The Seth Godin Lesson That Changed How I Think About Authentic Branding
Why the strongest brands aren’t just clever logos—they’re a true reflection of the people behind them
A month ago, I met Seth Godin in person at a retreat in Brooklyn.
I’ve followed Seth’s work since the very beginning of my career, starting with Purple Cow. His books, daily blog posts, and ideas about marketing and creativity have shaped how I think about strategic branding and authentic connection.
So when I finally met him face-to-face, did he live up to the hype?
Yes. And then some.
When personal brand alignment actually works
From the moment Seth walked into the room, he was exactly who I imagined. Grounded presence. Every word intentional. When he looked you in the eye, you felt it.
He never used more words than he needed. Sometimes his answers were so simple, you had to sit with them. It felt like being inside one of his books—every sentence distilled, every idea clear.
And of course, there was the signature look: sharp sports coat, bald head, yellow glasses. Perfectly on brand. Exactly the Seth Godin I'd pictured all these years.
This is what authentic branding looks like in action.
The gap most small businesses miss
They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but meeting Seth reinforced something I see missing in most small business branding: alignment.
In my work with established thought leaders and course creators, I consistently see this pattern: they’re magnetic in person, but their online presence tells a completely different story. Their expertise speaks for itself in the room, but their business branding services aren’t translating that same authority online.
The problem isn’t their expertise—it’s the disconnect between who they are and how they show up.
What Seth taught me about strategic branding
Seth’s brand works because there’s no gap between:
Who he is in words
Who he is in presence
Who he is in style
Who he is at his core
All of it matches.
This is the lesson that’s transformed how I approach small business branding services: the strongest brands aren’t just clever logos or catchy taglines. They’re a true reflection of the people behind them.
Why most branding approaches miss the mark
After 20+ years in photography and design, and building multiple seven-figure brands, I’ve learned that most small business branding approaches focus on the wrong things.
Business owners think better visuals will solve everything. They invest in:
Professional photography sessions
Mastering design tools
Following the latest trends
DIY brand updates
But they’re missing the strategic foundation that makes everything else work.
The real secret to authentic branding
Strategic branding isn’t about creating something that looks good—it’s about creating something that works.
When I work with clients through my Bespoke Branding Process, we don’t start with colors and fonts. We start with alignment:
What’s the gap between your in-person presence and online conversion?
Where does your expertise get lost in translation?
How can we bridge that disconnect so your brand talks for you?
The magic happens when every touchpoint reflects the same authentic core—just like Seth’s brand does.
Making your brand work as hard as you do
Your business branding should be doing the heavy lifting, not you.
When alignment is right:
Premium clients stop scrolling and start paying attention
Your online presence converts like your in-person interactions
You become the obvious choice before prospects even get on a call
This is what I mean when I say I help create brands that talk for you, bring in income, and drive conversions.
The bottom line on authentic branding
Meeting Seth didn’t just confirm he’s the real deal—it reinforced why authentic branding matters so much.
The best brands aren’t performances. They’re reflections.
When who you are in words matches who you are in presence, matches who you are in style, matches who you are at your core—that's when your brand becomes unforgettable.
That’s when it starts working as hard as you do.
Ready to create a brand that finally matches your expertise? My Brand Spark Roadmap Deep Dive helps established thought leaders identify exactly what's missing and create a custom roadmap to get there.