Welcome to another episode of Your Personal Branding Podcast. Bernard Kelvin Clive here. Today, I have a special guest with me — Loren Nelson. Loren, welcome to the show!

Loren:
Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.

BKC:
Let’s dive right in. We often talk about personal branding, digital marketing, and all things in between. From your perspective, what is personal branding really all about?

Loren:
For me, personal branding is tied to self-worth. It’s about knowing who you are — being self-aware enough to show up in the world as your authentic self. That’s where true authenticity lies: in self-knowledge and the courage to be seen clearly by others.

BKC:
I love that. Many people begin their personal branding journeys by jumping on digital platforms — LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok — and putting out great profile pictures, fancy bios, and avatars. While that’s common, I often have issues with that approach. You mentioned something critical: self-awareness is the starting point.
So let’s go there — how does one begin building personal self-awareness as a foundation for branding? How do I get to know myself and then build a brand in the right direction?

Loren:
That’s such an important question. First, we need to understand that becoming self-aware is a process. It’s not instant. It often involves unlearning things we’ve been taught since childhood — beliefs, expectations, behaviors.

A lot of people think personal branding happens overnight: “By tomorrow, I’ll have this amazing brand.” But the truth is, it takes time and deep reflection. We need to look at how our experiences have shaped us — how certain situations formed our character and values.

One way I’ve developed my own personal brand is through journaling. I reflect on past experiences, how they’ve impacted my worldview, how I show up, and the kind of impact I want to create. Journaling has been a key tool for me — and I’d highly recommend it to anyone on this journey.

BKC:
Let’s talk more about journaling. Someone listening might say, “Loren, journaling sounds hard. I’m not trying to write a book or script my life!” They may also worry about oversharing. What would you say to someone who finds journaling intimidating? How can they start — and use it to grow while also bringing their audience along on their journey?

Loren:
I completely understand that concern. Personal branding isn’t about telling the world everything about you. It’s not about exposing yourself. It’s about clarity and relevance.

You start by getting clear on the industry or space you want to be known in. Then, ask yourself: What experiences or lessons have I learned that are relevant to this space?

Deep introspection is great for personal growth, but when sharing publicly, you only need to share what adds value and builds credibility within your niche.

Here’s how I approach it: Imagine you’re preparing for a job interview. You’d list the skills, experiences, and achievements that are relevant to the role. Do the same for your personal brand — list experiences that reflect your credibility and give you authority to speak in your space.

And yes, that includes moments of failure or hurt — those are powerful when framed as lessons. Write them down. Reflect on the stories behind them. Go deep.

Most people shy away from depth because it’s uncomfortable. And in a world of short attention spans, it feels easier to stay surface-level. But depth is where the real connection happens. If you want to build a strong personal brand, it’s absolutely worth the effort.

So, begin with your stories — the experiences, lessons, even losses — and shape them into valuable content for your audience. That’s how you build with purpose and authenticity.

BKC:
Let me add a little something to that. One thing I often recommend is starting with the FAQs — frequently asked questions — in your field.

Just list out the questions people regularly ask you in your area of expertise. These could be related to your career, business, or industry challenges. Start sharing insights and responses to those questions. It’s a practical and relatable starting point for content creation.

By doing this, you not only offer value to your audience but also begin to build confidence in yourself and your authority in that space. Over time, it helps you gain traction and credibility as you grow your personal brand.

Now, Loren, here’s something that comes up a lot:
Let’s say someone is transitioning from one career to another. For example, maybe they’re currently in HR but are developing a strong interest in AI technologies. How can they make that transition effectively — from one clearly defined field into another — in a way that helps their audience buy into their journey, trust their voice, and recognize their evolving relevance?

Loren:
That’s such a great question. Career transitions can be beautiful, and in many cases, necessary for our growth and evolution.

There’s this outdated idea that we need to pick one lane in life and stick with it forever — become an expert in just one thing. But the truth is, we’re multi-dimensional. We have the freedom to evolve, to explore, and to pivot. That’s something to celebrate, not suppress.

Now, when it comes to transitioning, one of the most powerful things you can do is bring people along for the ride.

Here’s what I mean: People love watching a journey unfold. They connect more deeply when they see someone start from somewhere familiar, go through the process, and grow into something new.

If you suddenly show up claiming to be an AI expert, but your audience only knows you as “the HR person,” there’s a disconnect. But if you say, “Hey, I’m currently in HR and I’ve recently developed a strong interest in AI. I’m starting this transition, and I want to share the journey,” people will relate to that. They’ll be curious, supportive, and more likely to engage with you.

They might ask, “Oh, what sparked your interest in AI?” or “How’s the transition going?” You create space for conversation, connection, and growth.

And as you go deeper, share the process:

• What courses are you taking?





• What books are you reading?





• Who are you connecting with in the AI space?





• What insights are you learning?

This is also a golden opportunity to network, seek mentors, and build new relationships. Showcasing the journey — not just the destination — is one of the most authentic and effective ways to rebrand during a career shift, especially on social media.

BKC:
Yes, exactly. To add a bit more to that — we are in what I often call the “Me Era.” Everyone wants to show up as an expert. But what really resonates today is vulnerability.

When you openly admit, “This is a new field for me — I’m not yet an expert. I was an expert in HR, but I’m now transitioning into AI,” that honesty draws people in.

You invite your audience to journey with you. You say, “Come along with me. I’ll share my successes, my failures, and my learnings.” That openness builds trust. People begin to say, “Wow, this person is genuine — I can relate to that.”

Personally, about 15 or 16 years ago, when I started writing and publishing books, I began teaching others how to do the same. And one of the first things I did “channeling” — was create a simple pathway. I gathered a core group and began offering value for free.

No charge. No paywall. Just impact.

I would host free virtual sessions to teach them how to write and publish. From there, I received lots of frequently asked questions — that helped me refine my content. Eventually, I introduced low-entry paid versions of those sessions.

But by that time, I had already built trust. These people had seen my growth, been part of my learning journey, and now believed in the process.

So what happened? They trusted me. Because they saw where I started and where I was going. I didn’t hide my flaws. I was vulnerable. But I also showed I was evolving. That’s what allows people to say, “Okay, this person can help me grow too.”

Loren:
Yes! And I’d love to share a bit of my own story to build on that — just so our listeners can appreciate the power of that growth process.

And you’re absolutely right, Bernard. Starting for free is so important. But I know, especially for people who are trying to position themselves as high-value, it can feel uncomfortable. Like, “Shouldn’t I be charging for this?”

But the key is understanding why you’re doing it. You’re building credibility, gaining experience, and creating opportunities.

Now, my story — whew! Where do I even begin? [laughs] I’ve done quite a few things, but let’s go back to the very beginning.

My first ever business was a haircare company called Levore. I started it when I was just 18. I had no experience — none — in haircare. But I was ambitious and willing to learn.

You see, my mom used to make homemade hair products for us. One day I thought, “Why not try branding this and turning it into something real?” So I began using my personal brand to talk about the products, showcase results with my own hair,