Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

Conferences offer incredible opportunities to network, learn, and strengthen your personal brand—but only if you’re prepared to make the most of them. With the right approach, you can expand your mindset, build valuable connections, and uncover new insights. To help you get there, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide using one of my favorite tools: an acronym!In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll discover how to maximize your personal brand impact at conferences. We’ll cover crafting an effective elevator pitch, setting clear goals, networking with purpose, and following up to create lasting connections that truly matter.2:00 - Crafting your elevator pitch: what to include, the value of adding fun facts, and the importance of how you sound as you introduce yourself8:21 - Organizing your goals for conferences: suggestions, recommendations, and the benefit of flexibility10:56 - Networking with intent: how to prepare beforehand and the importance of quality over quantity13:13 - Following up effectively: how to make connections, use streamlining tools, and approach your follow-up messages16:50 - Engaging before and after the conference: how to use social media and prepare for and continue conversations online19:07 - Researching the event: how to use the past to maximize your opportunities20:32 - Elevating your online presence: what you can do before you attend any conference23:20 - Navigating the conference agenda: tools to plan your schedule and how to add value and leave time for decompression and self-care26:45 - Creating branded materials: suggestions for easy connection and communicating key information28:35 - Engaging authentically: how to appear in conversations and what to avoid while conversing with other peopleMentioned In How to Prepare for a Conference to Maximize Your Personal Brand ImpactCorporate Counsel Women of Color Conference Branding Room Only Interview With Laurie Robinson Haden: Shining Brightly - Part 1Branding Room Only Interview With Laurie Robinson Haden: Shining Brightly - Part 2Personal Branding Boosters and Bruisers: Attending ConferencesMaximize Your Event Attendance: 12 Strategies to Amplify Your Personal BrandPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Sponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplacWe're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

Rest isn't a bonus. It's a necessity for clarity, creativity, and longevity. In a world that praises busyness and normalizes burnout, stepping back is often the most powerful way to propel yourself forward. And it doesn’t mean you have to disappear completely, either. During my recent break, I intentionally balanced meaningful, soul-filling engagements with genuine rest and joy.So in this episode of Branding Room Only, I reflect on my summer sabbatical and offer a refreshing take on what it truly means to step away and embrace joy. I discuss how taking a break is a strategic move that recalibrates me and allows me to come back with renewed energy and purpose, while encouraging you to embrace it as a core part of your personal brand growth and strategy.0:55 – How I showed up intentionally and selectively during my summer sabbatical3:11 – How I engaged in joy and maintained visibility without constant activity5:04 – How resting fueled my creativity and strategic thinking during my sabbatical6:47 – Your takeaway and permission to prioritize rest and joyMentioned In Sabbatical Reflections: How Rest & Joy Recharge and Redefine Your Personal BrandSummer Sabbaticals and “Sorta” Sabbaticals for Personal Brand GrowthPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeNational Bar AssociationProfessional Development ConsortiumAmerican Bar Association | Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement AwardsNew York City Bar AssociationCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more personal branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.We're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

Too many professionals—especially in the legal field—spend so much time focused on delivering excellent work that they forget to build a personal brand that reflects it. That oversight becomes clearer with each career transition, leadership aspiration, or missed opportunity to stand out.That’s why I had to bring this episode back.Sonya Olds Som is an experienced executive recruiter, former practicing attorney, and someone who has worked at the highest levels of legal talent strategy and search. She’s also a connector, a trailblazer, and a dear friend.In honor of her birthday on August 14, I’m celebrating her brilliance, her advocacy, and her impact with this special re-release of one of my earliest and most powerful Branding Room Only conversations.In this episode of Branding Room Only, Sonya and I talk about what it really takes to build a visible, credible, and strategic personal brand—especially in industries like law where branding often takes a backseat. 2:24 – Sonya’s elevator pitch and how she defines personal branding5:32 – The phrase Sonya uses to describe herself and how it ties into her favorite quote7:30 – How connection can bridge what seems like insurmountable gaps11:29 – How Sonya built and evolved her personal brand throughout her career17:33 – Why people often get the concept of authenticity wrong 18:32 – The impact of COVID on deeper authenticity, connection, and accessibility23:32 – The two biggest mistakes people make with networking and brand building31:12 – Specific mistakes in-house attorneys make in the business development department36:54 – Sonya’s advice to begin building your brand40:08 – Pushback against the thought of branding as “braggy” and too self-promotional42:40 – A common courtesy that can be a brand killer if you fail to follow it48:52 – Sonya’s uncompromisable brand aspect and the special experience she brings to the roomMentioned In The Strategic Power of Intentional Connection with Sonya Olds SomDiversified Search GroupSonya Olds Som on LinkedInSonya’s Branding Room Only Hype Song Playlist American Writers Museum OnWord2025 Gala on September 8 Girls Inc. of Chicago Strong Smart Bold Awards Gala on October 9“If You Stay Ready, You Don’t Have to Get Ready” by Sonya Olds SomDressed in JoyHarriet’s BookshopGallery GuichardPassionEats CateringLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferPGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded We're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

