MOM’S ROLE IN DEVELOPING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Being a mom is utterly commonplace and wholly unique at the same time because every mother is different. When I think about motherhood and personal branding, several thoughts start swimming in my mind all once: how women who are moms approach their jobs outside of the home, the personal brands of the stay-at-home mom, and of course, the role that every mother plays in the development of each person’s personal brand.

Let’s talk about this last one first. Whether your mother was the cause of thousands of dollars spent in psychotherapy or if your mom is your best friend, your mom played a key role in the development of your personal brand. Maybe your mom was neurotic, and that pushed you to perfection. Recognize that even if your mother drives you crazy, she is an important part of who you are. Embrace what your mother added to your perspective and how she influenced your career.

My own mother is uber-creative and quirky in the most positive way. She’s a writer, and I am a writer. Growing up, she showed me what it means to be multifaceted. As an art teacher, art historian, a docent at a museum, a writer and photographer for the magazine Fine Gardening, as a gardener and flower show judge, she taught me to embrace the unique and disparate qualities that make us who we are. She also encouraged me to go after whatever I wanted and instilled a belief in me that anything was possible, so I don’t think it’s a coincidence that that’s what I do in my career as a mentor to others.

If you are a mom, cherish the role you play in developing and nurturing your children’s personal brands. Celebrate what makes them unique and help them build self-awareness about what makes them different. When they grow up, this will help them answer a job interview question, “Why should I hire you?”

If you are a stay-at-home mom, motherhood is vital to your personal brand. Honor that! But also know that you’re not “just like every other mom;” know that the way that you approach motherhood will be unlike how anyone else approaches motherhood.

Mothers play an integral role in shaping, adding to or influencing our personal brands for better or for worse. As we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend, think about how motherhood has had an impact on your personal brand. It may hold the key to aspects of your brand that make you uniquely qualified for some job or how your perspective on some business challenge can contribute to never before thought of solutions.

Happy Mother’s Day