Gravitas WINS Radio

**Joseph Jude:** Hello and welcome to Gravitas WINS Conversations. I'm your host, Joseph Jude. Personal branding is not a new idea. In 1997, Tom Peters wrote an essay called *The Brand Called You*. In it, he asked, *“What do you do that adds remarkable, measurable, distinguished, distinctive value?”*

Joining me today to unpack personal branding is **Sejal Sud**. She is known for her work in personal branding, entrepreneurship, and social media growth. She has hosted interviews with industry leaders like the founder of Thyrocare, closed high-impact brand deals, and runs Twitter Spaces focused on financial literacy, personal growth, and book reviews.

I have joined some of these Twitter Spaces and, as a techie, I can say she has stress-tested Twitter’s infrastructure with hundreds of people joining each session. I like to talk to people who walk the talk and talk the walk. Sejal is definitely one of them. Sejal, welcome to the conversation.

**Sejal Sud:** Thank you so much, Joseph, and thank you for being such a kind host and for such a kind introduction.

**Joseph Jude:** Sejal, let's start with this. What is personal branding for you, and how did you get started in this journey? This is probably a contrarian path you’ve chosen. Why did you choose it? Was it accidental or intentional? Can you walk me through that?

### What is Personal Branding?

**Sejal Sud:** I’ll break the question into two parts: what is a personal brand, and how I got started.

A personal brand, in my view, is your unique take on ideas or truths that may already exist. Anything that needs to be said in the universe has already been said by someone before us. The personal brand is your perspective, shaped by your life, experiences, and understanding.

For example, if you talk about a particular strategy, others may have written about it and taught it. But when you share it, you bring your own life examples and societal observations. That nuance makes it *yours*, and people begin to associate that perspective with you. That is how I see a personal brand.

### How Sejal Started

**Sejal Sud:** I got started with social media in school. I loved learning but wasn’t keen on formal academic study. I told my parents early on that while I would complete my education, I wasn’t aiming for top marks or competitive entrance exams. I promised to pass my exams, avoid trouble, and eventually earn my own income.

My parents accepted that I was wired differently. They supported my choices in subjects like French instead of Hindi and public speaking instead of computers, knowing I excelled at communication. From a very young age, I was talkative—nicknamed “Chatterbox” in nursery—and loved engaging with people everywhere.

In 2018–2019, my mother suggested starting a YouTube channel. Although I could speak on stage, I found cameras intimidating. I made one YouTube video, then stopped. Later, after meeting you, Joseph, you encouraged me to publish daily on LinkedIn. At 18, I began posting every day, drawing from unique experiences and early exposure to founders and entrepreneurs.

LinkedIn felt like an echo chamber, so I moved to Instagram, but creating carousels was time-consuming. A friend insisted I try Twitter. I resisted at first, thinking it was too political, but eventually created an account in March 2021. I began posting daily, treating it like a public journal, while learning skills in social media marketing, design, and negotiation.

Work opportunities came through my growing network. Founders and CEOs noticed my understanding of algorithms and my professional approach to payments and collaboration. I kept costs low by hiring friends and operating lean. Over time, small consistent actions—what you call the flywheel effect—created real momentum for my personal brand.

### Is Personal Branding Only for Young People?

**Joseph Jude:** Is personal branding only for young people showing off, or is it for business and professionals as well? What is your take?

**Sejal Sud:** Everyone has a brand or reputation that precedes them, both online and offline. The difference is whether you take control of the narrative. When you are intentional about shaping how people perceive you, that becomes your personal brand.

In earlier times, people invested in physical real estate. Today, we also invest in digital real estate—our online presence, our followership, and our authenticity. This levels the playing field. Social media allows people to raise funds, find mentors, and build networks without the traditional gatekeepers. It is for everyone, not just the young.

### The Upside of Personal Branding

**Joseph Jude:** What kind of opportunities has personal branding opened up for you?

**Sejal Sud:** Many. For example, I attended a friend’s company IPO—something that happened because we first connected through my Twitter Spaces. I have met and learned from CEOs and senior leaders who would have been inaccessible otherwise. I have consulted brands on social media, received client referrals, and secured brand deals.

Opportunities are not limited to my field. A friend of mine posted about coding on YouTube and was approached by an edtech company to tutor. Being visible online lets you make asymmetric bets and access opportunities others might not get, not because they lack talent, but because they have not yet acted or been seen.

### The Flywheel Effect

**Joseph Jude:** You mentioned the flywheel model earlier. How does it apply to personal branding?

**Sejal Sud:** A flywheel is when one action leads to another, compounding over time. For example, a young athlete could document their journey, attracting both public support and brand sponsorships. Public visibility can push officials or stakeholders to act, and over time, more opportunities emerge—like endorsements or speaking gigs.

The same applies in other fields. Developers sharing their coding journey can get offers for remote roles or even donations for equipment. The point is to do the right things consistently, make your work visible, and let momentum build.

### Building Courage

**Joseph Jude:** You often talk about courage. How do you define it and build it?

**Sejal Sud:** Courage is confidence with evidence. Many people appear confident but lack the foundation to back it up, leading to imposter syndrome. Real courage comes from having proof of your ability.

Part of courage is trying things outside your comfort zone. That might mean starting a public conversation, experimenting with new formats, or taking on projects where you are not yet an expert. You do not need to master everything—just be willing to learn and act.

### Advice for Starting Today

**Joseph Jude:** If someone wanted to start building their personal brand today, what would you advise?

**Sejal Sud:** First, understand why people follow you. It could be because they like you, admire your success, or want to learn from you. Know which category you are in and which you want to be in.

Second, be clear about your goals. If you are young, your goal may simply be exploration. If you are a professional, you might aim to change jobs, attract clients, or find co-founders. Social media is today’s business card—craft your narrative and share it intentionally.

### The Double-Edged Sword

**Joseph Jude:** Personal branding can backfire. Can you explain?

**Sejal Sud:** A strong personal brand can help a company, but it can also harm it if the individual behaves in ways that clash with public expectations. Elon Musk’s tweets, for example, have affected perceptions of Tesla. Similarly, leaders’ offhand remarks or controversial stances can impact brand reputation.

On the positive side, founder-led brands can be powerful. When done right, they humanize the business and create trust. But the risks are real, and leaders must be mindful that they are always representing their brand.

### Sejal’s Future Plans

**Joseph Jude:** What are your future plans for your personal brand?

**Sejal Sud:** I am shifting toward video content, learning cinematography, and exploring how visuals and storytelling work. I am also interested in understanding technology trends like AI—not to build the tools, but to use them effectively, much like driving a car without needing to be a mechanic.

### Rapid Fire Questions

**Joseph Jude:** What is the kindest thing someone has done for you?

**Sejal Sud:** A friend once listened to me for two hours when I was struggling, then said, “Don’t thank me. Someone was kind to me before. Just be kind to the next person.”

**Joseph Jude:** What is the best leadership quality you have seen?

**Sejal Sud:** My younger sister is the best leader I know. She believes in me, encourages me, and teaches me without judgment. She leads with trust and affirmation.

**Joseph Jude:** What is your definition of living a good life?

**Sejal Sud:** Having my family close, but no intrusive neighbors. Waking up free to choose my day. And if I can afford to raise five children in today’s economy the way I want to, that will be a sign I am truly rich.

**Joseph Jude:** Sejal, thank you for sharing your insights on personal branding. I hope our listeners enjoyed this conversation. If you did, please share your key takeaways and spread the word.