Life is about bridging the gap between these two questions - who are you vs who do you want to be. How many times have we had to pretend to be somebody else in order to get what we want? How many times have you used the phrase “fake it until you make it?” So much in life is binary and as we collectively shift perspective to incorporate a more holistic and fluid approach, we have to individually confront the ways in which we restrict ourselves from personal and professional growth. Nowadays creating any kind of brand requires radical honesty about the imprint you want to leave. Identities are how we move in the world. It’s the hats we wear as professionals. It’s how we organize our place in society. It’s how we allow others to classify us. Identity is how we were taught to find purpose, belonging, and worth. There was a tipping point and it could have been the pandemic. People had to reimagine what their daily life could look like and a lot of people had an awakening about how they wanted to move forward with their careers.  Answer these questions: What are the identities that you are emotionally invested in and why? What are the identities that you are financially invested in and what would it take to release the ones that are not in alignment with your values and vision? What are the identities that you are socially invested in and who would you be if you did not have to worry about performing for strangers to like you? What I love about being vocal and intentionally multi-passionate with my brand is that it allows me to wear different hats that correspond with the roles and titles I identify with.  I can be a strategist, storyteller, photographer, daydreamer, quirky bruja, road-tripper, poet, whimsical jewelry maker, and the occasional hot mess. Being multi-passionate allows my dynamic self to be more than just one thing. At the same time, the challenges with being multi-passionate is that others want to limit your identity into these little neat checkboxes, because the identities you claim may be in conflict with the identities they need you to be. Are you cultivating an identity that resonates with who you want to be or are you creating an identity that accommodates how others want you to be? Who you are IS your competitive edge and you don’t have to choose or compromise your vision and integrity to succeed. There are a lot of people making it happen on their own terms with both their audacious and imperfect selves.  If they can carve out a lane that is unique to them so can you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Work with the energies of Pisces season as you navigate the next four weeks and use the new moon to align your hustle. The imprint you leave informs the world who you are. Pisces season is a reminder that who you are is ethereal and beyond comprehension. You are dynamic. You don’t need to fit in a box.  Pisces season is your permission slip to be expansive with your intuition. Use that energy wisely. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

It’s been a really long time coming BUT I finally got around to recording the introduction episode for this podcast. It is only fitting that I use this episode to talk about the backstory to the Renaissance Empress name so that you have some context as to why this name and to also share a bit about my journey since it’s all connected. So…what is The Renaissance Empress? First off, if you are new here welcome. My name is Vicky and I am a mid-life GenX’er who has spent the last 20 years figuring out my place in this world. I get hired for mostly strategy work and I integrated a bit of mysticism and storytelling into the mix. I started this podcasting journey a few years ago, before the pandemic. I recorded a few episodes under the moniker Sacred Brand Mastery. The name was catchy at the time but even back then I knew it wasn’t “the name.” I knew at some point I would resume and specifically rebrand but when the pandemic hit in 2020, I was far from being in the mind space that I wanted to be in so that I could create something good. I’m constantly torn between two conflicting perspectives. On one side is the hustle 24/7 you can sleep when you’re dead attitude that was very much fermented in me early on during my entrepreneurial journey. On another side is the go-at-your-own-pace perspective which is the almost polar opposite of what I thought I needed to do in order to be successful. The reality is that I needed to figure out a way to integrate both and learn to navigate business and life through this grey nuanced space where two competing visions can coexist at the same time. I began to confront myself and reexamine how I was contributing to upholding values that no longer resonated with me. I began asking myself the million-dollar question: Who do you want to be and how do you need to embody that? And as I waited for the right time to relaunch this podcast, I knew I needed to incubate myself for a while until I figured out what my voice would be. While others told me to just go ahead and launch, I said no and waited. While I told my own clients to just go ahead and launch their own ideas, I didn’t. I was still waiting for the perfect time. I got caught up in the idea of waiting for this “perfect voice” to emerge with some kind of “perfect message” that would magically align with who I wanted to be. There is a phrase that I use but that I also cringe when it’s used on me…done is better than perfect. If it resonates with you, feel free to share this with anyone who may also need to hear this message. I may not be peppy like a cheerleader but with the right amount of coffee, I can be the voice that encourages you to flip the table whenever you need to dismantle what is no longer working for you. If you are not new around here, welcome back and I hope this podcast finds you doing whatever brings you joy. Don’t forget…you can continue peeping my musings at my digital casita online by visiting vickyayala.com. That’s where you’ll find the latest shenanigans for my storytelling, programs, consultations, books, the deck, and all that jazz. Until next time… --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

