Brand You Personal Branding

I got sick this past week and it made me realize something important about my content strategy - I've been spreading myself way too thin. Sometimes it takes getting "punched in the mouth" (as Mike Tyson would say) to see what's really not working. So, I'm sharing my honest struggle with feeling scattered across multiple platforms and the bold new approach I'm testing for the next six months minimum. I f you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to be everywhere online, this look at simplifying your content might give you the permission you need to focus. Check out my new book with Andy Storch - available now! Get Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook  

What happens when a hardworking analyst who gets mistaken for a flight attendant discovers she needs more than excellent work to climb the corporate ladder? May Busch's 24-year journey from junior analyst to Chief Operating Officer at Morgan Stanley Europe reveals the uncomfortable truths about executive presence, personal branding, and why your skills alone won't get you promoted. Some key points: The promotion-killing wardrobe mistake that taught May the harsh reality about looking "the part" The secret world of workplace sponsors and how May accidentally earned one of the most difficult managing directors as her champion Why AI won't eliminate all roles but will fundamentally change what companies expect from rising talent in the next 3-5 years The "hand brake" revelation that explains how world-class worriers can still achieve extraordinary success in high-pressure environments Get May's new book, Visible: thevisiblebook.com Connect with May: maybusch.com May on LinkedIn Finally, check out my new book

In this conversation, I team up with my friend Andy Storch to share the behind-the-scenes story of our new book Own Your Brand, Own Your Career. We pull back the curtain on what it’s like to co-author a book from scratch, why we chose to self-publish, and how this project bridges my world of solopreneurs with Andy’s corporate leadership audience. Beyond the book itself, we dive deep into collaboration, personal branding, and the future of work in the age of AI. Get Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Barry Davis, a collegiate Hall of Fame baseball coach and author of Old Dog, New Tricks: The Power of Leading with Emotional Intelligence. Barry shares how writing books has not only shaped his leadership but also expanded his platform as a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. You'll also get some golden insights on coaching and mentorship. My favorite takeaway? Coach the person, not the position. Get Old Dog, New Tricks on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

I sit down with author Marissa Nehlsen to share how we helped her bring her first book, Live Life Rich, to life. You'll learn how the book was conceived and structured, as well as some of the challenges we faced. You can also view this interview in studio on my YouTube channel here. If you've ever wanted to write a book or were curious about how the ghostwriter / client dynamic works, tune in. Get your copy of Live Life Rich » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Finally, if you haven't yet done so, register for my You Are the Brand AI Summit where you'll learn from leading experts on how to amplify your personal brand using AI - without losing your authenticy or audience: youarethebrand.ai Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

As AI continues to change how we work, I’ve been paying close attention to the one thing it can’t replicate: taste. In this conversation, I share why I believe cultivating discernment is the real differentiator, how I’m personally practicing it, and what you can do to sharpen yours in business, branding, and creativity. Why I think AI can replicate skills but not intuition—and why that excites me. How Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash helped me see taste in a whole new way. The way I curate my inputs to sharpen my instincts and creativity. Why I’ve learned subtraction is just as important as addition in great work. The feedback loops I rely on to refine my eye and get better over time. Join me at my upcoming (free!) You Are the Brand AI Summit at youarethebrand.ai and learn how to turn your voice into your ultimate competitive edge. Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Content alone won’t set you apart anymore. AI can create more words, images, and videos than you could in a lifetime—but it can’t replicate your voice, your perspective, or the way you connect with people. That’s why what you say, how you say it, and the stories you share are about to become your most valuable assets. I’ve just spent weeks deep in conversations with some smart entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders I know for my upcoming You Are the Brand AI Summit. One very common theme: the people who win in this next wave will be the ones who double down on authenticity, not automation. A few more shares from this episode: The “authenticity premium” that’s making human connection more valuable than ever Why live, in-person events are exploding right now Why professional speakers aren't afraid of AI (this was cool) Why your unpolished, uncomfortable stories are often your biggest differentiator The summit kicks off August 25—and it’s completely free. When you register, you’ll get my personal field notes fro

