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5 steps to Creating a Profitable Personal Brand and Business.

Darlene Hawley

Here are the five things that changed my business and allowed me to start showing up and doing the work that I loved to do.

Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for  online service based business owners

5 steps to creating a profitable personal brand and business.


Have you ever been so worried about how everyone else was running their business that you forgot who you even were?


You started saying and doing what all the other influencers and industry leaders did.


You started to dress like them, write posts like them and even tried to mimic your videos like they did.


Yep, you guessed it...I have.


When I started my business I was wearing business suits and was trying to act just like what I saw other coaches.


I figured if they were successful then all I needed to do what show up just like them and the clients would start pouring in.


Well, guess what.


I was wrong.


I felt like a little girl playing dress-up in her mom’s closet.


I ended up blending in and sounding just like everyone and though I attracted clients here and there ... nothing was consistent.

That’s why it’s so important to have a personal brand.


People like to do business with those that they know, like and trust. So how do you create a personal brand and business that works for you.


Remember that your business is your product or service but your brand is the relationship and experience you create. You are the heart of your brand as your personality is what will attract others towards you.


That’s why a strong brand foundation is so important when building a personal brand and why you need to show up as you, not try to be anyone else.


Here are the five things that changed my business and allowed me to start showing up and doing the work that I loved to do.


1. Your Story- What’s happened in your life that brought you to where you’re at today. Write down everything you can think of in your life, spend 15 minutes journaling all of the pieces. Once you finish journaling find 3 stories that feel like they brought you to starting your business and where you’re at today. Once you determine some of the stories that you want to share it’s important to make sure it relates to your audience.


2. Uncover Your Niche- It’s time to determine what’s your superpower is? What is it that you’re so good at that everyone comes to you for help with, and what do you love to do that lights you up each day. That is your superpower. If you’re unsure on how to uncover your niche download my training and workbook here.My Superpower is connecting the pieces of your story that make you unique. Allowing you to share your message in a way that helps increase visibility and take your brand and business to the next level.


3. Ideal Client Clarity- Now that you know what your niche is and what pieces of your story to share it’s time to get crystal clear on who your ideal client is, and how to find them. I’m sure you’ve done a lot of exercises to find out who your ideal client is and maybe you are your ideal client but just a few steps ahead of them. I take my clients through a three-part framework to get crystal clear on who their ideal client is so they can understand what makes them the way they are and learn how to attract them in. If you haven’t yet, sign up for you masterclass on Monday, September 16that 10:30 am PST.


4 . Magnetic Messaging- Creating a summary or messaging hook that speaks clearly to who you are and the type of clients you want to attract is some of the most important work you’ll do as an online entrepreneur. It can be challenging to attract your audience in if you’re not clear in your writing for what problems you solve and how you help your clients. When I was a kid I used to love filling in mad lips and creating stories, you can do the same with your summary. Try it out and send it to me for feedback.


Hi, I’m (name) and I’m a (insert title). I help (who do you desire to help) to (what immediate struggle does your client need to overcome) by (what is the solution you provide) so they (clients big goal or dream).


Here is mine for example: Hi, I'm Darlene Hawley and I'm a Branding and Business Clarity Coach. I help ambitious, heart-centered entrepreneurs to build a successful personal brand and business by sharing their unique life story so they can share their message with the world, attract dream clients and have the impact, freedom and flexibility they desire.


5. Take a Stand- What is something that you believe strongly in, or that is different than what other industry leaders are saying that you can take a stance on. I hear a lot of influencers and industry leaders talk about Husting to be successful in business, but I can’t stand the word hustle. It makes me cringe and makes my gut hurt. I believe you can create a business of ease and leave the hustle behind. It’s all in creating a business that feels good to you and by focusing on what’s important and not feeling like you have to do all the things. When you’re able to create a solid strategic plan and following through with it... that feels amazing to me. What’s something in your industry that you can take a stand on?


Your brand is the foundation of your business, it’s vital to your success in the long run. Once your business starts growing and you create an audience its vital that you consistently show up and nurture your community by sharing valuable content consistently.


Sign up for my masterclass

Free September Masterclass


Get Crystal Clear on Who Your Ideal Client is and How to Find Them


Once you figure out exactly who you want to work with and where to find them you'll be able to start attracting clients and grow your brand and business.


September 16th, @ 10:30 am PST


During this Masterclass, I’m teaching you how to grow your business by truly knowing who your audience is and how you can support them in their business journey.