Discover the essentials of personal branding, starting with self-reflection and shaping your narrative. Learn how to identify your guiding brand words and craft impactful brand statements. Auditing your digital presence is crucial—are you aligning it with your aspirations? Dive into the power of specificity to resonate with your audience and build genuine connections. Plus, consistency is key in showing up and cultivating trust. Take control of your brand journey and become the wind, not just the leaf!

Presenting a strong personal brand as a leader is paramount, but it's about more than just perception. It's about how you operate and the value you bring. Lonita K. Baker understands this connection intimately. Her impactful career has spanned multiple sectors and roles, from public defender to prosecutor to representing Breonna Taylor's family, and now serving as Professor of Practice at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and past president of the National Bar Association.Lonita's journey teaches us that career pivots aren't just possible, they're powerful when done with intention. She's reached her influential positions by staying true to her values, knowing her worth, and never compromising on being genuinely herself. Most importantly, she's learned that helping others isn't just good karma, it's good business.In this re-release, as the National Bar Association celebrates its centennial, Paula and Lonita discuss embracing leadership, making strategic career moves, and why knowing your value is non-negotiable. Whether you're considering a pivot, stepping into leadership, or simply wanting to build a more authentic personal brand, Lonita's insights will resonate.2:12 – How Lonita defines personal brand and why helping others has shaped her trajectory5:14 – Lonita's favorite Muhammad Ali quote and other Louisville connections you might not know8:23 – The '90s hip hop and gospel music that lifts Lonita up when she needs it10:12 – How Lonita embraced her leadership role and learned to own being "the badass that I am"14:24 – Why the Breonna Taylor case opened unexpected doors and led to her in-house position21:06 – The strategic thinking behind Lonita's move from public defender to prosecutor25:43 – Why flexibility and organizational alignment are crucial for ambitious professionals29:41 – Four essential pieces of advice for anyone wanting to ascend to leadership31:16 – What Lonita does for fun and the authentic brand aspect she'll never compromise36:00 – The empathetic quality that makes up Lonita's Branding Room Only magicMentioned In Career Pivots and Leadership Development with Lonita K. BakerDiva Attorney National Bar AssociationInformation on Breonna TaylorPaula Edgar National Bar Association Centennial Celebration Montage - YouTube Sign up for Paula’s Upcoming WebinarsLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferFollow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review.Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance profeWe're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

