I welcomed my second child into my life eight months ago, and it’s reshaped my relationship not just to my work, but to the way I think about “brand development.” We often hear that parenthood helps us develop the capacity to say no and get clearer on the things that are a wholehearted yes. That’s been true for me. Parenthood has helped me reshuffle priorities personally, socially, and professionally.
Branding and visibility have become less about numerical growth (such as getting more followers on social media platforms) and more about nurturing the people already in my life and practice, encouraging them to deepen their interest in the work I’m putting out into the world. Instead of chasing expansion, I’m focusing on depth and fostering richer engagement with the community I’ve already built—the clients I still see; the people who’ve read (or will read) my book, The Origins of You; my current followers on Instagram, and the people who’ve subscribed to my newsletter.
This shift has meant making some big decisions. I’ve said yes to fewer things, and been deeply intentional about what I take on. Now, I only step onto stages with people I respect and admire, recognizing that part of building your brand or your business is about allowing yourself to be influenced by others and to collaborate with those where reciprocal elevation is available.
One way I’m doing this is by co-creating a course with a friend and colleague called “Secure and Thriving: A Nervous-System-Based Path to Healthy Love.” This project feels expansive and aligned with my values, but also my bandwidth. There’s hard work involved, of course, but because I’m doing it within the context of a richly nurturing friendship, there’s also laughter, play, and fun. These kinds of sustainable collaborations have taken center stage for me, right now.
I’ve also made the difficult decision to see fewer clients. I adore working with people one-on-one, and in an ideal world, I’d still see 25-30 clients per week. But this chapter of my life requires something different. Instead of pouring all my energy into the therapy room, I’m channeling it into work that reaches more people while also allowing me to be present for my family.
This change hasn’t been easy. Friction accompanies shifts in identity, but friction and tension contribute to growth and expansion. I remind myself that evolving my brand doesn’t have to mean losing what I love—instead, it can mean reshaping it. Right now, my brand isn’t about more. It’s about meaning. It’s about creating with intention, collaborating with care, and building something that sustains not just my career, but my life.
Vienna Pharaon
Vienna Pharaon, LMFT, is the author of The Origins of You.
