CAROLE PYKE THE PERSONAL BRAND STORYTELLER

When I looked into the mirror, I recognised the features, but I had no idea who the person looking back at me was. The only reason I knew it was me was because I was the only black person in the room. To this day, I still wonder if the nurse had also been black would I have arrived at the same conclusion. My stroke changed everything. Not only did I have no major memories of life pre-February 2019, I also had no idea who I was or what I was here to do. I didn’t know how to walk and had no idea about the world outside the hospital, but I was determined not to give up. In one of the three hospitals I stayed in I attended a reading group with a patient, a nurse and two external people. We had a round table read and then a free flow conversation and the three non-patients turned to me and said you need to be a motivational speaker. I remember laughing as I was sitting in pyjamas in a wheelchair and I hadn’t had a wash yet. It was nothing I said, nothing I did, and they had never met me before, so their conclusion was based solely on the only thing I had to present, Myself! Even though I didn’t know who I was, the essence of what made me uniquely me was still alive and vibrant. All I needed to do was get to know her. People and Facebook memories have been instrumental on this journey as they have helped me piece together a picture of the person I was before the stroke. By all accounts, I have always, inspired and encouraged others, found the silver lining in every cloud and navigated my way over, under or around any obstacles that came my way. As I learn more about what makes me uniquely me, it seems like I was the only person that didn’t know the brand, Carole Pyke. This made me realise that so many more of us do not know who we are and have no idea about the value we bring to the table. When I left the hospital in April 2019, a powerful narrative began to unfold and that narrative began with a vision board but not the traditional vision board, it was a Personal Brand Vision Board (PBVB), a visual affirmation of who I am and how I wanted to show up in the world. The amazing thing is when this board was created, I had no idea of its impact and value. I was helping a friend create her traditional vision board. God told me to create one too. I said no, as I didn’t have a vision for 2019. He was insistent. I appeased Him by choosing to create one that centred around me. Little did I know that God was setting me up with a powerful tool that would be invaluable three months later and go on to inspire and encourage so many others. My PBVB is a visual affirmation that has quite literally transformed my life and set the standard on how I navigate my way through it. I know who I am - I’m awesome - I am clear about the value I bring to the table and none of this is based on or swayed by someone else’s opinion. I run PBVB workshops and work with individuals on a one to one basis to create their own. I have supported, encouraged I am an award-winning coach, International speaker, and CEO at Words that Deliver, a personal branding agency, and my life was turned upside down in February 2019 when stroke number two threatened to stop me in my tracks. But that is only part of the story.

and inspired women from all walks of life for 30+ years to be the best version of themselves, but only now do I recognise and truly value what I have in my hand. My gifts, skill set, unique way of looking at the world and a determination to succeed against all odds.

I believe that your personal brand is more than what people say about you when you leave the room. It is the story you tell, the moment you show up and all before you utter a single word. People have told me I always thought like this.

I believe it only takes a Spark to set your brand on fire and this second stroke has become that Spark giving me a unique opportunity to pause for a moment, albeit a long moment, and see everything I believe and have shared with others, over the years, play out in my own life.

The Spark is also a methodology – story, passion, authentic voice, resources, know-how - I use to help others discover their story, unlock its value, develop the narrative and deliver their brand of awesome to the world so they position themselves for increased impact, influence and income. I know am alive because I have things to do and I am taking that seriously. I’m on a mission to share my wisdom, experience and expertise and help others show up unapologetically on purpose.

I have been interviewed on Sky News, BBC Radio London and appeared on the Victoria Derbyshire show (BBC 2). I have spoken on several stages and platforms starting with being booked to speak by one of the people from the reading session in hospital, (it turns out she was the president of a Rotary Club) and includes speaking on the same stage as Marie Diamond from The Secret and I am off to Spain in March to speak and deliver a workshop at an International Women’s Day Event.

I quite literally walk my talk! I am unapologetically me; I show up on purpose, have a heart to serve others and know I make a difference. That’s my story and if you meet me, I know you will not forget me!

I believe that your personal brand is more than what people say about you when you leave the room. It is the story you tell, the moment you show up and all before you utter a single word. People have told me I always thought like this.