thoughts to feed your mind
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By Alanna Fairey
If you’ve ever had a conversation with me (no matter how brief our exchange), there is almost a 99.99% chance that I have talked your ear off about my dog, Rudy.
Anyone who is a dog parent will tell you that there is just something so safe and comforting about coming...
By Alanna Fairey
When I was doing my masters at Nottingham Trent University, I had a meeting with my course leader and mentor to start thinking about what my life would look like after my program was complete. At the time, I only thought about a career in public relations within the fashion...
By Alanna Fairey
For as long as I can remember, I have always been an avid reader.
My bookshelf has more options than your local bookstore, with authors ranging from F. Scott Fitzgerald, to Jacqueline Susann, to Gillian Flynn, to Kazuo Ishiguro, and Marcel Proust. If you’re ever lucky...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
