Alana Sparrow is a brand strategist, visual storyteller, and co-founder of The Foundry. With 35 years in branding and 25 years as a business owner, she helps leaders craft personal brands that reflect who they are and what they stand for. From executive positioning to employer branding, her experience runs deep, and her creative approach stands out.

In this episode, we dive into her journey of rebuilding after personal loss, growing from 800 to over 27,000 LinkedIn connections, and using personal branding to unlock real business growth. You’ll hear practical advice on how to show up online, build trust, and create a brand with lasting impact. It’s part story, part strategy, and part creative masterclass from someone who truly walks the talk.

Connect with Alana:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanasparrow/
https://www.instagram.com/alanasparrow
https://www.thefoundrysite.com/_15/
https://alanasparrow.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 – Why personal brands can change the world
01:00 – Podcast intro and guest welcome
01:23 – Alana’s background: 35 years in branding
02:13 – How personal branding entered her business
03:28 – The pandemic’s impact on her agency
04:44 – Losing her mother and stepping back from work
05:53 – Rebuilding with LinkedIn after 800 connections
07:06 – How she tripled revenue in under a year
08:04 – How competitors reacted during COVID
09:25 – Why she doesn’t care about competition
10:24 – Realising LinkedIn’s full potential
11:48 – Growing 97k Instagram followers before LinkedIn
13:05 – Learning LinkedIn strategy from Laura Acosta
15:29 – Applying storytelling skills to the platform
17:12 – Handling criticism and passive-aggressive comments
18:53 – Why negative feedback is rare on LinkedIn
20:45 – Dealing with AI-generated comments
23:27 – Why going viral can hurt your brand
25:54 – The Instagram post that gained 17k followers (and backfired)
27:46 – Choosing universal topics that attract the right audience
28:18 – Why she keeps showing up on LinkedIn
30:12 – Long-term goals beyond social media posting
31:24 – Why she’ll never outsource her content creation
32:26 – Common personal branding mistakes on LinkedIn
34:36 – Why experimenting without strategy can backfire
36:47 – The importance of strong foundations and positioning
39:38 – Why audience size doesn’t equal a healthy business
40:55 – How engagement pods hurt the platform
43:46 – Why quality growth matters more than quantity
44:03 – Chasing sunshine and water in her free time
44:34 – Her dog Junie and personal life
45:30 – Why work and hobbies often blend together
45:57 – Where to find Alana online
46:33 – Final personal branding advice
48:00 – Podcast closing and thank you

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