Own Your Story and Make It Unforgettable | EP45 | WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of Work

In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy sits down with Stacey Cohen, CEO of Co-Communications, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Brand Up. From launching her first business at age 14 in thrift-store uniforms to running an award-winning PR firm for 25+ years, Stacey brings the kind of wisdom that only comes from building it brick by brick - and brand by brand.

Together, they break down the real work of visibility, self-definition, and leadership in an age of automation, oversaturation, and self-doubt.

Tune in to hear:

Why being a twin fueled Stacey’s obsession with individuality - and how she turned it into a mission
How she helps teens, job seekers, and CEOs answer the million-dollar question: “Why should someone choose you?”
The one branding mistake that derails even the smartest professionals - and how to fix it fast
Why AI may write your resume, but it won’t build your relationships
How to make networking feel human again (even if you hate it)

If you’re navigating career shifts, launching your own thing, or simply trying to figure out how to be seen - this episode is a tactical, heart-centered playbook for showing up and standing out.

Because if you don’t tell your story, someone else will.

And they won’t get it right.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Meet Stacey Cohen: CEO, Author, Brand Builder

00:02:16 - Building a Full-Service Brand Agency from the Ground Up

00:03:12 - Entrepreneurial Fire Starts Early

00:06:10 - Reframing Entrepreneurship Beyond Business Ownership

00:08:20 - From Twin Identity to Personal Brand Clarity

00:12:36 - Embracing Your Uniqueness in a World of Comparison

00:13:56 - How to Show Up Authentically in Corporate Culture

00:14:23 - Rethinking Personal Branding - It’s Not About Ego

00:15:57 - The $1M Question: Why Should Someone Choose You?

00:17:31 - Career Equity Starts with Brand Integrity

00:18:20 - Finding Your Value Through Self and Peer Reflection

00:19:47 - Control the Narrative - Manage Your Digital Presence

00:22:25 - AI and Branding: Use It, Don’t Be Replaced by It

00:24:52 - Relationships > Resumes: The Truth About Hiring

00:26:29 - Networking Without the Cringe

00:28:36 - Connection Begins with Giving, Not Selling

00:30:25 - LinkedIn Strategy That Actually Works

00:32:20 - Why Everyone Needs a Brand - Even if You’re Not Job Hunting

00:33:22 - Stacey’s 3-Part Framework for Purpose and Visibility

00:36:46 - Turn Your Value into Visibility

00:39:09 - The Power of Peer Validation and Team Alignment

Curious about Brand Up?

It isn’t just a book - it’s a wake-up call. Brand Up is for anyone ready to stop playing small and start owning the room, whether that room is a college admissions office, a job interview, or a boardroom.

Stacey cuts through the noise with tools that actually work - and more importantly, with the mindset shift that changes everything.

Because the world doesn’t slow down to notice you.

You have to make it look twice.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to step into who you are and lead with it - this is it.

| Connect with Us |

Learn more about Co-Communications:

https://cocommunications.com/

Follow Stacey Cohen:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceycohen2/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/staceyrosscohen/

(She’s the real deal: CEO of Co-Communications, Award-Winning Author, TEDx Speaker, and Brand Builder on a Mission)

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