing that you cannot, like, know about me, and I always say that, like, literally an open book by, like, going to my Instagram and just, like, seeing, okay, like, Everything's there.

Like, what is there not to, like, know about me, right? Until this person that I was talking to was like, No, I want you to, like, dive deeper. And so, as I started to think about the story I'm not telling, I was like, Huh. Well, clearly it's like a little personal and I'm not going to just like, you know, obviously share every little detail, but I think that there are pieces of it that can truly bless you.

And like, I just want to, first of all, like set the foundation. Right. And so one of the things is that like many people know me for, you know, the things I used to do, right. Which is like, you know, former news anchor person who was, you know, Always in the community, um, fitness fanatic, a person who is like, you know, hosting women events, TV hosting, podcasting, right?

Like you can go on the timeline, you can see all those things. But like, I think as I'm moving forward, I don't really want to be known for the things that I do. Do I want to truly be known for like who I am? And so that first and foremost is like the one thing I want you to truly know about me Is that I am a believer in Christ Jesus.

Okay, and I am a firm believer in like everything happens For you, not against you. And God is always speaking. And I truly believe that each of us were called to share the gospel in our own unique and creative ways. Right? And so one of the things that I have truly discovered and fully understood about God is that he is a creator.

And so if he's a creator, you are creator, we're all creators. And so we're all here to share the gospel in our own unique way. Like how beautiful is that? Right. And so saying that to say, like, you can have the whole, like, resume of who I am, but at the end of the day, that does not truly describe, like, who I am.

Okay. And so I know there are also other questions about, like, you know, how are you doing this, like, side gig, side hustle, whatever you want to call it. Right. And still doing a full time job in a relationship and a friendship. And so, And, you know, being active in the community and honey, I was honestly asking myself the same thing.

And I think like down the road in this podcast, you're in it, like everything's going to come together. Basically, like you're going to hear from all different sides of where I was, where I'm going. But most importantly, this is truly a platform to help you and really, honestly, like put the mirror on you.

And I just want to be a positive reflection towards your life to truly, like, just kind of like check in and say, Hey friend, are you exactly where God wants you to be? Are you doing the things that you were called to do? Are you aligned with where you're supposed to be going? Right? Like that is the whole, reason for this platform and for this podcast, okay, is to truly help you develop an authentic brand.

And so how I got called to this place was I was confronted and truly convicted with all of the things that were not of me and part of me. And it's interesting because now I understand why I'm doing this. I'm here at this space and here to share with you just the whole essence of creating an authentic brand.

Now branding can be honestly referred to as many different things, whether it's business or whether it's you as an individual, I just truly simply identify branding as your reputation. And so going back to, are you truly showing up in the ways that you want to be represented? Are people referring to you in the way that you want to be?

To be known as right. And so it's just interesting. It's all like full circle. Okay. So in this podcast, I just want to kick things off with, first of all, just sharing the foundation of like who I am, what you can expect. over the series of these episodes that are going to be coming to your airwaves, like what you can expect.

And just a little few tips on truly creating an authentic brand and what that truly means. So when we dive into like the full scope of things that you're like, just not thrown off guard, right? Because essentially like your brand is truly everything. It's how you're representing yourself. It's how you're showing up.

It's how you are dressing. It's how you're communicating. Your brand is everything that you are, everything that you do. And so when I realized that that was, Ooh, like that's an area that many of us are currently struggling in right now. We are essentially showing up in spaces and online as representatives.

We're showing up as. people that we were told to be, people that we, um, admire to be. And it's like essentially not who we are, right? And so if you recognize that maybe your business in your life is not scaling to the level that you want it to be, it's because there's something in you that's keeping you from truly Connecting with that person, connecting with that business partner.

There's something in you that's truly not able to attract the things that you are truly searching for. And so I think that like, you have to be honest about that by addressing the elephant in the room and what is the elephant, it's the thing that you're avoiding, it's the wound that you're trying to cover up, right?

Like it's multiple things that you are trying to. avoid essentially. So if you're wondering, like, okay, Danielle, I know part of branding and understanding branding is also understanding like who you are at your core, which starts with your purpose. Now, I want to be careful because I know that there is a variety of people listening to this small business owners, entrepreneurs, believers, nonbelievers, there's just a variety of people.

So I want to also speak to the people who do not know their purpose, okay? Like, I think there's a huge crowd out there that are pretending like they know by doing things that they're told to do or they are just in a job or career and they are just essentially just maneuvering through life. And they just don't know where they're going.

