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The Secret to Building a Magnetic Brand: Why Your Story and Values Matter More Than Fonts and Taglines

  • Kelsea Koenreich
  • 2 days ago
  • 6 min read
Professional Women

If there’s anything you should know about me, it’s this: I believe in the power of communication.


Not just surface-level “copywriting hacks.” Not just trendy taglines or perfectly designed fonts. I’m talking about the real art of language—the way words connect to the deepest parts of who we are, and the way we use our voice to shape the world around us.


Because here’s the truth: your words, your story, and the values you bring forward into your brand dictate everything.


I see it all the time—brilliant, ambitious entrepreneurs who are stuck obsessing over getting the “right words” in the wrong places. They spend hours tinkering with their Instagram bio, debating between serif and sans-serif fonts, or agonizing over whether their color palette screams “luxury” or “modern chic.”


And yes, those things matter. But not nearly as much as you think.


Because you can have the most gorgeous brand identity in the world and still fall flat if your messaging doesn’t mean anything.


On the flip side? You can have a brand that isn’t the prettiest on the surface—but if it makes people feel something, if it’s rooted in authenticity and aligned with your values—it can take you incredibly far.


This post is for the high-achieving entrepreneur who’s ready to stop playing surface-level branding games and start building a business that actually means something. We’re going to talk about:


  • Why your brand story is your biggest differentiator in a crowded market.

  • How your values system should dictate your offers, your marketing, and your client experience.

  • The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when building their brand—and how to avoid them.

  • Practical steps you can take today to realign your business so it feels magnetic, purposeful, and sustainable.


Let’s get into it.


Why Brand Story Is Your Most Undervalued Business Asset

Here’s what I want you to leave this post with: your story matters.


The lessons you’ve learned. The obstacles you’ve faced. The values you’ve formed along the way.


Those things are not random. They are the foundation of your brand.


But what I see happen so often is that entrepreneurs hide the very stories that would make them unforgettable.


They tell themselves, “Well, my audience doesn’t want to hear about that loss I went through” or “What does my personal story have to do with the fact that I sell consulting services or design kitchens?”


But here’s the thing: your story is what makes people trust you. It’s what makes them feel something when they engage with your brand.


Let’s say you’re an interior designer. Maybe you lost a family member who used to host Christmas every year. Now your favorite rooms to design are family rooms—because you understand the importance of creating memories in spaces where people gather.


That’s not just a detail. That’s a differentiator.


It’s not about oversharing or turning your brand into a therapy session. It’s about connecting the dots between what you’ve lived through and how you serve your clients today.


When you bring forward your story, you create a brand that’s bigger than services or products. You create a brand that lives in people’s hearts.


What You’re Probably Missing in Your Brand Right Now


Here’s what most entrepreneurs are missing:


They think branding is only about visuals.


Yes, visuals matter. A well-designed brand creates instant credibility. But visuals alone will never create loyalty.


What creates loyalty is the cohesiveness of your brand. That means your visuals, your messaging, your story, and your values are all working together in harmony.


So if you’re only focusing on one piece of the puzzle, you’re missing the bigger picture.


A cohesive brand makes people say: “This feels right. I know what they stand for. I know why I want to be a part of this.”


The Power of Values-Based Branding


When was the last time you sat down and got crystal clear on your values?


I’m not talking about a feel-good list you slap on your website. I’m talking about values that actually show up in how you run your business and serve your clients.


Your value system is not static. It evolves with your life experiences. It’s shaped by your upbringing, your relationships, and the moments that change you.


And here’s why this matters for business: when you operate in alignment with your values, your brand feels authentic. It feels magnetic.


When you don’t, you feel misaligned, burnt out, and disconnected from your own work.


For me, one of my core values is health. Anyone who follows me knows this—it’s not optional for me to talk about movement, nutrition, rest, and mental well-being. And it would feel completely misaligned if I didn’t bring those conversations into my coaching, even though I’m technically a business coach.


Because the truth is: if you’re not taking care of yourself, your business won’t scale sustainably. Period.


So ask yourself:


  • What values are you embodying in your brand?

  • What values are you ignoring or suppressing?

  • Where do you feel misaligned in your offers, your clients, or your messaging?


Those questions will tell you more about the health of your brand than any analytics dashboard ever could.


Why Misalignment Leads to Burnout


Burnout isn’t always about working too many hours.


More often, burnout is about misalignment.


You’re offering services that no longer light you up.

You’re saying “yes” to clients who don’t share your values.

You’re selling things you’ve outgrown because you’re afraid to pivot.


That’s not just exhausting—it’s unsustainable.


When your business is out of alignment with your values, you will constantly feel like you’re swimming upstream. On the other hand, when your business reflects your values, everything flows easier.


It doesn’t mean the work won’t be challenging. But it will feel meaningful.


And meaning is what keeps you going when things get hard.


How to Identify Your Core Values (And Actually Use Them)


So how do you actually figure out your values and use them in your business?


Here’s a process I walk clients through:


  1. Look at your life experiences. What events shaped you? What lessons stuck with you?

  2. Identify what feels non-negotiable. What do you refuse to compromise on, no matter what?

  3. Check for alignment. Where are you living those values in your business—and where are you ignoring them?

  4. Bring them forward. Your values should dictate your offers, your client experience, your team culture, and your marketing.


For example, if “family” is a core value for you, maybe you structure your business to allow time off for school pick-up. Or you create offers that help other business owners have more time with their families.


If “creativity” is a value, you build services that allow for innovation and flexibility rather than rigid systems.


The point is: your values shouldn’t just be aspirational words. They should be the backbone of your brand.


Common Branding Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make


Let’s call some things out:


  1. Hiding your story. Afraid of being “too personal”? That’s exactly why you’re blending in.

  2. Over-focusing on visuals. Your website can’t carry the weight of an unclear message.

  3. Copying competitors. If your values and voice sound like everyone else’s, you’ll never stand out.

  4. Ignoring misalignment. Offering things that drain you because they “still sell” is a fast track to resentment.

  5. Treating values like fluff. If your values don’t influence how you operate, they’re just decoration.


Practical Steps to Create a Magnetic, Values-Based Brand


Here’s what you can do today to start building a brand that feels magnetic:


  1. Do a values audit. Write down your top five values and check: where are they showing up in your business, and where are they missing?

  2. Craft your brand story. Choose one life experience that shaped you and tie it to how you serve today.

  3. Check your offers for alignment. Do your services reflect your current values—or are they outdated?

  4. Communicate with intention. Stop trying to get the “perfect words.” Focus on words that feel true.

  5. Integrate, don’t compartmentalize. Your story, your values, your visuals, and your client experience should all be cohesive.


Stop Playing Small with Your Story


Here’s the bottom line: Your story and values aren’t “extras” in your business. They are the foundation.


They’re what make people trust you.

They’re what make your brand unforgettable.

They’re what make your work meaningful.


So stop hiding. Stop over-focusing on things that don’t matter. And start bringing forward the lessons, values, and stories that make you who you are.


Because that—more than any font or tagline—is what will build a brand that lasts.


If you’re ready to bring your story and strategy into alignment so your business feels both magnetic and meaningful, book a 30-minute Discovery Call with me. It’s an opportunity for us to connect, talk through your goals, and explore what’s possible for your next level of growth.

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