The business magazine Fast Company is a great tool for entrepreneurs. The issues are full of useful information for any small business owner looking for advice. I found the August 1997 issue of particular interest because it introduced me to the concept of personal branding.

The attention-grabbing cover uses graphics borrowed from the zeitgeist. It seems to shout “Yes, there are big brands out there. An individual can also be a brand. In fact you have no choice about the matter, so you’d be smart to put thought into it.”

Tom Peters, the writer of the cover piece, starts his article by declaring “It’s a new brand world.” I was hooked. My desire to not only create a brand for myself but for others became the central focus to my career. The issue altered my perception of business identity and the changing culture. The concept of becoming a brand — that anyone can be — shifted my mindset. My fascination with the idea of the self-brand and helping people build their brand identity continues actively today.

The magazine’s editors say that “The article that put Fast Company on the map was the cover story of what may have been the single best issue we ever did. Tom Peters’ essay remains as relevant today as it did when it first appeared. Here’s a link to Issue 10 (August-September 1997).” Peters is also credited with coining the term ‘personal branding’ and went on to write over twenty books about business, marketing, productivity, design, and of course branding.

— April Uhlir, designer

“It’s this simple: You are a brand. You are in charge of your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called You. Except this: Start today. Or else.”

— Tom Peters, writer