29 Comments
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Brunette from Wall Street's avatar

the best decision. But it’s not easy.

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Definitely not an easy path for sure!

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Melissa van den Broek's avatar

Just by the title I knew I would relate. I've tried 'personal branding' so many times but it just doesn't work as someone with too many sides / multipassionate. So I'm also going this way, branding my brand, not myself, and letting me being just me - uncurated and real.

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Thanks for reading and sharing Melissa! Totally understand where you’re coming from. I hope you find some freedom in this decision as you begin building your own brand!

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Ana's avatar

Hi Maddy, I'm a new subscriber and also new to Substack. Your words helped understand the path that I want to take with my own brand, Seeing how you managed to simplify the following really helped because I felt really stuck on the points below:

I don’t want to be my brand. I’ve realized I don’t want to film my daily life, overthink how each post shapes my identity, or create strategies for my personal Instagram. I want to share when I feel like it—sporadically and without pressure.

Boundaries. Having a business and brand separate from myself allows me to have clearer boundaries and show up more confidently. It’s easier to stay “on brand” and also disconnect my personal life and identity from “work.”

Thank you so much!

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Hi Ana! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts🤍 I’m so happy to hear these words resonated with you and where you hope to take your brand! I believe it’s all about experimenting and finding the most aligned path forward for our lives/businesses.

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Jenn- jscreative's avatar

Fabulous! And I loved this:

//“…Just because someone else is showing up a certain way or building a specific type of business doesn’t mean you have to follow the same path.”//

That’s precisely what my new course is all about… showing multi-passionates that they don’t have to follow someone else’s blueprint — you can create your own!

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Love that Jenn! Thanks for reading🤍

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Allison's avatar

I saw so much of myself here — a good push to take the leap. thank you for inspiring!

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Thank you for reading Allison! So happy to hear this🤍 Good luck with your newest venture!

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NEMM Design's avatar

That it can go on without you…and it can be sold eventually if needed…

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Great points!

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Bria's avatar

As always excited to follow the next iteration!

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Maddy Odom's avatar

As always, excited to have you in my corner!🤍

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Raquel Souza's avatar

Couldn’t relate more! I’m so happy now that I have a business that doesn’t depend on my personal brand. I felt so much freedom when I realized that I don’t want to share my personal life in this “obligatory” way. Although, I know that my brand could benefit if I decided to show up constantly- but I don’t want to 😅

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Love this! And I totally understand the other complicated topic of showing up personally in your brand😅 I think it all comes back to showing up how we feel the most confident and comfortable!

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Effie Forrest's avatar

I’m so inspired by this! Figuring out what direction to go in now that my son is a little older and I have more time has been daunting. It’s comforting to hear that you’ve tried a lot of things and gained valuable knowledge about what you want in the process. Thank you for sharing!

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Thank you for reading and sharing Effie! I feel like since having more free time (thanks to childcare!) it’s taken me quite awhile to get back into the swing of things work wise. I had to have several months to readjust, and even now still have trouble around focusing or efficiency. Anyways, another conversation, but just wanted to let you know I totally understand how daunting it is re-entering work when you have little ones! So important to give ourselves some grace and patience while we figure out the next best direction for us🤍

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Effie Forrest's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words!

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ali nolan's avatar

I love this so much! I launched my interior design firm two years ago and struggled for a long time with the name. I knew I didn’t want to use my own name, for the reasons you so eloquently outlined above. In the end, I named it Studio Burgoon after my maiden name. I went through several rounds of brainstorming with a professional, and nothing else resonated quite the same way. I’m still confident in the choice—it's personal, but not solely about me. I’m excited to grow the business and, as I build my team, create something we all feel apart of that is bigger than any one of us.

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Hi Ali! I LOVE that. Naming is such a daunting task, but it feels like you found the perfect balance between personal, yet still external from you. It’s amazing that you’re creating a business that will incorporate a collective vision! I’m excited to continue following your studio over on Instagram and witnessing your beautiful work🤍

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Julianna Cassata's avatar

This was a very timely and pertinent read. I always enjoy hearing your perspectives and seeing you pursue your passions with such grace, no matter what direction that takes you in. Though you've decided not to actively build a personal brand, everything has felt very authentically you and that in itself is inspiring! 🤍

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Aw thanks Julianna! I still plan on showing up and sharing personally, just not going to put all my capacity behind the personal brand side of things😅 I can’t wait to tell you what I’m working on! And can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for you

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Florence's avatar

This comes at precisely the right time ! Always enjoy reading you ❤️

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Maddy Odom's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and sharing Florence! Happy to hear this brought some inspiration your way🤍 Can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for your business!

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Minaa B.'s avatar

Loves this. After years of building a personal brand, I decided to build something separate from myself with I’m SO MATURE. I'm ready for this next chapter of my career to be tied to me but also independent and doesn't need my face or name to function. It's hard, but it can be done!

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Flo The Founder's avatar

As another brand founder, I appreciate this writing ✨

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Jennifer Diaz's avatar

I'm so glad I found this article. I love what I do in my current business, but I really don't desire to BE my brand. I have an idea for a business that feels exciting and is outside of myself that I'm working on pursuing, so reading this was timely. I resonate so much with what you said here too:

"But I’ve come to realize it’s not about fear or “baggage” I may carry around being seen, it’s simply not in alignment with my purpose or how I create best."

Thank you for sharing your experience and giving me hope!

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Kirsti McNabney's avatar

Love this so much Maddy! Can’t wait to see what comes next on this journey for you 🤍

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