In the realm of personal branding, Diana Carolina de la Selva, an experienced Holistic Personal Branding Coach, guides entrepreneurs through transformative journeys. With a unique blend of mindset work, success coaching, and digital branding strategies, Diana draws inspiration from her experience with influencers and lifestyle brands.
For service entrepreneurs seeking to build a compelling online presence, attract more clients, and gain the confidence to step into their next chapter, this interview explores Diana's expertise and offers insights into the impactful philosophy driving her holistic approach to personal branding success.
Diana Carolina de la Selva, Holistic Personal Branding Coach
Can you share with our audience a bit about your journey and what led you to delve into the world of branding and merge it with neurolinguistics?
My background is diverse. After moving around a lot, and founding a few startups though my personal brand I realized the world was fatigued by cookie-cutter brands, we were all craving more authentic connections; and at the same time, I was undergoing this dojo myself, constantly being challenged as an entrepreneur, and I noticed the crucial link between self-belief and success.
At the time I was running a design studio in Latin America and a marketing agency in New York, while building my own personal brand on social media… and in the middle of it all, I got hacked and blackmailed by one of my overseas social media mangers. I lost accounts. Contracts. Credibility. It sent my world spinning and tested me in every way you can imagine. But it wasn’t all bad.
What came out of that was this desire to share what I had found, a parallel between personal evolution, a strong mindset and entrepreneurship. The link was personal branding. I hybernated for a couple of years, went back to school to continue certifications in mindset that I had begun years before and It just all sort of…evolved on its own. A year later I was catering to the demand for dynamic identities that evolve with individuals as they step into new chapters. “Holistic Personal Branding”.”
Your background includes working with a Jaguar Sanctuary and being a full-time influencer in New York. How have these unique experiences influenced your approach to branding and coaching?
My branding journey started as pro-bono work at a Jaguar Sanctuary in Costa Rica. I was 28, I had just turned down a big consulting role in Australia and completely crashed my first two companies. It was a pretty low point for me.
So I threw myself into pro-bono work until I felt grounded again. We rebranded the sanctuary and after a big successful art-fundraiser, I was invited to enter a cage where a captive jaguar named Bruno lived. It was super intimidating. And It dawned on me that this powerful animal had no idea of what he was capable on and because of it, he would never be free. That sparked a realization about self-imposed cages that instantly changed my perspective on everything.
I wrote about this openly on my blog and began documenting what I called my phoneix moment. And somehow, unexpectedly, that led to international recognition, massive exposure on media and layed the foundation for my move to New York. Experiences there, working with influencers and celebrities, highlighted the importance of mindset in success and really fed my strategy when it came to online marketing. These experiences are the backbone of my current work.
You're certified as a neuroenergetic, life and success coach, and a breathwork practitioner. How do these certifications complement your MBA specializing in market entry, and how do they contribute to your approach to branding?
My certifications as a neuroenergetic, life and success coach, and breathwork practitioner are integral to my approach. I guide clients in building their brand from the inside out, clearing blocks and aligning their brand with their long-term vision. It is similar to the process I went though myself. You can build a brand but until you learn to embody it and feel ready to step forward, into the next chapter, branding will do nothing for you. This blend allows for authentic emulation of the strategies used by celebrities to create influential brands with a dynamic identity.
Having lived in nine countries, how has this global perspective shaped your understanding of branding and marketing? Are there specific cultural elements you find particularly impactful?
I have been super lucky. Moving around has helped me understand the blending nature of the online space. Cultural nuances are vital in building brands, and my background helps adapt communication strategies. It's not about changing essence but tailoring approaches to resonate with diverse audiences. It is fascinating to build connections all around the world. That has always been a personal priority.
How has your entrepreneurial background informed your coaching and branding strategies, and what lessons have you taken from these experiences?
I have failed many times. This has not been overnight success. And honestly, that has been the best path for me. It just gives my clients depth from experience that you cannot learn any other way. Owning a design studio and marketing agency has been pivotal. The creative direction of brands and the intensity of service-based marketing taught me the impact of aesthetics and the importance of traceable KPIs. These experiences led me to my sweet spot, where I combine my love for what I do with a deep understanding of impactful branding and tangible results.
In the dynamic world of personal branding, Diana Carolina de la Selva, an experienced Holistic Personal Branding Coach, guides entrepreneurs through transformative journeys. With a unique blend of mindset work, success coaching, and digital branding strategies, Diana draws inspiration from her experience with influencers and lifestyle brands. For service entrepreneurs seeking to build a compelling online presence, attract more clients, and gain the confidence to step into their next chapter, this interview explores Diana's expertise and offers insights into the impactful philosophy driving her holistic approach to personal branding success.
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