You'll learn:

* The three areas to focus in on to become crystal clear on who your ideal client is

* Help them connect why you're the one that can help them get the results they're looking for

* What to say to them to get them to become a paying customer


http://bit.ly/IdealClientMasterclass


✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.


Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step workbook and personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.

Get Instant Access for just $47

10 Effective Communication Tips
Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for service based entrepreneurs

Hey There!

I'm Darlene



As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.


My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.


Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.


Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.


Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.

Woman walking on a quiet trail with children, surrounded by nature—taking a break to reset and care
By Darlene Hawley April 15, 2025
After a tough week and a canceled beach day, a spontaneous hike reminded me of the power of rest, movement, and presence. In this personal story, I share how honoring my energy... and my invisible illness... helped shift my mood and perspective. A gentle reminder for women leaders to care for themselves before burnout hits.
By Darlene Hawley March 25, 2025
The Day I Learned That Selling Isn’t About Selling Ten years ago, I was on a sales call with someone who I knew would benefit from working with me. I had all my points prepared, I knew the value of my offer, and the moment I started “explaining” the coaching package, I could feel her pulling back. She went quiet. Her energy shifted. You know that moment when you can tell someone is already backing away even though you're still mid-sentence? I paused, smiled and took a deep breath and said, “Can I tell you a quick story?” I shared how I’d once been in her exact shoes... unsure, overwhelmed, and wondering if investing in myself was really the right move. I told her how I’d made that leap anyway… and shared what had changed for me during that process. That’s when she leaned in. She wasn’t sold by my offer. She was moved by the story. And that’s when I realized: Storytelling sells—without the “salesy used car salesman” vibe. Why Storytelling Works So Well in Sales Let’s be honest...no one wants to feel sold to, yet we all love to buy. What people do want is to feel seen, heard and valued. And storytelling does exactly that. In fact, studies show that people remember stories up to 22x more than facts alone. And even more powerful? A story creates emotion... and emotion drives action. If you’re struggling to convert prospects into clients, it’s not that your offer isn’t good. It’s that you might not be telling the right story to make someone feel why it matters. 3 Types of Stories That Sell (Without Feeling Pushy) 1. The “I’ve Been Where You Are” Story This is your empathy bridge. When you share a relatable story from your own experience, your audience sees themselves in you. You’re not just a coach, consultant, or expert.... you’re a human being who gets it. Example: “I used to feel invisible online. I would write a post, hit publish, and hear crickets. It wasn’t until I started sharing my story that people began engaging, reaching out, and eventually becoming a client.” This story builds trust and shows them, “If she figured this out, maybe I can too.” 2. The Client Success Story People like proof, evidence of how it will work. And no, this doesn’t mean sharing stats or results in bullet points. It means telling the transformation journey. Example: “Jackie, a life coach, came to me unsure of what to say in her content. After taking my storytelling course, she started sharing her story in her newsletter and during conversations and landed three new clients within the first month. Why? Because her audience felt connected to her.” It’s not about showing off, it’s about showing what’s possible. 3. The Vision Story Paint the picture of what life could look like for them if they take action. The power of this story lies in aspiration. Example: “Imagine waking up with clarity around your message. You open your laptop, write a post with confidence, and get a message from someone who says, ‘I felt like you were speaking directly to me.’ That’s what happens when your story connects.” When people can see their future selves in the story you tell, they want more of what you have to offer. How to Start Using These Stories in Your Sales Process Now that you’ve got the story types, here’s where to use them: On your website – especially your About page and sales pages In your emails – every time you’re adding value or selling connect with a story On strategy calls – as a way to shift from pressure to connection On social media – to build relationships and nurture your community Tip: Start building a Story Bank. Open a notes tab or a doc and jot down 2–3 small moments from your life or business each day. That way, when it’s time to write content or show up for a launch... you’re never starting from scratch. Selling Through Story Isn’t Manipulative—It’s Meaningful When you tell stories with heart and authenticity, you’re not convincing people to buy, you’re helping them see that they’re not alone. You’re offering a way to move forward. And when you do that? Selling doesn’t feel awkward, It feels like service. One of my mentors, Kendrick Shope, always says: “Selling is helping.” And she’s absolutely right. Because when you sell through storytelling, you’re not pushing, you’re guiding. You’re inviting people into a transformation that you know is possible. When you lead with your heart and with empathy and share your truth, you're not just building a business... you’re building trust What might shift for you if you started weaving more of your story into how you connect with your team, clients and community?
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