The most important brand in the world… you.

Can you guess how many brand messages you see each day?

Here’s a hint - it’s a LOT. Researchers estimate that each of us is exposed to 6,000 - 10,000 ads daily.

Between social media, search and display ads, emails, and even good old-fashioned billboards and bus stop benches, brands are everywhere.

The same holds true for you. While personal branding seems like something we’ve been saying forever, the term itself only goes back to 1997, when Tom Peters popularized it in his article, "The Brand Called You," in Fast Company.

But the concept of personal branding has been with us throughout time. Here’s a fun example. Julius Caesar used inscriptions, statues and coins to cement his identity.

Today, building and nurturing your personal brand can have an even greater impact than ending up with a salad named after you.

Your personal brand is often the first thing people notice about you—before they even meet you.

Whether you're a tech professional, entrepreneur, job seeker, or industry leader, personal branding is a powerful tool that can open doors, create opportunities, and establish your credibility.

And there’s no better place to build your personal brand than on LinkedIn.

Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn is designed for business, career growth, and industry thought leadership, making it the perfect place to build your personal brand.

A strong LinkedIn presence builds credibility and authority in your field. LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes thought leadership and engagement, allowing your content to reach thousands—even millions— of people organically.

C-level executives, hiring managers, investors, and business leaders actively engage on LinkedIn, so you can connect directly with people who can influence your career or business.

And finally, your LinkedIn brand follows you, no matter where you work. Thought leaders with strong brands get speaking invitations, partnerships and media features.

Want to chat more about your personal brand on LinkedIn? Click here!

Neelu Sethi: "Results matter. Everything else is a conversation."

It’s so inspiring to me to see people break the mold - and that’s exactly what happened with Neelu Sethi.

Born in India at a time when most girls became wives and homemakers, Neelu’s parents wanted more for her - and she and her sisters got it!

Neelu is now Global CIO of Brinks and a multiple award-winning digital transformation leader who has worked in a variety of industries.

Here are some highlights from our chat:

• Take action no matter where you are, no matter what your goal is, when you take that first step, the rest of the journey guides you on what the second step and the third step is.
• My gymnastics coach said, throw your heart over the vault and your body will follow.
• Always remember the H words of humility and humbleness. Always remember where you were and where you came from.

Watch the full interview here!

You may also enjoy this episode from Season 1 where Valerie Freeman, CEO at BravoTECH and Freeman+Leonard, offers advice on how to get “unstuck” at your job among other great ideas.

Content tip:

Storytelling to Illustrate Your Points

This newsletter started off by discussing the importance of your personal brand. Here’s a powerful way to build that brand - telling stories! Here’s a short video about it.

A little inspiration:

Know & practice your craft like it's an obsession and no one stands a chance against you. Today, an incredible video appeared in my Instagram feed. It celebrated the thousands of musical guests that have appeared on Saturday Night Live across its 50 years. Watch this video and notice how intricately it's been stitched and edited together so it's seamless, harmonious and takes you on a journey through time. Shout out to Ahmir “QUESTLOVE” Thompson and Oz Rodriguez for directing it - their gift of musical genius is unquestionable after seeing this video. A reminder for all of us to hone in on our own genius - no matter how niche. There is an audience and community for it.

Upcoming Tech Events:

​The CG Hour LinkedIn Live Show - Small Margins, Big Risks: How Fraud Hurts Texas Energy Retail - Wed Feb 19th, 12pm CST

​DFW Technology Prayer Breakfast - Join 1000+ tech professionals on Wed Oct 1 for networking and community. Get a preview here.

​New York Toy Fair 2025 - I'm headed to NYC from Mar 1-4 to learn all about tech, AI, toys and collectibles. Embracing fun and technology. Exciting LinkedIn Live show coming this year that will combine all these passions! Let me know if you're into collectibles and what you collect.

​InnoTech Austin 2025 - the Technology and Security Conference, creates an environment where education, innovation, peer-to-peer networking and the latest technology and business solutions are all available specifically for IT professionals. Mar 27, 2025.

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Thank you to our Tech Legacies sponsor, CG Infinity!

Huge thank you to CG Infinity for sponsoring our podcast so we are able to feature these tech leaders with their perspectives and insights. Follow their company page to learn about their tech consulting services and #peoplefirst culture.

Shout out to our partner, Tech CXO Launchpad!

Shout out to our partners at Tech CxO LaunchPad. Their next cohort starts Mar 6! Connect with Karen Bruno to learn more about the Program, the benefits, the outcomes, and how this Program provides a blueprint for new C-Level Execs or the path to the C-Suite for rising stars.

Now we want to hear from you, Reader

What is something you're obsessed with that's turned you into an expert?

Fanny

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