Why Separating Yourself From Your Business Brand Is a Smart Marketing Move

Jan 26
3 min read

In the last blog I was emphatic that the biggest marketing trend for 2026 was going to be YOU.

Well…

I kind of want to amend that now.

Yes, I stand by authenticity and human centered marketing being the way to go in 2026 (and honestly in life). People want to hear from people. They want to connect with real individuals and know that there is a face behind the flash.

However, YOU ARE NOT YOUR BUSINESS BRAND and that matters. There are absolutely parts of you embedded in your brand: your vision, ideas, tastes, and decisions all shape your business. But you and your business are not the same.

Ok so what does this mean for marketing your business brand? How can you show up “authentically” if there is no “you” to speak of?

Glad you asked!

The Difference Between You and Your Brand

There’s lots of differences between you and your business brand. You have quirks, moods, beliefs, influences, interests, etc that make you the lovely human you are. But these traits can be easily changed and shifted depending on your environment.

For instance: You’re at dinner with a friend. You say that you are stuffed, but then that decadent chocolate lava cake passes by. And well, maybe you do have room for a little more. That flexibility, the ability to change your mind whenever and however, is human and what helps you evolve and grow.

But your business brand needs stability, consistency, and continuity. So while your opinions, personality, and tastes are make you awesome, your business brand should stand on three foundational elements:

Purpose- why does your business exist?
Pillars- what does your business value? What does it stand for?
Promise- What does your business guarantee to deliver? In experiences? In results?

As a business owner you absolutely shape this framework. but the key difference is, your personal brand is about you while your business brand is about the people your business shows up for.

Your Business Brand Can Have an Authentic Voice (Even If It’s Not Yours)

As a small business owner it can be difficult to separate yourself from your business, especially if you are wearing many hats including the marketing one. But if you shift your focus to center the business brand, you’ll realize that its authentic voice naturally develops from its purpose, pillars, and promise all designed to connect with your audience. So here are some things to keep in mind:

Your brand can have a voice that’s distinct from yours. It can be more polished or playful as long as it aligns with your values.

Your brand voice should create the emotional connection you want your audience to feel.

Your storytelling should consistently reflect your brand’s purpose and promises, not your own.

When your business speaks in its own authentic voice, it becomes easier for your audience to trust it and for you to manage it sustainably.

Why Separating from your Business Brand Matters to Your Marketing

In this digital age where it seems that everything is now available online, it can feel impossible to maintain any sense of privacy or to avoid the feeling of constant performance. Separating yourself from the business helps you create clearer content & stronger messaging, the audience learn what to expect, and you get room to evolve as a person distinctly from the brand. Separating the personal and business “you” is one the most strategic marketing decisions you can make.

At the end of the day, yes, people do buy from people. But more importantly, they buy from brands that reflect values they believe in. By separating yourself from your brand just enough to give it its own authentic identity, you create something that can thrive far beyond you while still feeling completely true.

Ok, so now that you know where you end and your brand begins let’s get ready to conquer 2026!