When my friend Eugene Choi dropped by my place last week, we had one of the rawest conversations I’ve ever had about my business. For the first time, I opened up about the wins I’ve kept quiet, the mistakes that nearly sunk me, and the moments—and people—that altered my path forever. This is the unfiltered backstory I’ve never fully shared, until now. Tune in and, you’ll hear: 1:56 - Why my mastermind is (apparently) an anomaly 6:56 - How my mastermind helped me go full-time 15:09 - Surviving divorce and a big business blunder 19:08 - Ray Edwards' belief 26:11 - Donald Miller's kindness 31:09 - Todd Herman, Mary Valloni, so many others 42:37 - The providence of God 45:45 - My master plan for an IP empire 51:53 - Ann Ahn, an early hero 58:38 - Join me for You Are the Brand AI Summit Episode Resources: You Are the Brand AI Summit » Eugene Choi on Instagram » Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

As solopreneurs, so much of what we build is deeply personal. Our businesses are often born from the gaps in our own stories. In this solo episode, I reflect on the recent death of my father and the quiet grief that followed for the connection we never fully had. It made me confront how much of my business drive was rooted in fear and pain. This isn’t a business episode in the traditional sense, but it’s a human one. If you’ve ever built something to feel safe, seen, or in control, I think you’ll find something here. In this episode, I talk about: How grief can show up as ambition, productivity, or perfectionism Why many founders build strong brands from unresolved pain The hidden costs of being self-reliant for too long What it looks like to love someone through action, not nostalgia How to keep creating when the story doesn’t end neatly CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Watch this talk on YouTube » Entrepreneurs and high achievers like to talk a lot about how to rewrite their life story, especially in the context of their external accomplishments. I've found that growth more happens in the unseen moments - the times of pain, heartache, and the decisions we face that require courage, forgiveness, and presence. When I got the call that my dad was dying, I knew I had to share this story—our story. This is a talk I gave at Growth Now Summit Live, and with special permission from host Justin Schenck, I’m sharing it here. It’s about reconciliation, grief, identity, and the raw, often ugly road to healing. Whether or not you’re navigating loss or family conflict, I hope this message invites you to reconnect—with yourself or someone else—before it’s too late. CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

There's been a lot going on lately, so I thought I'd pop in and give you an update. Sorry I've been missing my podcasts...

If you’re a solopreneur, you already wear every hat: marketing, sales, content, client delivery. But there’s one skill that ties it all together –– persuasion. In this episode, I sit down with Ellin Sidell, Fortune 500 leader-turned-author of The Influence Advantage. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why persuasion is a skill you can master—even if you're introverted or uncomfortable with sales How Ellen got her boss to complete her overdue review using nothing but humor and a fake invoice (true story) What solopreneurs can learn from Costco’s grassroots mentorship program and how to replicate it in your brand The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why both matter for your growth Why self-leadership is your greatest competitive edge in today’s content-heavy world Get Ellin's book, The Influence Advantage » Connect with Ellin: ellinsidell.com LinkedIn  YouTube

Want to build a network that actually works for you — without faking extroversion or burning out? Today, Selena Soo joins me to talk about what it really takes to build a million-dollar network in today’s world. From defining your inner circle to learning how to ask for help, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-won insight. Why introverts can often be great relationship builders—and how Selena leveraged this to create a thriving network The 3-phase framework of building Rich Relationships: Align, Attract, Activate How to sort your network into 6 circles—and why this protects your time, energy, and values The vulnerable story of how Selena ended a million-dollar relationship with a mentor who crossed the line Don’t just listen—put this into action. Get Selena’s free scripts, preview the book, and enter to win $1,000: richrelationshipsbook.com/mikekim Get Selena's book, Rich Relationships, on Amazon here » Connect with Selena: Website - https://www.selenasoo.com Instagram - https://www

Jay Ferrugia has spent over 25 years transforming lives through strength — but not just in the gym. In this episode, we dive into the mindset, discipline, and raw honesty it takes to create real results in any field. Jay shares why playing nice often holds your clients back, how to build trust without people-pleasing, and why authenticity isn’t a brand strategy — it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re in fitness, business, or the expert space, this conversation will challenge the way you lead and deliver value. Why "being nice" might be sabotaging your client relationships and diluting your authority How to build lasting trust through brutal honesty (delivered with care) What Jay looks for in the first five seconds of meeting a client — and how it predicts success The real difference between information and transformation (and how to create the latter) Why personality fit matters more than marketing when it comes to results and referrals Connect with Jay: Website Instagram Connect with Me: Website Instagram Ti

