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The Secret Sauce is Your Story

Alpana Aras | Brand Storyteller + Photographer

Become a confident storyteller for your brand to stand out and sell more. I'm a Visual Brand Coach and Award-Winning Photographer (featured in NY Times, Instagram, Apple). I help badass women entrepreneurs own their stories, showcase their uniqueness, and create brands that are downright magical. Ready to make your brand sizzle? Get your hands on my free brand guide packed with five essential ingredients to create an unforgettable brand experience.

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Featured Post

Word of the Year Reflections.

Dear Reader, Throughout this year, my guiding light has been my word of the year: "belonging." Belonging is an intrinsic part of the human experience, irrespective of one's background or identity.As the year winds down, I wanted to reflect on my word of the year and share some valuable insights gained from my journey.𝟏. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠. Rather than constantly seeking validation from others, start by accepting yourself exactly as you are. This year, as I rebranded,...

4 months ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader,Guess who's back? After a tough spell with an illness since March and a slow recovery, I’m headed in for dental surgery today—fingers crossed, and good vibes are needed! But hey, there's some exciting news, too. I’ve rediscovered my passion in a new venture—creating visual brands! It feels like coming home, given my past life as a graphic and web designer. Let me give you a glimpse: I'm currently weaving a visual story for a fantastic florist who hired me as her brand coach last...

8 days ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader, This week's a vivid blend of my two worlds – the Indian and American cultures – and I love it. Candles at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India It's like walking with one foot in each world, and honestly, it’s pretty awesome. Think about it.Our business ethos is deeply influenced by our cultural roots. Being nestled between these diverse cultures gives me a unique outlook and a global perspective. And you know what? It could be the secret sauce your business needs to cross...

29 days ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader, Yesterday, this photo popped up in my memories and made me smile. This is my son's first "cell phone."At eight or nine, he really wanted a real one, claiming all his friends had one.Sadly for him, having an Indian mom it didn't work out for him – until he got to 8th grade, but that is another story.So he took matters into his own hands and crafted one exactly how he wanted.It had all the essentials: a speed dial to connect with my husband and me and, of course, a line to J.M....

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader, As Women's International Month begins, I find myself navigating the challenging waters of COVID-19 for the first time. On day 5 or 6, exhaustion has become a constant, and my journey of recovery continues. Amidst navigating this illness, a story of remarkable generosity caught my eye and offered a glimmer of inspiration. Ruth Gottesman, a billionaire, donated a billion dollars to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx (NYC's poorest borough). Inititally her donation...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader,You're not alone.❤️ As a brand coach and headshot photographer, I encounter many talented women who struggle with self-doubt when it's time to be on camera. A case in point: a brilliant physician I met online recently shared her reluctance to appear in her own content on social media or webinars. Also, despite having a vast network of over 5k LinkedIn connections—her profile remains without a photo. This makes me sad. Many women doubt their appearance, question their worth, and...

2 months ago • 1 min read

Can you believe it's already February, Reader? A quick check-in on the "word of the year." Did I share that my word this year is "Simplify," but, man, it's tough when you're juggling a thousand passions.Here's how I'm doing it with a goal to declutter my life, and these pointers can help you too: 💥 Dropping what doesn’t spark joy - the Marie Kondo way! 💥 Eliminating tasks that don’t contribute financially.💥 Stepping away from efforts that don’t have the impact I seek.I'm pivoting away from...

3 months ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader, When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself. ~ Paulo CoelhoStill, need to sign up for the Pay-what-you-can Word of the Year Vision Board party? This is for anyone wanting to align with their purpose and get creative! We've got an amazing group of women ready to go, and we'd be so excited to have you. Join us!Alpana PS. The party is on Saturday, Jan 20th from 10 am - 12 pm PST. Check your time zone!

3 months ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader, In my former life as a graphic designer, I was like a kid in a candy store, collecting captivating marketing samples. “𝐁𝐞 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲.” ~ 𝐄. 𝐁. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞I had to chuckle reading this quote. I saved these postcards from my time working at a direct marketing agency in Peoria, IL. It was my first REAL job in the US, and my obsession with paper was real. 😜 The ultimate test was to see how the paper (of the postcards) fared going through the postal service. As a designer, picking the...

4 months ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader, Ever wonder why some brands are super cool and totally unforgettable? It's because they've mastered the art of storytelling.Here are 6 Tips to become a Brand Storyteller. 1️⃣ Hook Your Audience: When you share a story about your brand, it's like a magic trick that makes people pay attention. Look at how J.K. Rowling worked her magic with the Harry Potter series. Her storytelling empire spans books, movies, merchandise, and theme parks. The brand's core is rooted in the...

5 months ago • 1 min read
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