Your network often sees your magic before you do. J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network, proved this when her colleagues had to convince her that networking was actually her superpower. As my very first podcast guest, Kelly set the tone for what Branding Room Only is all about: clarity, candor, and community-centered insight.Kelly's brand is grounded in helping others succeed through meaningful connections. Her approach has transformed careers for countless entrepreneurs and leaders, and her journey from Big Law to entrepreneurship proves the power of strategic relationship building. In this special re-release, we dive deep into what personal branding really means, how your network reflects and reinforces your brand, and why your elevator pitch should be an invitation, not a monologue.Whether this is your first time hearing this conversation or you're back for a refresher, get ready to take notes. This episode is packed with foundational wisdom that never goes out of style.2:30 – What personal brand means to Kelly and why you need to listen to your network5:04 – Kelly's approach to elevator pitches and networking your ambitions11:11 – How Kelly describes herself and the Central Park analogy that changed everything16:14 – The Oscar Wilde quote that guides Kelly when she feels off track18:12 – Kelly's hype song from a Quincy Jones compilation20:00 – How Kelly's network convinced her to write Build Your Dream Network23:40 – Why personal branding became the confidence builder she needed27:04 – Mentors who shaped Kelly's career (including some unexpected lessons)31:45 – The pivotal career change that taught Kelly about plan B35:00 – The best advice about having a plan B (spoiler: you shouldn't have one)37:19 – The biggest networking mistake and why "don't be a jerk" is the real secret41:41 – Kelly's best advice for building your brand through your network43:25 – How to handle network feedback about your ambitions45:04 – Kelly's "Stand By Your Brand" moment and her networking magicMentioned In Building Your Personal Brand Through Authentic Connections with J. Kelly HoeyJ. Kelly Hoey Books by J. Kelly Hoey“Carla Harris | The 2016 MAKERS Conference” - YouTube“Rock With You” | Brandy and Heavy D | From Q. With Love - YouTubeNew York City Bar AssociationPearls of Power: How to Use Authenticity, Boldness, and Intentionality with Carla HarrisLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferFollow & Review: Help others find the podcast. Subscribe and leave a quick review.Sponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance profesWe're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

Taking a sabbatical isn't about disappearing from your business or your personal brand—it's about giving yourself the chance to make both better than ever. I've been taking what I call a summer sabbatical for the past five years, and it's become one of the most important things I do all year to strengthen my brand.I know not everyone can take two months off, which is why I also believe in what I call the "sorta” sabbatical—a more accessible approach that's just as effective when done with intention. Both approaches challenge the misconception that constant busyness signals value—and instead, they create space for the clarity and creativity your brand truly needs.In this episode of Branding Room Only, you'll discover how strategic pauses can enhance your personal brand, why your best ideas often come when you're not overwhelmed, and get a practical challenge to start building rest into your routine this week.1:12 – Why rest is a core branding strategy, not a break from your brand2:53 – What my summer sabbatical looks like every year3:48 – What a “sorta” sabbatical can look like for you if you can’t take a full one4:43 – The brand consequences of not taking the time to rest6:00 – Why pausing enhances your brand in the eyes of others6:51 – My challenge to you for this weekMentioned In Summer Sabbaticals and “Sorta” Sabbaticals for Personal Brand GrowthPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.We're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

You know how some birthdays feel bigger than others?My son just turned 13, and it hit me hard—in the best way.In this deeply personal episode of Branding Room Only, I reflect on seven powerful lessons my son has taught me. These lessons have shaped not only how I parent, but how I lead, communicate, and show up in the world. From courage and joy to boundaries and the boldness to ask for what you want, his influence, even at this young age, already runs deep.Because sometimes the most meaningful branding lessons come from the people closest to us.We often talk about personal branding in terms of LinkedIn, pitches, and positioning. But the truth is, your brand is shaped just as much by who you are at home—in moments of love, challenge, and growth—as it is in the boardroom.1:34 – The power of resilience my son started showing at one year old3:07 – Why I admire and want to emulate his audacity to ask (despite it testing my patience)4:04 – How Austin brings me joy and the realization he taught me about its gifts5:06 – The importance of having boundaries, standards, and self-respect6:13 – How my son reminds me of authenticity and its importance to branding7:01 – The difference between confidence and courage that he displays7:57 – The most transformative lesson of all that I continue to learn from Austin dailyMentioned In 7 Powerful Branding Lessons I’ve Learned From My SonDonate to Hassenfeld Children’s HospitalPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsSubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubePaula’s ResourcesLessons from My Mother, Hopes for My Daughter: On Mothering and What We Carry ForwardCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more branding insights? Join Paula’s newsletter for expert tips and exclusive content! Subscribe HereSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.We're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