Heidi DeCoux is an entrepreneur, tech innovator, and financial literacy advocate. Heidi has successfully built and scaled four businesses with 50%+ profit margins and sold three of them, one of which resulted in a 7-figure exit. In this conversation, Heidi shares some of the most important principles for success. Her latest adventure is launching the tech startup, Cashflowy.ai — a bookkeeping, client invoicing, and cash-flow management smart AI software for small businesses that eliminates the need for a bookkeeper. Heidi is also the founder of Financial Titans — a nonprofit that teaches young people how to start businesses and make their first $500 while learning to think from a first principles, entrepreneurial perspective. 3:26 – You will never figure it out all in your head 4:22 – There is no end so enjoy the journey 6:18 – Everything is figureoutable 10:44 – The dark night of the soul is real 14:25 – Get good at letting go 18:52 – You will rarely make a mistake you won’t recover from 25:00 – Define you

AI isn’t coming — it’s already here, reshaping the coaching, consulting, and expert industry at a speed that’s catching many off guard. In this episode, I share an unfiltered look at how AI is changing the personal brand space and what you must do right now to stay relevant, trusted, and in demand. This isn’t a tech tutorial — it’s a wake-up call. You don’t need to fear AI… but you do need a plan. 0:57 - Connection is the differentiator 2:25 - The viral AI YouTuber who lost my trust 5:07 - The messenger is more important than the message 6:02 - Your output should be INCREASING 8:23 - U.S. presidential campaigns reveal where content is headed next 11:07 - Publish or perish If you’re a coach, expert, or creator who wants to stay ahead of the curve, this is the episode you can’t afford to skip.

Turning your expertise into real income doesn’t require a massive audience—yet so many people get stuck believing they need one. In this episode, I break down the five biggest mistakes people make when trying to monetize their skills, and I’ll share the simple shifts that can unlock your true earning potential. 0:50 - The single biggest mistake: pricing too low from the start 1:50 - The "traffic from hell" model for pricing 6:08 - Success Hack: always assume people want to work with you 10:05 - Grow your email or struggle forever 15:17 - The pitfalls of underdocumenting your business and life 19:34 - Small, high-caliber events are the best investments 21:36 - The first business I ever attended Connect with Me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Twitter YouTube Follow and Review: I’d love for you to follow me on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podc

Robby Fowler is back to join me on the show and we've got some interesting insights to share. During a recent launch, we surveyed solopreneurs—coaches, consultants, and service-based experts—and 92% admitted to making a critical mistake that’s keeping them from consistent clients and revenue. The good news? Once you fix this, everything changes. In this episode, we break down: What 92% of solopreneurs are missing—and why it’s costing them clients. The biggest myth about growing your brand (and what to do instead). How one expert went from $1K to $10K months—without chasing leads. The real reason you’re not getting more sales (hint: it’s not marketing). A simple shift that makes lead generation feel effortless. If you’re hustling but still struggling to scale, this episode will show you exactly what’s missing and how to turn it around. Connect with Me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Twitter YouTube Follow and Review: I’d love for you to follow me on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t yet. Click that purp

In this episode, I’m bringing you a rare, behind-the-scenes leadership talk I gave for Ugandan Water Project, covering life transitions, unlearning old beliefs, and how asking better questions leads to better answers. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering What am I going to do with my life?, this episode will challenge you to rethink success, identity, and purpose. I share the pivotal moments that shaped my journey—from the expectations placed on me by my culture and faith, to my personal turning points in career, relationships, and self-discovery. We also explore: The four most powerful questions I’ve asked myself that changed my trajectory. A hilarious (and slightly concerning) family story that involves my first-ever experience with alcohol… at age 4. Why your mission, vision, and goals should evolve—but your identity stays the same. If you’re feeling stuck, searching for clarity, or navigating a major transition, this conversation will give you fresh insight and a new framework for moving forward. Uga