I want to speak to you and say, Hey, like, it's okay. You don't have to have it all figured out right now. You're not going to, and you can like take as long as you need. But all I just ask you is that you come back to this space. You listen to what we have coming towards you, because I promise you, it's going to speak to your purpose.

It's going to get you. on the path. It's going to get you in front of the person, lead you to a resource. Like this is going to be the most informative podcast that you could probably listen to. And so I just want to just, first of all, say thank you for listening and thank you for, um, taking time to be here.

Okay, and all I also ask is that you just take what you hear today and every podcast that's coming towards you. You take it, you take time, you be still with it, reach out if you have questions, okay? I am one of those people that respond to people, okay? And so, um, yeah, reach out. Like, don't think that you have to do this life alone.

You're not meant to. Like, God has created us to be to do this life together, all right? So, just wanted to put that disclaimer out there because I know there are some people that are not able to move forward. They're not able to truly understand maybe certain languages because, and when I mean languages, I'm not talking about like, English and Spanish.

Like that's not what I'm speaking about. I'm just, I'm talking about there is a different language when you know your purpose. And yeah, I just want you to know that you're not alone. Like you're going to be okay. Okay. So today's episode is all about giving you a framework that will help you launch an authentic brand today.

That's right. I'm going to teach you how to get started in doing your brand, your personal brand that is. Today. So like I said, grab that pen and paper. Okay. I'm super excited to share this framework with you. I've been working on this and I've been like, just super excited about how you're now going to be able to have it.

And not only just use it like one time, like this framework is a daily. routine. It's a daily thing. Okay. And so I'm going to just kind of speak from it, from like a high level point of view. And then over time in the next couple of episodes, like we will essentially be talking about each pillar of the framework in a way.

So let's see if you're really like paying attention. But before we go there, I really want to share the word. So one of the things that you guys are going to be seeing a lot, um, pieces of me is I'm going to be definitely sharing a word on here at least once, right? Like whether it's sharing what's on my heart or like sharing, um, just what the Lord has called me to read to you today.

Like I'm definitely going to be just. So obedient in that space and just do that. Okay, so today's reading is in Galatians one in 10, and it reads that obviously I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God, if pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. So in all. You guys, when I was thinking about the word that could, um, really align with what the Lord has been revealing in me, number one has been people pleasing, okay?

And when I say that we are in a society where we are trying to just show up for everyone, we're trying to be like pleasing to the world, pleasing to man. When I mean, man, I mean like someone that's not God. Okay. And when the word says that when you're trying to win approval over other people, but not God himself, that you are truly not, you're not walking in the path that God wants you to be.

Let's just say it like that. So. Essentially, when you are operating in your brand, when you are doing your brand, are you trying to win people over to please them, to get a sale, to try to like make some money, right? Like, are you in that space? And if you're truly like not in your authentic space, it's because you are not being real and authentic.

And who you are as a person is naturally going to attract who you are called to serve. I truly believe that. And so when I recognize, especially earlier this year. When I was doing all of these things and I was like trying to, you know, do a podcast course, trying to do a full time job, trying to do this and that.

And it was like, I was exhausted and truly I couldn't connect with the right people because I was not connecting with him one, but I was really not connecting with myself. And I think that when you are trying to operate and work and perform from a space that is not authentic and You are now trying to think about other people and please other people.

You're going to be exhausted. You're going to lose. So it's like, honey, let's, let's get to the framework. Okay. And how you can make sure you're not doing that. Hey there. Quick question for you. Have you ever thought to yourself, you want to launch a podcast, but you think the podcasting industry is over.

Over saturated. Well, you're right. But did you know that the podcasting industry is worth over 37 billion? So if you don't have a podcast right now, honey, you are leaving money on the table. Having a podcast is the perfect opportunity to showcase your expertise. Connect with your ideal clients and elevate your brand and your business.

This is why I created the podcast blueprint. In just seven days, you'll learn how to launch a podcast from scratch. That's right. In just seven days, you'll be able to go live. So if you're interested, go ahead and find that link down below. In the meantime, let's get back to today's episode. So number one.

Discover your core. So if you're listening carefully, we're going to really like break down this word core and you're going to hear me talk about it multiple times, but that is really like, number one, like find yourself. Are you taking time to yourself? Let's say on a daily basis. Is it in the morning? Is it in the evening?

Is 30 minutes in a day, right? Like how are you taking time for yourself? And so I think you have to really like make that a priority and not try to skip out on it. Coming from a person who was operating on 10, like a hundred percent, like, honey, it's not healthy. Like you have to take time for yourself. So discover what that looks like.

