personal brand

3 Beliefs Killing Your Personal Brand Growth

  1. I need to look perfect

    As women, we're often our worst critics. This belief is understandable to an extent – we want to look good and feel good.

Following that logic though, only supermodels should be out there and that is simply crazy, wouldn't you agree? And nobody's expecting you to be perfect, they expect you to help with your expertise.

By all means, wear clothes that make you feel amazing and give yourself some pampering self-care! But you don't need to be perfect, you need to:

  • show up and be approachable

  • communicate how you're helping

  • be passionate about your work

2. I don't want to promote myself, it's vain

Think about the last time you worked with someone because they were showing up in their brand. Did you think they were vain or did they give you a chance to get to know them better? Maybe you felt a connection because of similar fashion choices, life stages you're at, problems you're experiencing or even your pets?

There's a reason why content with people performs better online. We're all humans craving human connection. If you're hiding, people can't work with you.

3. I need to follow trends

Technology moves very fast, however always remember that while marketing and social media platforms have their goals, you should have your own goals.

Knowing what your brand is and sticking to that instead of jumping from trend to trend is more productive and will help you focus on business growth.

Be mindful how much of your attention you give to trends, especially if they're not giving you results in your business.


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Fall Favorites 2020

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Fall is here and I’m hoping it will stay for a while…

Fall is such a beautiful season, however in Ontario, Canada it doesn’t last very long. It always gets very challenging booking fall photoshoots, because there’s only a few weeks to work with when the colors are at their finest and the leaves are still on the trees.

I really wanted to enjoy this season before winter comes and we’re stuck indoors…

Here’s a few of my fall favorites which made me enjoy this time more:

  1. White Sweaters

As a big fan of white I don’t believe in saying “no white after Labour Day”. White sweaters have this air of coziness about them and they go beautifully with all colors.

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2. Fall Blazer

It took me a while to find the perfect blazer. It goes well with both pants and skirts, it’s also very comfortable.


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3. Books

Good books are a must for fall! They are obviously great companions during long, fall evenings. So far, I enjoyed these two books the most this fall:

“American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins - while there’s a heated discussion about this book, I can’t deny that I couldn’t put it down.

Synopsis: Lydia Quixano Pérez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable…

“Educated” by Tara Westover - it’s easy to forget at times that this book is actually a biography.

Synopsis: Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard.

4. Green Heels

I’ve been eyeing these Sam Edelman heels for a while as they’re supposed to be not just beautiful but also easy to walk in and quite comfortable. They didn’t disappoint and are the most comfortable pair of heels I own.

5. Photo of the season: Shammy

It’s always very hard to choose a favorite photo of the season as they’re all special to me. There’s something about this image though as I feel the expression, composition and even the outfit came so beautifully together.

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6. Sweaters & dresses

If you know me personally, you might already know that I adore wearing dresses with sweaters in the fall. It’s such a photogenic outfit and I don’t see it out there enough. It’s feminine, comfortable and creative.

7. “Normal People”

Based on Sally Rooney’s New York Times best-selling novel, “Normal People” tracks the tender but complicated relationship of Marianne and Connell from the end of their school days.

I read Rooney’s book few months back and learned from one of my clients that CBC streams a tv show based on it. I found it excellent and couldn’t stop watching it.

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I hope you enjoyed these Fall Favorites & found them inspiring! Enjoy your fall,

xoxo

Agnes

Ranaa

Mortgage Specialist Ranaa

Mortgage Specialist Ranaa

It was so fun to work with Mortgage Specialist Ranaa!

Her happy nature and attitude made this project a breeze and made it possible to capture countless stunning photos.

You’ve got the skills and positive vibes to wake the best of individuals...
loved every minute of our session, thank u!
— Ranaa

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Summer Favorites 2020

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My favourite season is here and it’s HOT!

Our studio is open again and we’re slowly getting back into our groove. It’s a challenging time for everyone so I’m grateful my favourite season is here. I always feel super creative in summer!