Independence Day is on the horizon, and what better way to celebrate the spirit of freedom and new beginnings than revisiting a conversation with a true pioneer! Michele Coleman Mays redefined leadership and advocacy during her distinguished career. She has served as the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for The New York Public Library and had key roles at Allstate Insurance Company and Pitney Bowes Inc. During our conversation, she shared her unique lens on personal branding, leadership, and career development.In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about the difference between branding and reputation, the critical role of authenticity, and how to rethink the concept of retirement. Michele will also touch on various aspects and strategies in strong brand creation, best practices for enhancing your leadership and career skills, and more.2:26 - Michele’s personal branding definition, how she describes herself, a quote that’ll make you pause and think, and her hype songs7:00 - Two strategies that Michele used in building her personal brand9:07 - The evolution of Michele’s interaction with the business and leadership sides of different organizations12:12 - How personal branding and reputation differ and the necessity of keeping your audience in mind during interactions16:48 - Why you should still strive to access resources that help build your brand and skill set, even if you’re already at the top20:52 - The complexity of showing up authentically for minority groups in professional settings24:32 - Two things that surprised Michele the most while co-writing her book Courageous Counsel27:00 - Civic engagements that were integral to Michele’s career, how she reimagines the concept of retirement, and what she plans to do next33:05 - Two mistakes people make when networking for personal brand-building35:03 - What Michele always does for fun when traveling and her non-negotiable brand aspects, Branding Room Only Magic, and final words of adviceMentioned In Inspiring Independence: Reimagining Leadership and Branding with Michele Coleman MayesCourageous Counsel: Conversations with Women General Counsel in the Fortune 500 by Michele Coleman Mayes and Kara Sophia BaysingerMichele Coleman Mayes on LinkedInThe HistoryMakersCenter for Reproductive RightsAmerican College of Governance CounselBad Feminist by Roxane GaySubscribe to The Branding Room Only on YouTubeSponsor for this episodeThis episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.We're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.

Nina Blackshear has turned career pivots into an art form. As the owner and principal of Nina Blackshear Coaching and Consulting, she's a certified executive coach and in-house corporate attorney. Her unconventional path, from law school to real estate, to fundraising, to employee relations, to marketing communications, and back to law, has become her greatest professional asset. Her specialty is helping others overcome impostor syndrome, intense perfectionism, and the burnout that results from constant striving —challenges she has navigated personally.What started as a series of unexpected career detours has evolved into Nina's mission. Helping others (especially women of color) discover their superpowers and write their own stories in professional spaces that weren't designed for them. Her love language, as she puts it, is helping people discover their power, and she's built both her personal brand and coaching practice around that core belief.In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula Edgar and Nina dive deep into the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in building an authentic personal brand. They explore how to build EQ as a muscle, the unique challenges women of color face in professional spaces, and why knowing your non-negotiables is essential for leading confidently. Plus, they discuss the power of coaching, the importance of strategic networking, and why Nina believes we should all "do more giving and less taking" in our professional relationships.1:31 – What personal brand means to Nina, how she describes herself in three words, and her favorite motto and hype song4:51 – How being a Philly girl has shaped Nina’s personal brand7:45 – Nina’s education and multi-pivotal career, from law school to executive coaching16:20 – How Nina was able to hone her emotional intelligence (EQ)20:47 – How to build your emotional intelligence muscle (and find organizational leaders lacking it who can develop it)25:37 – How Nina helps clients (especially women of color) navigate professional spaces and write their own story32:00 – The key to leading confidently and working authentically and the power of having a coach38:13 – What causes most people to make personal branding mistakes (and how it often shows up in immigrant families)45:32 – The importance of a strategic supportive network to prep for a career pivot49:24 – The need for more reciprocity in professional relationships and building your own community51:56 – Nina’s “garbage soup” and the foundations of her personal brand and Branding Room Only magicMentioned In How Career Pivots Can Strengthen Your Personal Brand with Nina BlackshearNina Blackshear Coaching and ConsultingNational Black Law Students AssociationBreaking Barriers, Pioneering Career Paths, and Making a Positive Impact with Paula BoggsLearn More About Paula's Personal Branding Strategy Session OfferSponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influencWe're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.