Economist and Model?? Investing in your personal brand

We all see the celebrities launch makeup brands, perfume, clothing lines and many other products just with what looks like just the power of their names and faces. So what comes first, the success of the face and name? or the success of product? and how do you do it yourself?

This is my personalized emoji in my MakeupMoji app (http://apple.co/2zQappt). I also model for my brands as well as my close friends brands that I support. The images at the top and bottom of this post are a behind the scenes picture and a snap shot of a shoot we did yesterday.

Here's the back story of how I went from a wannabe wallflower to investing in my personal brand.

At the beginning of my career, I'm talking working at McDonald's and Cloverdale Paint, I was first noticed for my relaxed and friendly disposition. I found people were drawn to me because of my positive attitude and the ease I approached a task with.

Now this is just my story, for others you will have been noticed for your listening skills or patience or you were a natural leader that people gravitated to. The overarching theme is that we have always found our successes because of who we are and what we personally bring to the table.

For some reason, none of these experiences gave me the confidence to invest in my personal brand. I found more comfort in building relationships with customers and crunching numbers than pasting my face on ads- even if I knew I'd reach more clients this way. Having spent most of my life in classrooms and work places that encouraged you to blend into the curtains I had no real example or experience about what investing in your personal brand looked like.

How do you go from being encouraged to blend into the curtains to spending time and money advertising your face?

The first thing you do, is tell yourself that you don't work for anyone but you. In the same way that no one is responsible for you, except you. It's the same raw, empowering feeling.

The second thing you do is understand wholeheartedly that when people tell you they believe in you, they mean it. Use the strength and encouragement from these people to move you forward. This group is called your support system. Interact with them often.

The third step is being realistic about the fact that you are as capable as anyone else if you are willing to put the time in and keep consistent. Nothing happens overnight..everything takes time. A large transition for me was understanding and adapting to long term growth in business. You gotta settle in for the long haul. The longer you do something the stronger and better it is... ie the more value it holds.

I hope this helps a few wannabe wall flowers get out of their comfort zone and in front of a camera. You'll love it I promise ;) <3 <3