This week, I’m taking a step back to wrestle with a question that’s been weighing on me, and I need your perspective. As I pour my heart into building this personal brand—through this newsletter, my blog, and my work with clients—I’ve been open about my journey. From chasing my entrepreneurial dreams full-time to moments like my daughter’s dance recital or my whirlwind trip to Nashville for StoryBrand certification, I’ve shared the highs, the risks, and even the doubts. But now I’m wondering: am I sharing too much personal stuff? And is that a strength or a stumble for my brand?

A personal brand is a unique beast. It’s not just about what we do—whether it’s coaching, creating content, or marketing for strategic partners like the five companies I’m working with. It’s about who we are. For me, that’s meant letting you into my world: my leap into entrepreneurship, my reflections on fatherhood, my excitement about tools like StoryBrand’s Marketing AI Agent. The goal has always been to connect, to show the real, messy human behind the blog, and to inspire you to chase your own dreams. But there’s a line somewhere—between authenticity and oversharing, between relatability and distraction—and I’m not sure where it’s drawn.

On one hand, being open builds trust. When I share stories—like booking a red-eye to Nashville or celebrating my daughter’s performance—it’s because I believe they show the grit and joy of building something meaningful. Those moments make the brand feel human, not just a polished pitch. They’re part of the value ladder, from this free newsletter to coaching and beyond, showing you who I am before you invest in what I offer. But on the other hand, I wonder if it’s too much. Does the personal stuff overshadow the professional? Does it make the brand feel scattered, or worse, unpolished? After all, a personal brand is for each of us to define individually, but it still needs to serve its audience—you.

So, I’m turning to you for advice. You’re the ones reading, engaging, and (hopefully) finding value in this journey. What do you think? Is the personal side of my brand—those stories of family, leaps, and lessons—a strength that pulls you in? Or does it feel like noise, pulling focus from the business insights, marketing strategies, or content creation I’m here to deliver? Where’s the balance? I’d love your honest take.

Here’s my ask this week: hit reply and share your thoughts. Have my personal stories added value to your experience with this brand, or would you rather see more focus on the professional—blog growth, client work, or tools like StoryBrand? If you’ve got a personal brand yourself, how do you decide what to share? Your input will help me shape this brand to serve you better.

Building something authentic is a tightrope walk, and I’m figuring it out one step at a time. Thanks for being part of this, and for helping me find the path.

With gratitude,

Justin

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PS - I have a weekly update that I will include on my dreams below, this is something I have been doing personally for more than 2 years now, and it is my guiding light for how I make decisions and decide what I want to be doing and chasing.

If you ever want to became part of what I am creating, you can sign up at www.justindcstephens.com for the Employee Empowerment Initiative.

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Justin Stephens

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