The Power of YOUR Brand Story (and the Mask that Changed Mine!)

Lori Osborne • July 31, 2025

What if the very thing that broke you became the catalyst for your brilliance?

Why Your Brand Story Matters:

Your story isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s the foundation of your authority. It’s what builds trust, creates connection, and draws your dream clients in - because people aren’t just buying your services, they’re buying into you.


  • Your story builds emotional resonance.
  • Your story positions you as relatable and remarkable.
  • Your story is what makes your brand unforgettable.


Yet so many Thought Leaders hide theirs behind credentials, titles, and buzzwords. But here’s the truth: Your story is your superpower!


Let Me Share Mine…

In 2015, I had just started a new position as a Technical Project Manager in a new company. Within two months, I started falling asleep at my desk. I chalked it up to adrenal overload (from my previous position) - until my left eye began to droop.

After tests and specialists, I was diagnosed with a meningioma (a benign brain tumor) that was pressing on my optic nerve and pituitary gland - and had become part of my carotid artery.

They knew they couldn’t remove it, but wanted to get it off the optic nerve to stop the eye drooping. But when they did, they nicked the carotid artery and caused a brain bleed.


The result?

  • I lost most of the vision in my left eye and had double vision for over a year
  • I developed chronic, debilitating headaches
  • I could no longer return to the career I’d built for 20+ years


And then came radiation. For 27 days, I wore the mask you see above - molded tightly to my face and shoulders and clamped down as I lay alone in a sealed chamber.


Claustrophobic. In pain. Unsure if I’d ever feel like me again.


But here’s the twist...


That tumor unlocked something inside me I didn’t even know existed.

While recovering, I stumbled into website building. And I fell in love! I discovered not just a new career, but a mission.

Today, I create authority-driven websites and brand strategy for Thought Leaders and Influencers. I help experts who feel invisible online amplify their authority and attract the right clients with confidence.

Everything I have built exists because of that tumor and that mask. Because of that moment.


And your story is just as powerful.


If you’ve ever felt unsure how to share your journey or wonder how it connects to your business… you’re not alone. That’s why I created a free resource to help you:



Find Your Brand Story - a guided worksheet to help you connect the dots between your past, your purpose, and your brand.


Click Here to Access the Guide

Need a brand that actually reflects your brilliance? Let’s build it - together. Book a free strategy call and let’s talk about how your brand can finally match your expertise: 👉 Click here to book a call!

Picture of a blind woman on a computer
By Lori Osborne June 6, 2025
...and how are you impacted by the New EU law going into affect June 28, 2025? If you're a coach, consultant, speaker, or online entrepreneur, your website isn't just your business card—it's your digital handshake. It's how you show up, connect with your audience, and build trust online. But what if your website is unintentionally excluding people?
By Lori Osborne May 18, 2025
Branding... If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what “branding” actually means (beyond logos and color palettes), you’re not alone. The word gets tossed around constantly - yet most people only understand a sliver of what it truly entails. So let’s clear the fog. Because true branding - done right - isn’t just pretty visuals. It’s the foundation of your authority and the gateway to attracting your dream clients online. ✨ First, What Branding Is Not Let’s start with the misconceptions I hear all the time: “I designed a logo in Canva, so I have a brand.” “Branding is just picking some fonts and colors, right?” “I don’t need branding; I just need a website.” Wrong. (And if you’ve said any of those before, you’re definitely not alone.) ✨ Branding Is the Soul of Your Business Your brand isn’t just your visuals. It’s the experience someone has when they interact with you - online or offline. Your true brand is made up of: Your Voice – How you communicate and connect emotionally Your Values – What you stand for and what drives you Your Story – The journey that led you here to serve your audience Your Visuals – Fonts, colors, logos, overall consistent design (YES, this still matters!) Your Positioning – What you’re known for and what sets you apart - your Authority Your Ideal Client – The specific type of person you are here to serve It’s how someone feels when they land on your website, hear you speak, or read your posts. It’s what makes them say, “Wow, they get me.” ✨ Why Branding Matters So Much More for Thought Leaders If you're a speaker, coach, consultant, or expert in your field, your brand is your reputation . But a powerful brand isn’t just something you have - it’s something you demonstrate in every space you’re in: Your website. Your social media. Your email signature. Your keynote talk. Your podcast. Even your DMs. So how do you make sure your brand shows up everywhere in a way that builds trust and credibility? Here’s how: Start with your Core Brand Message. Can you clearly say who you help, what you do, and why it matters - in one or two sentences? That message should anchor your About section, social bios, LinkedIn headline, speaker intro, and even your elevator pitch. No more rambling. No more vague jargon. Speak in your Brand Voice. Are you polished and powerful? Warm and conversational? Bold and challenging? Own it - and show up in that voice across every caption, talk, and reply. This helps people recognize you instantly (even before they see your face). Tell stories that align with your message. This is a big one. Whether you’re on stage, on Zoom, or on IG Stories - stories that tie back to your core values and your ideal audience’s struggles are what make you relatable and trustworthy. They move people from passive readers to active fans. Reinforce your authority with proof. Client results, speaking features, media logos, testimonials, frameworks - this is where your credibility comes in. These should be baked into your website, bios, content, lead magnets, and keynotes. ✨ Your Website = Your Authority Hub Social media is rented space while your website is your home base. It should reflect your brand with: A crystal-clear headline that says who you serve and waht you help them achieve - and is not about you Messaging that speaks directly to your ideal client's pain points A visual style that aligns with your voice and audience Clear next steps: opt-in sign-up, booking call, speaking request buttons Your website should not be a digital resume or brochure. It should be a relationship-building machine . ✨ Branding in Action: Authority Amplified I developed The Authority Blueprint™ because too many brilliant Thought Leaders are showing up online with branding that does not reflect their expertise. Inside The Authority Blueprint, we get crystal clear on: Who you are and who you serve Your values and what sets you apart What makes your message magnetic and memorable What matters most to your ideal clients - their pain points, values, goals, what makes them laugh, and what makes them act How to build a brand that attracts, connects, and converts It’s not just a strategy - it’s a system that saves you time and gives you clarity every time you write a post, launch a new offer, or add content to your website. ✨ Branding Is More Than Pretty Fonts & Colors Branding is about clarity and connection . ✨It’s how you build trust ✨ It’s how you create authority ✨ And it’s how you attract ideal clients who are excited to work with you!✨ So the next time someone says, “Oh, branding is just a logo,” just smile… and know you’re playing a much bigger game. (Or better yet - forward them this blog! 😉) Need a brand that actually reflects your brilliance? Let’s build it—together. Book a free strategy call and let’s talk about how your brand can finally match your expertise: 👉 Click here to book a call!
Picture of a stage with colorful lights shining down
By Lori Osborne April 16, 2025
Beyoncé wouldn't step on stage without a spotlight. So why are YOU hiding behind a website that doesn't show your brilliance? Let’s be real… Thought Leaders, Influencers, and Experts spend years building expertise, but their websites don’t always reflect that. And if your website isn’t clearly showing who you are, who you serve, and why you’re the trusted authority… it’s whispering when it should be commanding the room. Your website is not a brochure. It's your digital stage!