Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in branding and marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Monica Kline, Founder and President of IDentity Brand by Monica Kline, located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

IDentity Brand by Monica Kline is a Full Brand Management Agency; we take your idea from concept to launch and successfully build your brand using today's trends. We build brands by combining all of the latest trends, launching on a solid foundation with all of your brand collateral, optimizing, and then scaling your brand by using an Omni-Channel approach. Our team is an extension of your brand and offers valuable and creative insight to grow your brand, gain market share and increase profitability.

Identity provides clients with a seamless and integrated experience, from the first touchpoint to the last. Each channel works together to create a unified message, voice, and brand for your business. When we implement layer by layer of your Omni-Channel approach to your brand, we create multiple revenue streams to scale your business, creating financial freedom on your terms. In order to reach more business owners, I launched Empire Builders Mastermind, which guides entrepreneurs with the strategy to build their business and authority brand.

Tell us about yourself

I have been an entrepreneur for 13 years and have 29 years of REAL LIFE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE in Branding, Marketing, Sales, and Public Relations. Let's rewind; my career started out working for Fortune 500 companies, Toshiba and Canon, working in the Consumer Electronics space. When comparing how far we have come with technology, you can say I most definitely have seen the trends change. What has not changed is how we use technology. It is still an integral part of our success, no matter if building a business or a personal brand.

After the tragic events of 9/11, it was a life-defining moment for so many, which is when I re-evaluated my career path and decided to pivot. I relentlessly pursued my passion for getting into the beauty industry. Knowing I would, in essence, be starting at the bottom, I signed with a beauty brand as a 'Marketing Manager' in my native home of Southern California. Bringing my knowledge and expertise to a different industry while thinking outside the box was an environment I thrived in. During these 13 years, I was tenacious in my pursuit of success, or what I thought success was at that time, while climbing from Marketing Manager to Vice President.

This period was instrumental in my career as I was not only holding a domestic position but handling business relationships internationally while residing in parts of Asia to carry out business processes for overseas clients. These distant lands were the launchpad for where I am today. Having traveled to over 43 countries while conducting business in many of these countries takes an understanding of cultural differences, which enhanced my perspective on international business, not only in Branding, Sales, and PR but in ALL aspects of business, as I was managing multi-million dollar budgets. The knowledge and experience I gained have been instrumental and put to practical use since becoming a business owner. A motto I live by is "You must always be evolving to remain relevant." I love a challenge and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. In 2013, I did exactly that and made the decision to leave my comfortable lifestyle in Newport Beach, CA, and set my eyes on the energetic New York City. Upon arriving in New York City, I quickly rolled up my sleeves and signed up for my real-life lessons on life, love, business, and grittiness that only this city can offer.

Since launching my branding agency, my business model has continued to evolve, and I have invested not only time but as well as investing in my business to offer the best technology, software, and platforms for my clients. I have also continued investing in my education so that I remain relevant in an ever-changing industry while being AHEAD of the trends. I have sought the industry thought leaders and am mentored, coached, and held accountable by them. I invest in all of this so that I can deliver my years of experience and make certain it is relevant to move the needle in my client's brands and businesses. I strategically added "Course Creator" to my repertoire. Diving into the $325-Billion E-Learning Industry so that I have the ability to reach more entrepreneurs and help them scale and monetize their brands by taking my online course curriculum and implementing a "do it yourself" methodology to brand building, which is now known as Identity Brand Business School.

In 2020, I was tapped by KEAP, a SaaS Software company backed by Goldman Sachs, to become their entrepreneurial brand ambassador
which included a DocuSeries featuring my journey of building a business.
2021 was a milestone year, as I added Author and Keynote Speaker to my qualifications. The one thing that has become more evident while on this journey of entrepreneurship is WHO I serve as clients. I am a firm believer that like-minded individuals make a business partnership magical.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Guiding entrepreneurs to build their legacy businesses while guiding them and pushing them outside of their comfort zones. I love seeing them light up with the ideas they have when they become a reality due to the work we do.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being an entrepreneur is a balancing act; you make a lot of sacrifices for your business. In the end, you get back what you put in, and it's a path I have chosen. I would not be happy being anything other than an entrepreneur, the risks I take remind me that I control my future, and typically the reward is great!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Surround yourself with a peer group of others on the same journey as you; you will need support as it can get very lonely on the path of pursuing your goals.
  2. Fail fast! Failure is inevitable; lean into the lesson and grow from it, then share it so you may help others.
  3. Have a strategy, don't wing it. "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://identitybrandbymonicakline.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/identitybrandbymonicakline/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/identity.brand.by.monica.kline/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-kline-a41a5918/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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