  1. Outdoor Studio

Several weeks ago I fell in love with the idea of an outdoor studio. It looks so breezy and unique, it also has a bit of that ‘behind the scenes’ look. I’m beyond excited to start shooting here and will share outdoor studio photos with you soon.

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2. “Normal People” by Sally Rooney

It’s been my first book by Sally Rooney and I can’t wait for more. She has an incredible way of writing about everyday events. I think Maureen Corrigan has said it best: “Sally Rooney could write a novel about bath mats and I’d still read it. She’s that good and that singular a writer”

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3. Art of Marina accessories

Marina is a watercolor artist and her accessories are DIVINE for summer! This soft palm pattern is my absolute favourite, so I got a kimono, a phone case and a pillow too.

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4. Summer Outfits

My favourite outfits this summer include a white dress and a unique shirt. My wardrobe is very classic but I always look for little details that make the clothes special. The shirt I found is obviously very different and I love it! The white lace dress is perfect for HOT summer days and very comfortable.

5. Keto Creamer

My diet is usually a low carb/keto hybrid however I’ve been giving to unhealthy cravings way too much recently. I’m glad the weather is hot now and I don’t feel the need to eat unhealthy foods so much anymore. I’m diving back into healthier options and this keto creamer is perfect for coffee!

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6. Decorating with plants

I love plants and I think they are so photogenic! Cactuses and pampass grass are my summer favourites.

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7. “When you find out the world is against you (and other funny memories about awful moments)” by Kelly Oxford

If you’re looking for a great, funny book to read by the pool or on a beach - this is it! Canadian Author Kelly Oxford shares her life stories and failures in a way that’s super heart-warming.

Kelly Oxford’s writing is hilarious and fearless. She’s the badass Canadian sister I never had
— Mindy Kaling
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Winter with Christie Ressel

Stylist Christie Ressel

Stylist Christie Ressel

New Year is here and January is almost over! For many of us the beggining of the new year is a great time to update our look.

This photoshoot with Christie Ressel features four lovely looks that I hope will inspire you to dress in a way that empowers you!

This second look brings back the 70s! Christie loves bell-bottom jeans and blazers and I have to say it’s a look that will always stay timeless.

Christie’s third outfit is such a good reminder to wear colour in winter. It’s an instant mood lifter, which we all need during long, Canadian winters…

Christie’s last look was quite special because all the items come from… Walmart! Yes, it may be hard to believe at first but a great stylist can find lovely outfits everywhere.


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Fall Favorites

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How are you enjoying fall?

It’s the season of warm tea & coffee, books, strolls through the park and cozy evenings.

This fall I made sure to have some time to relax and spoil myself since it’s been a very busy year, not just because of work but also private life.

I did some shopping, I took a trip and of course spent a lot of evenings reading and watching good shows.

Here’s a few of my fall favorites:

  1. Heart Cardigan

    This is my definite favorite when it comes to new sweaters this season! It’s really warm, cute and versatile. I love putting it over dresses when I go out and over other sweaters when I need to be very warm.

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2. Quebec City

This fall, together with my husband I took my first trip ever to Quebec City. I instantly fell in love and even super cold weather didn’t stop us from exploring. Old world charm, great restaurants and beautiful views - what more can you want?

I wish it was closer to Toronto!

3. Photo of the Season

It’s incredibly hard to choose a favorite fall photo, because it’s such a photogenic season…

I keep coming back to this photo of Christie, because I love everything about it. The scenery, the pose, the expression, the outfit!

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4. “Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides

Fall is when I spend a LOT of time reading. Thrillers are one of my favorite genres and I always browse through them at bookstores and the library.

Sometimes when you love a genre it can be hard to keep finding great books. “Silent Patient” was such a treat for me! I definitely did not see the ending coming. If you like thrillers, I highly recommend it!

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5. Quote

Those of you who know me personally know how I value service. I believe that when you do what you truly love, you not only give to someone but to yourself as well.

There’s so much you can learn about yourself and there’s so much personal growth coming from it. I want to add that good service should always be within healthy boundaries.

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I hope you enjoyed my Fall Favorites and found them inspiring! Enjoy your fall!

xoxo

Agnes