There are many lessons that have yet to be learned. Breakthroughs are often disguised as breakdowns, and this time is no different. The new moon in Aries and Saturn in Aquarius transit are opportunities to innovate, evolve, and transform into the next iteration of your brand + business. Maybe you want to reinvent who you are. Maybe you want to pivot your existing hustle. Maybe you want to transition into a brand new version of your soulful self. In this episode, we'll talk about how you don't have to compete with chaos. The new normal is up to you to create. Even when it feels like everything is out of wack, being out of wack might be what's needed to reset your energy, vibe, and expression. All planets are in forward motion so we can't blame a retrograding transit. We ARE moving forward even if it feels like we're re-living the 1920s.  Take a beat, align with your authentic voice, and harness this opportunity to evolve. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Happy belated new year! Taking a step back is sometimes necessary to realign with the vision you have for your brand + business. I've been thinking a lot about how and who I'm allowing to have access to me and it was time to bring this topic up for discussion. In this episode, we'll talk about bankability and whether being too available, or not, is hindering your success. We're going into a Mercury retrograde cycle and this waning moon cycle is a perfect time to have a periodic reality check-in with yourself to make ensure you're on track with your goals. Get the full episode deets: https://vickyayala.com/podcast/11 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Let's set some intentions! We often have to take a step back in order to see how far we've come. Setting intentions is not enough. What are you doing to bring them to life? How are you positioning yourself to reach the level of success you want, in business and life? In this episode, we'll talk about how you can level up and embrace your ambition so that you're aligning your passion with purpose and profitability. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/10 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

It's time to go big or go home! Sometimes when you innovate your journey, you are re-imagining what you always thought to be true. Realities change and when they do, it's time to re-align your focus and strategy. In this episode, we'll talk about how you can leverage this adventurous new moon in Sagittarius energy to share your backstory so you can come full circle with your vision and build something even better. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/09 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

It's time to create and fascinate! How does one align the "go with the flow" vibe with a go-getter mentality?  Being present and in the moment is great as long as you don't give up the driver's seat to be a passenger in your entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, we'll talk about how you can embrace being a creator so that you can share your magic with the people who need it the most. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/08 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Embrace Your Authenticity! The full moon in Taurus is a great energy for cleaning house and getting rid of what's weighing you down. Since we're all about the brand hustle, this digital cleanup could come in the form of purging your website and social presence of the content that is no longer aligned or supporting your business goals. In this episode, we'll talk about your authentic self and why it's OK to let things go. These readings are done intuitively and with a strategic perspective as it relates to your brand + business. Spend some time this week absorbing the insights and using whatever wisdom can help propel your hustle to the next level. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/07 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Before you change that website theme, switch your email marketing provider, or decide to throw in the towel - let's talk about how to audit your brand so you're making decisions with the right kind of insights. Whether it's the end of the year or mid-year, revisiting your brand + business is more than just about finding opportunities. It's about making sure you're aligned with your passion, purpose, and profitability. In this episode we talk about brand audits, vision casting, and embracing spreadsheets to map out your brand + business. Crafting the right kind of strategy can do wonders for your hustle so let's make sure you're right where you need to be in order to level up to the next phase of your journey. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/06 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Time waits for no one! We're switching it up today and finding a new groove with the readings. The purpose for these is to provide a strategic meditation for your brand + business, so let's get into that kind of flow. In this episode, we'll talk about time and how important it is to take action before it's too late. Scorpio season can bring up some dark issues and we'll briefly address brand sabotage and waiting for permission. These readings are done intuitively and with a strategic perspective as it relates to your brand + business. Spend some time this week absorbing the insights and using whatever wisdom can help propel your hustle to the next level. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/05 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

