To create a real brand, people inside and outside your company need to believe in you

Not just your product or service. At the end of the day, it’s all about you. That means your personal brand and your business brand are one in the same. I encourage you to begin by choosing one word that defines you. Here’s a hint to get you started: Think about what you do well.

Let’s use Oprah Winfrey as example. Everybody knows Oprah’s brand. Much of her success is due to the fact that people feel like they know her. She defined her career in a real way—as an extension of her personality. By sharing her story, she got people to believe in her. It’s the reason why she’s been successful at building a phenomenal career.

How about you? What’s your story? Get started now at RealYouIncorporated.com.

Boston is great

Recently, my book promoting activities found me in Boston and reminded me of what a great place it is. We wandered the stacks at the country's first library - amazing - and popped into the the city's largest Barnes and Noble inside Copley Place in the historic Back Bay. It's still an amazing feeling to see Real You Incorporated on the shelves. As always, feel free to pop by and pick one up if you're in the neighborhood.

Later that evening, I headed out to Newton to the studios of NECN - the New England Cable Network - serving three million homes in the six state area. While waiting in the green room/conference room of NECN, I met Sean Garballey - a 23 year old, newly minted member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He was great - even after I told him he looked 12 years old - and I could tell why he soundly defeated his opponents.

During my interview with Beth Shelburne, we talked about my book, Real You Incorporated, but we also shared our mutual love of the book A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. There is something about that book, and her own life, in the midst of our busy lives, that brings peace and introspection. Beth agrees. We also talked about that ever popular phrase - work/life balance. I don't think it exists. More on that in a later post. Until then, here's the clip from my interview with Beth Shelburne of NECN.

Savvy Marketers Share Their Secrets

I just joined a great group of columnists-turned-bloggers that discuss strategies for reaching your target market. The blog-pub, published by Glam Media, is called eBrandMarketing, and it launched late last year. The articles focus on a variety of marketing topics, and I will be adding to the marketing-to-women voice.

Check out my first post: You gotta love eHarmony – even if you’re not in the market for love.

If you want to go for it, you can. And you will.

It all starts with you—and your dreams. That’s what got you thinking about owning your own business in the first place. You want to do it right. You want to make a difference. You want to call the shots. And you’re not alone. Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men (maybe more), leaving corporate jobs because of inflexibility, frustration with the good old boys’ club and the glass ceiling, lack of creativity in the workplace and pure boredom.

Mary Kay is one of my favorite success stories.

Frustrated with the way she had been treated in a male-dominated world, a retired Mary Kay Ash used her life savings of $5,000 to launch a cosmetics company in 1963. Initially, she had only nine independent beauty consultants and a 500-square-foot store in Dallas, but she was equipped with a plan—and a passion. During her 25-year career, she had taken notes about both the good and the bad principles of business that she encountered. Much of what she learned from previous employers became the backbone of her business. For Mary Kay, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, it wasn’t too late to go for it—and she was determined to make it work. Mary Kay passed away in 2001, but her company continues to empower women today.

Get started now! Visit RealYouIncorporated.com for more inspirational stories of women who have followed their entrepreneurial dreams—and made them real.

New York City in a Day

Last Wednesday I flew to New York City for Happy Hour. That is, "Happy Hour" on Fox Business News with Rebecca Gomez. It was a whirlwind trip—there and back in a day. Located in a crowded bar—with standing-room only—Rebecca interviewed me about the book. There was plenty of commotion. But it was relaxed, natural and exciting! She asked me what it means to be true to yourself. And like I’ve said so many times before, you have to start with a passionate idea about what you really want to do in life. Find it within yourself. Be true. Then you can go from there.