Game-Changer: Personal Branding Lessons that Led Me to the Kings’ Court

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In a world saturated with social media influencers and content creators vying for our attention as we scroll through endless timelines, how do we truly set ourselves apart?

This question weighed on my mind when I discovered the Personal Branding course led by Lecturer Vanessa Errecarte offered to UC Davis MBA students at the Graduate School of Management.

What began as self-doubt about my ability to create a brand quickly evolved into one of the most valuable learning experiences of my academic career. Errecarte, a UC Davis MBA alumna herself, has been one of the most inspiring teachers I've had the privilege to learn from as a Sacramento Part-Time MBA student!

Balancing work and studies, I appreciated that the intensive weekend Personal Branding course was condensed into a single session during the winter quarter. This format, along with in-person core classes scheduled every other weekend, creates an ideal learning environment for professionals like me, who also work full-time. Even the pre-class assignments were thoughtfully designed to be manageable within my busy schedule.

Challenges of Building a Personal Brand on Social Media

My previous attempt at launching a personal brand as a photographer during my undergraduate years had left me frustrated.

Despite my efforts, I found myself drowning in a sea of Instagram reels and TikTok dances. I hoped Errecarte's class would provide insights into building a brand—and it delivered on day one.

The experience began with a revealing self-audit that helped me recognize I had far more to share than I initially believed. Errecarte's powerful insight—that we are all experts of our own experiences and interests—challenged the imposter syndrome that had previously held me back.

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We then explored industry dynamics as part of this professional development journey, learning valuable strategies and tools employed by successful brands that have helped companies and individuals become household names. By the final day, we were ready to synthesize our learnings into concrete brand outlines tailored to our unique strengths and passions.

The self-audit proved to be the most transformative. I had mistakenly believed that building a personal brand around photography required first achieving professional success in that field.

However, I discovered that creating a strong brand identity means authentic brands, like people themselves, are multidimensional. In fact, the more genuinely we incorporate different aspects of ourselves into our brands, the more distinctive they become. Through thoughtful reflection about my passions, I arrived at a compelling vision: representing my cultural heritage through the twin lenses of food and photography.

Sabor y Soul

I'm thrilled to announce that, armed with these valuable lessons and supported by Errecarte and my network, I've launched my blog, Sabor y Soul. This blog serves as both my creative portfolio and a platform where I authentically share my passion for cultural storytelling through authentic food photography and personal narratives. I invite you to join me on this adventure and perhaps discover inspiration for your own personal branding journey along the way.

Taking My Shot with the Sacramento Kings

One of the most exciting moments of my MBA journey came at Golden 1 Center, where I had the honor of representing the Graduate School of Management during a Sacramento Kings game. The UC Davis GSM is the official higher education partner of the NBA team.

In front of a capacity crowd, including UC Davis alumni, students, future Aggies, and the UC Davis Dance Team, I had the opportunity to participate in an on-court contest during a break in the game. With the crowd cheering, I sank several baskets in just 45 seconds, winning a Kings jersey and a GSM swag bag! This unforgettable experience reinforced the power of personal branding—not just in online presence but in real-world opportunities that arise when you put yourself out there.

The confidence I gained from the Personal Branding course played a huge role in helping me embrace this moment, proving that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to game-changing experiences.