6 Famous Entrepreneurs Who Show How Your Personal Brand Powers Deal Flow

Your personal brand is your calling card for attracting like-minded people who will believe in your message. Whether you are a freelancer, startup or you just received your first round of financing, the effort you put into your personal brand directly affects how others perceive the value of your business.

33 percent of people trust messages from a brand, but 90 percent trust messages that come from someone they know (Kredible). While it may not be possible for everyone to know you on a personal level with direct interaction, a personal brand can give people an idea of who you are and what you’re all about. The easier others can assess your personal brand, the easier you will find it is to improve your deal flow.

Your personal brand should answer several questions.

  • What personal values are most important to you, and how does your company reflect this?
  • What’s your story behind your business?
  • Do you have the skills and knowledge that ensures quality others can trust?
  • What is it about you that others can relate to on a personal level?

Here are a few examples of how successful entrepreneurs have leveraged their personal brands to increase their deal flow. Be Your Mission.

1. Jessica Alba, The Honest Company.

We first knew Jessica Alba as an actress, but motherhood defined her mission as founder of The Honest Company. Alba’s story behind her company came from a common struggle that parents face, searching for non-toxic and pure household ingredients and childcare products.

“I did research when I was pregnant with my first daughter and was horrified by the chemicals in products, even those meant for babies. I would have to go to 50 different places just to get my house and my kid clean.”

As the ideal customer of her own company, Alba’s mission to fulfill a gap in clean products for parents has led to a deal flow that has given The Honest Company its value at nearly $2 billion.

2. Richard Branson, Virgin Group.

The decision-maker and visionary behind a leading travel and leisure empire shouldn’t be boring. Richard Branson’s playful and fun personal brand has helped the Virgin name extend across over 200 companies.

Branson describes himself on Twitter as a “tie-loathing adventurer, philanthropist, and troublemaker…Dr. Yes.” Branson’s down-to-earth persona has…