At the start of the year, I said personal branding would be one of the things to watch in 2025—and here we are, seeing exactly why it’s so important.
Here’s the thing no one really tells you about running your own business—you’re always part of the deal. Like it or not, your personal brand is tied to your business, and if you’re not careful, it can throw everything off track. This isn’t about being fake or pretending to be someone you’re not (authenticity still matters, by the way). It’s about making sure the “you” people see aligns with the kind of clients you actually want.
And honestly, this is something worth keeping an eye on. Just look at Elon Musk. Oh wait, you can’t—he’s too busy alienating half the planet while diving headfirst into a PR disaster. Anyone else grabbing the popcorn?
The Elon-Tesla Drama (Or, How to Lose Your Audience by Aligning with The Enemy)
Tesla’s biggest fans often include the eco-conscious, progressive crowd—people who prioritise sustainability and want to reduce their impact on the environment. Many see owning a Tesla as a way to help the planet while enjoying cutting-edge technology and design.
Plot twist: Elon Musk’s recent dive into far-right politics has turned him into one of the most disliked men in the world. By embracing ideologies that don’t exactly resonate with Tesla’s core audience, he’s practically holding up a giant neon sign that says, “Maybe look elsewhere!” Oh, and let’s not forget the whole Twitter (or X? Whatever it’s called now) fiasco. Yeah, that didn’t help either.
The result? People are ditching Tesla faster than ever. It’s not just about the cars and the future anymore—it’s about Elon. And for a lot of people, that’s a dealbreaker. He’s become a cultural lightning rod, and now everyone’s picking sides.
Meanwhile, Polestar is swooping in and taking advantage of the chaos. They’re offering deals to Tesla owners who want to trade in their cars. Smart move, right? It’s catching the attention of disillusioned Tesla fans and proving just how much a personal brand can make—or break—a business. And to top it all off, he even managed to turn Trump into a car salesman, practically pitching Teslas on the White House lawn. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
So, what’s the takeaway here for businesses like yours or mine?
Keep Your Brand Aligned—Don’t Burn It to the Ground
When you’re putting yourself or your business out there—whether it’s on social media, in interviews, or just networking—you’ve got to make sure your message actually connects with your audience. If it doesn’t, you might as well be slamming the door in their faces. And let’s be honest, that’s not exactly a winning strategy.
Here’s how to avoid making a mess of it:
1. Know who you’re talking to.
Who are your ideal clients? What do they care about? What completely turns them off? If you’re not sure, stop reading and figure it out. Seriously.
2. Match your personal and business vibe.
Your personal brand doesn’t have to be exactly like your business, but they need to feel connected. People want to relate to the person behind the scenes. If you’re all about drama while your business preaches “community and connection,” you’re just confusing everyone.
3. Choose your battles.
You’re human. You’ve got opinions, passions, and things that annoy you. Totally fine! But pick what you share carefully. Not every hill is worth dying on—especially if it alienates your audience.
At the end of the day, staying connected to your audience is about understanding them, aligning your values, and being intentional about what you share. Don’t pull an Elon—learn from the chaos.
Don’t Be Elon. Be Authentic.
Unlike Elon, you don’t have billions in sales to cushion the blowback if your personal brand tanks your business. What you do have is the power to make smart choices about how you’re showing up.
The good news? It’s not about being perfect. People actually love imperfection—it’s honest and, if you handle it right, relatable.
But there’s still a balancing act. Align your values, stay true to who you are, and don’t become the reason people run away from your business. The last thing you want is for clients to think, “Great product, shame about the person running things.”
And hey, if Polestar can swoop in and win over Tesla defectors, you can absolutely win over your audience by staying authentic, aligned, and intentional. Now, get it together, show your personality, but for the love of all things holy, don’t set your business on fire to make a point. Deal?