Discovering that looks like. Actually being still, it's actually figuring out what you don't like, what you do like, right? So discover what that looks like. Point number two, take time to yourself because that's going to actually lead you to clarity. So it just really goes back to my point. Number one, but I hear all the time from my good friend and my coach, Anthony Blanco, he says, to take time to find clarity, because clarity leads to confidence.

And so when you're not clear, you're just like moving in a daze. You're just like, you know, out here just maneuvering and like, yeah, it's exhausting. So truly like, ask yourself, am I doing the things that serve me or that serve people? Now, I truly believe that your purpose is called to serve people, but if it's, if you are in a space where you are truly people pleasing and you're not taking time to yourself, because I truly believe that God gives you rest and your purpose will find rest for you and you're not going to be like operating on 10, 100, like 24, seven, like, it's just not something that is like feasible.

Right. So, so be careful in receiving what I'm saying, because yes, your purpose is called to serve people, but you are not, God would not basically put you in a space where you're at the extent of losing yourself. Right. So take time to truly identify. Hey, okay, what are my steps this week? What does my, like, my week look like this week?

And how can I show up in each space being intentional? And how is this going to lead to get me on the path to where God wants me to be? Right? But clarity comes with being still, um, no longer saying yes to things that are at the extent of when you are exhausted. Okay. That means not going to meetings all the time, not saying yes to projects at work, sometimes not hanging out with friends.

Like you can say, Hey, I will catch you next time. Because rest is actually the most productive thing that you can do. It is like, it's, it's a, it's, it's a balance a little bit. And I want to be careful when I say that too, like it's a balance, but then there's like, there's basically time to work, there's time to rest.

And that's also in Ecclesiastes where there's a season for everything. Right. So like just understanding your season, but point number two is like finding time to yourself. So you can know like the road that you're supposed to go and you can like create some clarity in your life. Okay. Point number three, take.

Ownership of your voice when you are surrounding yourself. One of the things that I learned recently was if you are surrounding yourself with so many voices, you are not going to be able to hear the voice of God yourself. And It will be so dysfunctional to, and I hate to say that word, but like, it's going to be so like dysfunctional, um, disorganized to truly understand like where you're trying to go, because you are listening to so many voices, going back to the word that we talked about today, if you are trying to please so many other people, you could not understand what yourself wants.

If your body is like, I need rest. Like I, I am calling you to rest right now so you can be recharged for the next day. You have to listen to that. Right. But most importantly, I've learned that people pleasing will destroy you because you are going to be suffering from worldliness. And so I truly believe that God wants you to get to a space where you can hear him so he can lead you, and he should be the author and the leader of your life.

But when you are moving according to man, and if you're moving according to what other people are telling you to do and saying, hey, you need to come to this thing, you need to come to that thing, you are going to be losing your voice. I didn't recognize that I was losing my voice until I got to a space where I was literally calling my friends and my partner for everything.

And I was like, what do you think? What do you think? If you're in the space of like, what do you think? What do you think? What do you think? And you're not asking yourself in God first, like that is a space where you're not taking ownership of. of your voice. Take some time, get clear, figure out what you like, figure out what you don't like, like truly ask yourself, Hey, check in with yourself before you ask anyone else.

And so I think that was a space that I had to learn that like, dang, I need to like, get my voice back. I need to like, just, Before I even make a decision, be still for 24 hours. Think about it because I truly believe that like your feelings are just going to be up and down. So take time. Like truly take some time.

Okay. So as we're continuing the framework of trying to figure out who you are at your core, another point that I would mention is think about your reputation. What are people saying about you? Are you happy with what people are saying about you? And if not, then I would definitely. Do a character check and a character check just essentially just looks like you spending time with yourself Like you guys are gonna keep hearing me saying that and I'm saying that because it's like the most Peaceful and healing thing that you could do and I'm saying that from a person who One of my friends was like telling me, Danielle, like you need to just be still.

You need to spend time with yourself. You got to figure out like, and I'm like, uh, yeah, like I hear you. Right. It's like one of those things where you're like, I hear you, but I don't hear you. And I don't want to hear you right now, but now I'm going to be that friend towards you. That is essentially saying, like, yeah, you need to think about, are you happy with your current reputation?

And if not, honey, it's time for a character check. It's time to, like, figure out, like, okay, if this is not what you want to be known for, Then evaluate yourself, look at yourself in the mirror, and really identify like, okay, there are pieces of me that still need healing. There are pieces of me that are not, um, fully clear on certain areas, and that's okay.

But It's asking yourself, like, okay, when was the last time that you had your closest friends, people you actually trust, people that you actually care about to tell you about yourself? Like, hey friend, if you could give me a scale of one to 10 of where I'm at, where would you put me? And having that dialogue and having that question, I think sometimes like we're so afraid to like hear feedback about ourselves because like, we're just like, I got it all together.

