By Alanna Fairey Rachel Zoe once said, “Fashion is about saying who you are without having to speak.”   As someone who has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years, I couldn’t agree with this statement more.  In what feels like another lifetime ago, I was a freelance stylist who worked with some very cool high end luxury clients, and some not so great clients, as well. I’ve also been a fashion journalist and editor for much of my career, have been involved in Fashion Week around the globe in a number of different capacities and have been creative director for a number of ..read more

By Alanna Fairey When it comes to sharing insights into how to build a strong personal brand, Marina Byezhanova has earned her place as an expert in this area. Speaking on the “Becoming PowHERHouse” podcast with Nicholle Overkamp, Marina shared her personal branding tips, and why building a strong personal brand is important not just on an individual scale, but a corporate one as well. Being authentic as a business Marina shared that when she embraced authenticity, it not only served her well, it also benefited Brand of a Leader. Sure, we upset some folks along the way, but I realized they pro ..read more

By Alanna Fairey I am writing this blog post hours after speaking for the United Nation. Yes, THAT United Nations. How did this come to be?  Last year, I worked on a project through a fashion organization that I consult for, which connected two schools I previously attended: Nottingham Trent University and Humber College. The project was a huge success, and at the end of 2023, I was approached to talk about the project at UN75. As a fashion industry expert, I shared my views on proposed policy frameworks, fashion tech, and the power of collaboration, all of which I deeply care about. Now ..read more

It all starts with understanding your core values and purpose. A personal exercise can help. Marina Byezhanova, an Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) member in Canada, is a global speaker, university instructor, and co-founder of Brand of a Leader, a personal branding agency for entrepreneurs. She has spoken to audiences on four continents on her mission to inspire entrepreneurs to stand up, stand out, and be radically authentic. EO asked Byezhanova how entrepreneurs can leverage their leadership to inspire at scale.  This insightful article is not just a read; it's ..read more

By Alanna Fairey I was 11 when I heard Bob Dylan’s “Time Out of Mind” album for the first time. To say that it changed the trajectory of my life might sound melodramatic to some, but it always made sense to me. I’ve always felt a connection to his songs, considered him to be one of my style inspirations, and I still maintain that finally seeing him in concert last year is hands down one of my top 10 life experiences. Even though I don’t know him personally, I feel very aligned with him.  This alignment with Bob Dylan might seem out of place, since I’m very much the opposite of him: I’m pr ..read more

By Alanna Fairey When I was 22, I was working as a freelance stylist in Toronto. By that point, I had already worked at Toronto Fashion Week and had done work for Global News. But I was about to walk into what I hoped would be my big break: I would be styling a well-known Toronto media personality (who I will not name) for a series of photoshoots. For someone who was looking to get her foot in the door so soon after completing their undergrad, it felt surreal. It felt like such an endorsement of me as a young professional, maybe even me as a person. And it ended up being an experience from hel ..read more

By Alanna Fairey Starting a business in 2020 during COVID would be seen as a risky move to some, but for Brand of a Leader co-founders Marina Byezhanova and Stefano Faustini, it opened the door for the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey.  Marina’s first company was a boutique consulting firm in the recruitment and employer branding space with offices in Montreal and Vancouver. The company had been operating for a decade before the pandemic occurred. Like so many entrepreneurs and leaders, Marina found herself reflecting on the next steps and how to reinvent herself. “COVID was su ..read more

  In a world where the digital landscape is increasingly crowded, the power of a compelling personal brand stands as a beacon of differentiation and authenticity. Marina Byezhanova, an authority in personal branding and the visionary behind Brand of a Leader, recently shared her invaluable insights on this topic during the "Cyber Business Podcast" with Matthew Connor. This discussion is a valuable resource for business leaders and entrepreneurs looking to enhance their personal brand and leave a lasting impression.   Thought Leadership: The Cornerstone of Personal Branding  ..read more

By Alanna Fairey A few weeks ago, I attended an event called “Bags 2 Riches.” It was a celebration of first-generation Canadian success stories, highlighting their contributions to their communities. Hosted by Sangita Patel of ET Canada, Chris Boucher of the Raptors and Allan Lau, the CEO of Wattpad, were among the speakers that night. However, it was the keynote speech delivered by Tareq Hadhad, the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, that truly left a profound impact on me. Tareq shared his remarkable journey, recounting his family’s escape from Syria to Halifax and the subsequent establi ..read more

As a mother of two and a Co-Founder of a global personal branding agency, I often talk about my life under the endearing term of “struggle of the juggle.” I am sure you can relate. As I travel across the world to deliver keynotes and to host workshops, I often feel guilty that I am not around for breakfasts and dinners, drop offs and pick-ups. As much as I love my “job” and despite all the travel, I want my kids to know that they are my key priority. What matters to them is a priority to me. Even if I don’t quite understand why it actually matters to them. Cue Taylor Swift and her highly publi ..read more