You Are the Brand: Finding Your Power in the Frame with Erica Simmons

Being Seen Is the Real Work

We’ve all heard the phrase “build your brand.” But what if the real work isn’t in your logo, your colors, or your website—but in your willingness to be seen?

This week on The Docs Get Money Podcast, I sat down with Erica Simmons—a personal branding photographer and visual storytelling strategist who has photographed some of the most brilliant Black women in medicine and business. But what she really does is help women see themselves again—clearly, fully, and without apology.

We talked about what it really means to show up as your whole self in a world that constantly tells you to be smaller. For so many high-achieving women, especially in medicine and service-based industries, it’s easy to perform confidence while quietly questioning your worth. It’s easy to put the brand first—and bury yourself underneath it.

But Erica believes (and I do too) that you are the brand. Not your title. Not your degree. Not your curated feed or polished bio. Just you.

It’s Not Just About the Photos

Erica shared how her journey started behind the camera—capturing weddings and portraits—and evolved into something deeper. She realized her work wasn’t just about images. It was about identity. She wasn’t just creating content for people, she was creating space for them to see themselves, own their story, and show up with power.

And let’s face it, showing up is scary. Especially when the world tells you to prove your worth at every turn.

We got honest about imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the ways Black women are often told we have to choose between softness and strength. Erica also talked about how her faith and personal evolution shaped her business, and what it looks like to lead with alignment instead of ego.

This conversation isn’t just about branding—it’s about healing. About clarity. About letting go of all the versions of yourself you built just to survive.

This Episode Is for You If…

You’ve ever felt like you had to “look the part” before you believed in who you were.
You’ve been hiding in your business—behind strategy, behind busy, behind roles.
You’re ready to be seen, not just professionally, but personally.

In this episode, we talk about:
✨ The difference between branding and storytelling
✨ Why many women struggle with being visible—even after they’ve succeeded
✨ How entrepreneurship and identity are deeply connected
✨ The emotional weight of “being the strong one” in every space
✨ Why you don’t need permission to take up space

🎧 Listen to You Are the Brand: Finding Your Power in the Frame with Erica Simmons
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