Honey, no, you do not. Like you want to have friends who are challenging you, who are pushing you, who are saying like, Hey, like, yes, like let's continue to grow. Right. And so I truly believe, and I'm so grateful for the friends that I have, because honey, we're always pushing each other. We're always like in this growth mindset.

Like, are we where we said we wanted to be last year? And if not, what's going on. Right. So. Evaluating your reputation, and I think the biggest thing you could do Is this might be a little difficult for some not saying you have to do this, but if you truly want that feedback, I would ask maybe like, if you're serving on a board, if you are in the community and you're active like that, if you're in a career in a corporate America job and you have people that you work with on a daily basis and.

Like I said, I would be very careful not receive every word that they say, but like, I would just truly ask like, Hey, like, what do you think of how I've been representing myself lately? Right? Like really ask that question. So I think that hearing feedback is truly important because I think that this is helpful to keep you accountable.

Right? And, and like I said, there's nothing wrong with having people share feedback with you. You need to hear it because if not, you're not growing. And so that's where thinking about your reputation, evaluating it with people. This is kind of like a partnership thing. You're going to need some people to help you figure this out.

So. Thinking about that. Is it where you want it to be? And if not, how can we get you on track? Okay. Last point, execute everything you set your mind to and do it anyway. So when you're thinking about all of the things that you have set out in your career, in your business, in your relationship, do it anyway, my friend.

Okay. Because my thing is I have this motto. It is, do it ugly, right? So you can't think about so, you can't think about every little detail. Okay. Like you have to really just like, take some time and say, you know what? Like, okay, as I go out today and my job and my career and my business and my friendships and my relationship, I'm going to do everything I set my mind to.

And do it with confidence. Okay. And so as you're thinking about building your brand, I truly want you to think about, are you executing in the way that aligns with your reputation? Meaning, are you in meetings being mean to people? Like truly, are you in meetings manipulating people, trying to convince them to do something that you know is not right?

Right? So when you're thinking about your execution behavior, does it align with your reputation? Because your reputation might say like, yes, I'm really nice. I'm presentable. I have it all together. But behind closed doors, your execution looks like you're a whole different person. Okay? So when I say like branding is everything, it's truly everything.

But one of the things that I love, this was a quote that really stood out to me, which is continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection. So as you are showing up as your authentic self every single day, The reason why I say do it ugly and do it anyway is you don't want to procrastinate so much to where you are like hurting yourself like because it's really like being a perfectionist is like it's debilitating and like it's truly like going to hinder you and not put you to where you want to be so when I say like execute and Go out and be the person who you're called to be.

It is okay to show up in spaces and say, Hey, I don't know yet. Let me think about it. Let me get back to you because that shows more like humility. It shows that, you know, you're taking time to truly think about something. Right. And so I truly believe that this framework can work in all areas of your life, whether you are in business, whether you're in life, whether you're in friendships, whether you're in a relationship, but it comes back.

To who? Because you get to point the finger at yourself and not the other person. So when I say that discovering your core, so in case you haven't figured out that we just literally walked through the framework of the core, you will take on this framework every single day. And it starts with your values.

It starts with understanding yourself. It starts with understanding, um, who you want to be, how you want to show up. And so, I'm super excited to share everything that's been brewing in me. Cause your girl, I'm like, I got so much content. Right. And so for you, it may sound like simple principles. It may sound like Daniella, like, this is like so cliche.

We've heard this every day. But when I say there's a huge pool of people, you guys that are operating in businesses. in places, in spaces where they're losing themselves. They arrive in this space of success and they are losing themselves. They are committing suicide. They are going into depression.

They're having midlife crisis. It's because they never address the wound that was always beating them, right? They never have taken time to show their self. And so I'm trying to get you ahead, share with you like, Hey, you can get ahead by just being, by just being real, by just being authentic, by just like creating a space That is true and real, but doing it the right way.

And so I'm going to be speaking about these principles and ways that you can apply them to your business, to your life and all the things that you do. So you guys, this is authentic media. I hope you enjoyed this episode today, and I truly look forward to having you join me along the journey. In the meantime, my friend have a blessed day.

I'll see you next time. Thanks for watching the Authentic Media Podcast YouTube at Authentic Media Company. Our mission is to help you develop an authentic brand so you can make the impact that you are called to make. If you got anything from today's episode, make sure you drop a comment down below. I'm interested to see what your takeaways are, and if you haven't already, make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel so you can be the first to know when we drop our newest videos.

In the meantime, have a great day.