In celebration of Women's Entrepreneurship Day, Valeska Pederson Hintz and Wendy Moore of Perkins Coie hosted a fireside chat with Elisa Schreiber and Priya Cherian Huskins on the theme of "Command Your Narrative: Building a Resilient Personal Brand for Women Entrepreneurs."
Elisa, a partner at Greylock and a marketing powerhouse known for her work with iconic startups, and Priya, a senior vice president at Woodruff Sawyer and an expert in risk and corporate governance, shared incredible insights. It was an inspiring evening with a room full of influential entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders. Elisa and Priya offered actionable strategies for amplifying influence, building standout companies, and protecting personal brands. If you couldn't join us—or want a quick recap—here are the top 10 takeaways from our discussion:
- Everyone Has a Brand: Even if you think you do not have a personal brand, you do. People already have an opinion about you, whether you have actively done anything to shape or influence that impression. Taking control of your personal brand narrative is essential. Be the author of your own story instead of letting others define it for you.
- Differentiate Yourself: Without a differentiated brand, you are just another commodity. Your brand can set you apart in a competitive landscape. Just as consumers choose products based on brand over features, your brand can highlight why others should collaborate with you.
- Be an Advocate for Your Brand: Communicate what you want people to say about you. Be clear and intentional. Don't be afraid to say, "When people ask you about me, I would like you to tell them…"
- Discover Your Brand: To understand your brand, seek feedback from trusted colleagues, advisors, and friends. Ask them what they say when others ask about you. Avoid assumptions about how others perceive you—genuine insight will inform your personal branding efforts.
- Leverage Your Soft Power: Financial resources represent "hard power." In contrast, your brand serves as a source of "soft power," enabling you to influence and persuade the people and world around you. This ability not only helps you achieve desired outcomes but can also pave the way to acquiring hard power. Essentially, a strong brand enhances your capacity for influence, leading to personal and professional success while boosting your earning potential. Invest in your brand, and use it strategically.
- Choose Authentic Brand-Building Tools: Social media can be a powerful brand-building tool, but it's not for everyone. If you can't imagine yourself as a podcast host, that's okay. There are many other ways to build a brand. Explore alternatives like hosting events, writing newsletters, teaching, or leading workshops to convey your brand authentically. Find and use the tools that feel authentic to you. Your brand will be stronger as a result.
- Consistency Is Key: Just as with fitness, successful brand building requires a commitment to consistency. A brand is not built overnight. Regular engagement and branding efforts will strengthen your presence over time—build your brand daily, not just occasionally.
- Make Strategic Choices: Successfully building your brand often requires you to decline opportunities that don't align with the brand you're trying to build. While this selective approach may feel limiting, it ultimately creates space and freedom to pursue the opportunities you truly want.
- Assess Your Brand Journey: Think of your brand development as a "road trip" with distinct stages: building, protecting, investing in, and spending your brand. When evaluating opportunities, identify the current stage of your journey. For example, if you are in the building stage, ask yourself, "Does this decision align with and strengthen the brand I'm trying to create?" By reflecting on the stage of your journey, you can make more intentional and strategic choices for your brand.
- Embrace Change: Your brand is not static. It evolves. As you change, so should your personal brand.
About the Authors
Valeska Pederson Hintz
Valeska helps close the deals and navigate the challenges that are part of the journey from Series A to IPO for companies and investors. Having worked on multiple unicorn deals and over a dozen IPOs, Valeska brings unparalleled expertise to her clients. She acts as the first point of contact for growth-stage companies, helping management teams establish corporate and governance structures that enable their long-term success. Valeska helps investors shepherd their investment process and provides strategic advice on acquisitions, IPOs, tender offers, and other liquidity events.
Wendy Moore
With over two decades of Silicon Valley startup experience, Washington, D.C.-based business lawyer Wendy L. Moore counsels on executive compensation, including equity compensation, employment benefits, and corporate governance. Transactional counsel on executive compensation and employee benefits, particularly in M&A deals, is a major practice focus. Her technology-centered industry experience includes blockchain/distributed ledger technology, fintech, biotech, health tech, medical devices, cybersecurity, IoT, data analytics, and SaaS.
Elizabeth Betsy Holland
While attending Stanford Law School, Betsy served as the managing editor of the Stanford Law & Policy Review, was a member of the Women of Stanford Law, participated in the Organizations and Transactions Clinic, and served as a representative member of the Stanford Law Association. Betsy also earned her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, where she was a member of Georgetown's NCAA Division I women's lacrosse team.
