As the founder of Image by Courtney and the creative force behind the Poise and Promises Weekly Devotional, Courtney Robinson empowers women to lead with poise and presence. Having navigated significant health challenges, she amplifies authenticity and elevates confidence for women leaders through the art of personal branding. Courtney’s mission is deeply rooted in inspiring women to step boldly into their purpose, asserting their authority, and making a lasting impact.
Courtney Robinson, Leadership Branding Strategist & Style Mentor
How would you like to be introduced?
Courtney Robinson is a visionary Leadership Branding Strategist and Style Mentor with over two decades of corporate leadership experience. She is passionately committed to empowering women to lead with purpose, authenticity, and a powerful presence. Through her values-driven business, Image by Courtney, she has pioneered a transformative approach to personal branding that goes beyond fashion, guiding women to align their outward presence with their core values and express true confidence.
Having lived with brain tumors and navigated a resilient path through stroke recovery, Courtney draws from her own life journey to inspire and empower others, demonstrating the profound impact of embracing one’s God-given purpose. With over seven years dedicated to style mentorship, she developed the Purpose Palette Persona framework—a signature offering that integrates leadership, faith, and personal style, helping women leaders shed self-doubt, express their unique identities with poise, and expand their professional influence.
Courtney supports her clients in cultivating a bold, authentic presence through her four foundational pillars: Purpose, Poise, Passion, and Presence. Her warmth, expertise, and intuitive understanding of style allow women to step into a new level of confidence, harmonizing their personal style with their mission and vision. As a trusted authority, Courtney bridges values and personal branding, inspiring faith-driven women—from emerging leaders to seasoned executives—to elevate their image and fully embody their potential.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
A pivotal moment in my life came when I was diagnosed with four meningiomas, or brain tumors, which led to a craniotomy and subsequent strokes. These experiences profoundly challenged my self-perception and reshaped the way I chose to show up in the world. During this life-altering time, I learned that the greatest barriers to self-expression often come from within—from our mindset, rather than any external reality.
As I navigated my recovery, I realized that my thoughts could either empower me or limit me. Embracing this truth reshaped how I saw myself, persuading me to stand fully in my identity. The empathy I now bring to my clients stems directly from these experiences; I understand what it means to face trauma and adversity that can hinder self-expression. Emerging from these struggles with renewed clarity, I found my purpose: to help women embrace their authenticity and express themselves fully, no matter the obstacles.
In my work, I guide women through powerful mindset shifts that enable them to embody their potential, creating a supportive space for them to express themselves authentically and boldly. This journey of personal transformation fuels my mission, making my work not only impactful but also profoundly resonant. I am dedicated to creating an environment where self-doubt is shed, allowing every woman to step confidently into her true self.
What drives/inspires you?
I’m deeply driven by the profound gift of recovery and the gratitude I feel for each day after overcoming serious health challenges. Living with brain tumors, enduring a craniotomy, and surviving multiple strokes tested my resilience and reshaped my outlook, giving me an appreciation for life that runs deep. I know that my journey—from hardship through healing—has a purpose beyond myself, offering hope and insight for others who may be facing their own struggles.
This sense of calling fuels my commitment to empowering women to embrace their true selves with confidence and grace. I believe that sharing my story can ignite resilience in others, helping them find strength in their own journeys. Each step I take in my work is a reminder of God’s healing and protection, and it’s this mission—to serve and uplift women—that propels me forward, giving meaning and purpose to every moment.
What’s your purpose, mission, and driving force for all the work you do?
My purpose is to guide women toward powerful alignment between their authentic selves and how they are perceived, helping them show up in the world as influential leaders with both style and intention. I believe that when a woman’s outward expression—her personal style, professional presence, and how she commands a room—naturally reflects her core values, she ignites a confidence that reinforces her leadership. My work as a Leadership Branding Strategist is about bridging that gap between who she is and how she leads, equipping her to step into every setting with clarity and purpose.
My mission is to help women recognize the strength of their individuality and the profound impact of showing up as their truest selves. This goes beyond personal style; it’s about transformation at a leadership level, shaping self-perception and redefining how she embodies authority, resilience, and grace. When a woman fully embraces her identity, she projects an effortless authority that naturally inspires respect and trust—not only through what she says but also through the undeniable presence she brings.
What drives me is a commitment to creating a space where women can stop hiding, release any lingering self-doubt, and embody their distinctive identity as leaders. This journey of alignment is deeply fulfilling for me, combining the art of style with the science of leadership presence. It’s my privilege to walk alongside women as they step into the full beauty of leading and living with purpose, in harmony with their values and in command of their personal brand.
What is your business name, and how do you help your clients?
My business, Image by Courtney, is a transformational platform where I empower emerging leaders and executives to bring their fullest, most authentic selves into every room they enter. Through personalized mentorship, dynamic workshops, and specialized leadership branding strategies, I help women cultivate an authentic presence that resonates deeply with their purpose and amplifies their impact.
