Your Brand Feels Misaligned - Here's How to Fix It | Brand Strategist Shannel Wheeler

Discover the proven framework for successful rebranding with brand strategist and designer Shannel Wheeler, author of "The Brand Restart." In this conversation, we explore the intersection of brand strategy, authentic leadership, and business transformation for women entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Shannel shares her 20+ years of design expertise, revealing why most rebrands fail and how to align your brand values, visual identity, messaging, and company culture for maximum impact. Whether you're leading a nonprofit, running a small business, or scaling your organization, this episode delivers actionable insights on brand discovery, strategic partnerships, and the courage required for meaningful business transformation.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:
The Brand Pie Framework: 6 essential elements that shape perception
Why most rebrands fail and how to avoid common pitfalls
The truth about authenticity in business branding
From practitioner to expert: building authority in your field
Strategic partnerships and collaboration for business growth
The Quantum Leap Experience for women professionals
Action as the antidote to procrastination in rebranding

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction: Meet Shannel Wheeler
02:13 - Shannel's Origin Story: Growing Up Between Two Worlds
05:02 - From Designer to Teacher: Why Share Your Knowledge?
08:33 - What Inspired "The Brand Restart" Book
10:53 - Who This Book Is For
12:05 - The Power of Perception in Branding
13:45 - The Brand Pie Framework: 6 Essential Components
16:30 - Brand as an Invitation for Realignment
20:32 - Project Management + Creative Excellence
24:26 - From Practitioner to Expert: The Journey
28:10 - Action as the Antidote to Procrastination
29:50 - Core Values: Integrity, Empathy, Excellence
32:18 - How to Carry Values Through Your Brand
35:23 - The Hard Work of Business Growth
38:12 - Quantum Leap Experience for Women Professionals
42:28 - What to Expect at the Costa Rica Retreat
46:40 - The Importance of Strategic Partnerships
49:50 - Authenticity vs. Truth in Branding
52:19 - Rapid Fire Questions

THE BRAND PIE FRAMEWORK:
Shannel introduces her signature framework with six essential elements that shape perception:
Core Values: The foundation of who you are
Company Culture: How your team operates
Brand Personality: How you show up in the world
Messaging: What you say and how you say it
Customer Experience: The interactions you curate
Visual Identity: How you express your brand visually

When these elements are misaligned, your brand sends mixed messages. Learn how to audit and realign each component for a successful rebrand.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS:
Brand is about perception - how you want to be seen shapes how people interact with you
Tell the truth about who you are and where you want to go
Rebranding requires intentional work from leadership down
Action beats procrastination - put in the reps to become an expert
Strategic partnerships amplify impact when values align
Your business only grows as fast as you do personally

RESOURCES & LINKS:
Get "The Brand Restart" Book: https://thebrandrestart.com/
More Episodes: https://beyondsolutions.biz/podcast/

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Shannel Wheeler is a brand strategist, designer, author, and teacher with over 20 years of experience helping companies successfully navigate the rebrand process. She's the founder of Brand Restart and co-creator of the Quantum Leap Experience, a transformational retreat for professional women in Costa Rica.

ABOUT THIS PODCAST:
Conversations Beyond the Brand explores the intersection of branding, marketing, and values-driven leadership. Hosted by Dr. Tashana Thompson, CMO and CEO of Beyond Business Solutions, each episode features authentic conversations with entrepreneurs and leaders who are wearing their values unapologetically in business.