Crafting My Identity: A Reflection on Brand Development
THIS IS NOT ONLY A STORY ABOUT BUILDING A PERSONAL BRAND. IT IS ALSO A STORY OF REBIRTH AND HOW NEW LIFE TAKES FLIGHT, RISING AGAINST THE ODDS EVEN WHEN THE OBSTACLES HAVE BEEN RELENTLESS. IT IS ABOUT OPENING TO THE JOY OF SUCCESS. I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME ON THIS TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY AS WE SPREAD OUR WINGS AND VENTURE INTO NEW HEIGHTS.
After the most successful season of my career, at the end of 2023, I realized I was among the few top players in the disc golf world who had yet to develop their brand. Yes, I did have a strong brand, but it was intangible. That made me long to put it into a visual concept and logical structure so that it would become tangible and visible to all. This sent me on a quest to build a personal brand.
Initially, a daunting and scary task became more manageable after my manager, Matthias, jumped on board in November. Years of solitary pursuit had been exhausting, so his addition to the team was like a heavenly gift. His insights and guidance made the road to brand building a lot simpler. Having the right person by my side to guide me through this process, I was empowered to embark on this new journey. This was when we partnered up with Neway - an award-winning design agency from Estonia that helps create meaningful brands and memorable experiences. Arriving at their doorstep and asking for help is how the creation began.
TRUSTING THE PROCESS
Never being part of a brand building or even just the professional marketing side, I had yet to learn what to expect. While it felt exciting, it was intimidating at the same time. The idea of putting myself at the forefront was daunting. Yet, I felt at ease when I arrived at their office and sat down with their branding team. Their guidance made walking through the stages of the creation process exciting, and I loved how they led me with their questions to talk about my real essence. It is one thing to list your favorite colors, brands, movies, books, etc. But, it is another thing to open yourself up and have the courage to be vulnerable if needed because it is at your core where the authentic brand materials lie.
FEATHERED FRIEND HERON
Finally, what stood out from everything provided was my connection to herons. The link between me and this elegant bird was created in 2022 when I started looking inward to understand myself better. During this introspective expedition, I noticed more and more heron symbolism. At first, I did not pay too much attention to it, but while building my brand, I looked back at the times when this distinctive feathered friend revealed itself to me and understood that it holds great significance. Oddly enough, diving into the folklore of ancient cultures around this bird, I discovered profound parallels between the heron and my journey.
In various cultures, herons symbolize patience, resilience, and grace in the face of adversity. Their serene presence amidst turbulent waters reminds us of the power of inner calm. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the heron was associated with Bennu, a deity embodying creation and rebirth. Bennu's title, "To Rise in Brilliance," encapsulates the essence of my brand — a testament to resilience and the capacity for personal growth.
Maya Angelou once said:
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
I aspire to infuse every aspect of my brand with the feeling of rising in brilliance — a reminder of the inherent potential within each of us.
If you want to learn more about the whole rebranding process, check out this case study video.
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