The entrepreneurial journey can be full of plot twists but the one thing you can be diligent about is how you monetize your expertise. In this episode, we'll dish about what is a signature offering and how you can leverage it for income opportunities. Multi-passionate doesn't have to mean being all of the place. With focus, vision, and strategy you can create a signature offering that allows you to tap into all the things you love while creating a structure your hustle will need. Diversify how you cultivate the kind of profit potential that solidifies you as a subject matter expert in whatever niche you call your zone of genius! Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/04 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

It's time to set intentions! This week we have the energy from the new moon in Scorpio to harness. Talk about magical! In addition to the new moon, we've got Mercury sashaying retrograde in the seductive and dark sign of Scorpio. To say Scorpio is going to be potent these next few weeks would be an understatement. So rather than dwell on what could wrong, let's use this transit as an opportunity to do what Scorpio does best - weed out the sh*t and make way for what actually matters. The Sacred Brand Reading for the week digs into the messages of the Storytelling, Sacred, and Vision cards. These readings are done intuitively and with a strategic perspective as it relates to your brand + business. Spend some time this week absorbing the insights and using whatever wisdom can help propel your hustle to the next level. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/03 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Are you Bankable? This is the million dollar question. You probably consider yourself bankable, and you totally are, but let’s have a conversation about what that means. In Hollywood, there are different levels of bankability and we often look at them as “A-list” vs “B-list” and so forth. Bankability comes in all price ranges so don’t throw in the towel because you’re not the Will Smith of your industry. Start where you’re at and focus on that “thing” which only YOU can do. We all have something we’re good at. The skills that are of least resistance is where you’ll want to start. Hone in on the gifts you were given and the natural talents you were born with so you can harness this to shine your light and improve your bankability. In this episode, we’ll have a quick chat about how Hollywood's hierarchy of celebrity status can give you insight into how to position yourself within whatever industry you want to succeed in.  Sit back, grab some chai, and chillax. Join me for a quirky adventure into this entrepreneurial journey and let's learn how to make magic together. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/02 What You Can Expect From Moi: My vibe is conversational and optimistic meets snarky Latina. I infuse mysticism with entrepreneurship so you'll get the traditional marketing tactics mixed in with cosmic insights. Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it! Let me know how sustainable those launches during a Mercury retrograde work out for ya! I'll wait. Let's Be Brand Besties! Connect with Me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/vickyayala Network with Me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/vickyayala Rant with Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickyayala Let's Make Magic! Consultations + Programs: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/offerings Browse the Bodega: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/bodega --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support

Hola + Welcome! My name is Vicky Ayala and I've finally launched the podcast was 5 years in the making. Perfectionism is a mofo! In this initial episode, I'll say hello and talk about the Sacred Brand Mastery. These episodes are bite-sized (under 30 minutes) so you can grab some wisdom on-the-go. Listen while you're trekking to work on the congested train or working your morning rituals right before you buckle down to tackle the day. In episode 1, we'll do a quick overview of my holistic approach to brand strategy. I briefly touch on the 8 levels of a brand strategy, which you can learn more about at https://sacredbrandmastery.com/upgrade. Use the code "upgradepodcast" to get the micro-course for free. So sit back, grab some chai, and chillax. Join me for a quirky adventure into this entrepreneurial journey and let's learn how to make magic together. Get the full episode deets: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/podcast/01 What You Can Expect From Moi: My vibe is conversational and optimistic meets snarky Latina. I infuse mysticism with entrepreneurship so you'll get the traditional marketing tactics mixed in with cosmic insights. Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it! Let me know how sustainable those launches during a Mercury retrograde work out for ya! I'll wait. Resources Mentioned: Sacred Journey Oracle Deck: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/deck Align Your Hustle Workbook: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/align Sacred Brand Archetypes Workbook: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/archetypes Let's Be Brand Besties! Connect with Me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/vickyayala Network with Me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/vickyayala Rant with Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickyayala Let's Make Magic! Consultations + Programs: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/offerings Browse the Bodega: https://sacredbrandmastery.com/bodega --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therenaissanceempress/support