At Image by Courtney, the foundation of my work lies in my proprietary Purpose Palette Persona framework—a blend of purpose, poise, passion, and presence. This framework guides each client through a journey that goes far beyond style, focusing on who they are at their core and how they choose to lead. We uncover her unique mission and vision, clear away any limiting beliefs, and create a cohesive, elevated personal brand that commands respect and earns trust. This is where the inner work and outer expression unite, and a genuine leadership brand takes shape.
Whether in executive coaching sessions or immersive workshops, I equip women with the confidence to navigate their careers with clarity, intention, and self-assuredness. Each transformation is designed to allow women to lead with a presence that is rooted in authenticity and an impact that reverberates across their lives and careers. At Image by Courtney, I am committed to building generations of powerful, self-assured women leaders who not only rise to their own potential but influence the very industries and communities they serve.
What inspired you to create Image by Courtney?
The inspiration for Image by Courtney began with a moment in business school that felt small but planted a powerful seed. A classmate asked if I was a stylist, recognizing something in how I showed up that I hadn’t fully appreciated myself. Her question made me realize that my style had become more than clothing – it was a language of self-expression that conveyed my identity, values, and purpose in a way that resonated with others. I began to see that personal style could be a transformative tool for women to amplify their presence, reflect their core values, and embrace the paths they are meant to walk.
For years, I had used style as a way to express myself, but the thought of sharing it with other women—to elevate their confidence and help them align their outward expression with their inner beliefs—felt like a calling. This journey isn’t about teaching style tips. It’s about empowering women to recognize their inherent worth and make choices that support and celebrate who they are from the inside out.
Creating Image by Courtney has given me the platform to transform how women see themselves, by refining their wardrobes and helping them step boldly into their lives as the fullest, most aligned version of themselves. This is about dignity, purpose, and impact. It’s my way of contributing to a world where women lead with intention, embody values that inspire others, and leave a legacy of confidence and authenticity that uplifts everyone around them.
What sets Image by Courtney apart from other services in the industry?
What truly distinguishes Image by Courtney is my unique ability to empower women to bridge the gap between their core beliefs, values, and purpose and how these elements shape their outward expression. I guide clients in uncovering their authentic identities, enabling them to communicate with intention and authenticity through their personal brand. This process is about integrating faith, fashion, and leadership into a cohesive narrative that resonates deeply with who they are.
In my framework, clothing becomes a powerful tool for self-expression and influence. When used intentionally, it amplifies their impact and authority, allowing them to step confidently into their roles as leaders. By cultivating an understanding of how their style choices align with their values and aspirations, my clients learn to make powerful first impressions that leave a lasting impact, creating connections that resonate long after they’ve left the room.
Image by Courtney empowers women to embrace leadership with the assurance that their outward appearance authentically reflects their inner strength and vision. This alignment fosters confidence and enhances their leadership presence, allowing them to create a lasting influence in both their personal and professional lives. At this intersection of faith, fashion, and leadership, we transform the way women see themselves and how they lead, inspiring them to embody their purpose and elevate their impact in every setting.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
If I could change one thing about the fashion and style industry, it would be the pervasive narrative surrounding body image and how women perceive themselves. The media often perpetuates unrealistic standards that lead to self-loathing and diminish a woman’s confidence, creating a disconnect between who they are and how they feel they should appear. This shift in mindset needs to begin early, nurturing a healthy self-perception that embraces the natural changes our bodies undergo throughout our lives.
Women experience numerous transitions—be it career shifts, motherhood, aging, or personal growth—that profoundly affect their self-image. Yet, the industry frequently overlooks these realities, focusing instead on narrow ideals of beauty. It is essential to cultivate an understanding that dressing is about more than conforming to external expectations. Dressing is about resonating with one’s true self. When women dress in alignment with how they wish to be perceived—rooted in self-acceptance—they naturally project confidence and authenticity, making a powerful statement in any room they enter.
By fostering a robust self-concept and nurturing healthy self-confidence, women can navigate the inevitable changes and challenges they encounter with grace. This transformative approach impacts individuals and also creates a ripple effect, reshaping how society values and appreciates diverse body types. The fashion industry must prioritize empowering women to love and honor their bodies, celebrating their unique beauty at every stage of life. This change will inevitably enhance their self-expression and elevate their leadership presence, enabling them to show up in life with a powerful sense of purpose and authenticity.
Next Steps
As we conclude this conversation, I invite organizations, coaches, and programs dedicated to empowering women to connect with me for an opportunity to speak or provide a workshop on one of my signature topics. Consider exploring sessions like Clothing of Distinction: How Your Closet Impacts Your Bank Account, The Hidden Cues Your Wardrobe Says About Your Influence, Your Intellect, and Your Impact, or Command the Room: Mastering the Art of Style to Amplify Your Influence and Wealth. Together, we can collaborate to inspire impactful change that enhances leadership and fosters self-empowerment in women everywhere.
Let’s connect in a Transformative Connection Call and explore how we can elevate your initiatives and create a lasting impact together!
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