First 3 Pillars of World Building: Identity, Storytelling & Community

When it comes to branding today, we’re no longer just building visuals—we’re building worlds.

In Part 1, I broke down why the old rules of branding and marketing are out—and why world building is the new path forward if you want your brand to actually resonate. Now let’s get into how we actually start doing that.

These are the first 3 pillars of world building, and they’re the most foundational:

1. Core Identity & Values

Let’s be real: answering the “what are your values?” question can feel vague as hell.

You don’t need to perform your values like you’re applying for a nonprofit grant. You need to get personal. Your brand values should be based on what you actually care about, what pisses you off, what lights you up, and how you want to move through the world.

For me, it’s freedom. Authenticity. Living life in alignment with your natural blueprint—through tools like Human Design, creative self-expression, and rejecting the status quo. That’s what Die Free means.

When you know what you stand for, your brand starts to feel alive.

It’s not just about “selling something”—it’s about building a space where others who share those values want to come hang out, invest, and stay.

Reflection prompt: What do you deeply care about that most people overlook? How can you infuse that into your work?

2. Storytelling (Founder + Creation Story)

This is more than a bio—it’s your brand’s backbone.

There are two types of stories every founder needs to clarify:

• Your Founder Story → Who are you? What did you live through? What shaped you into the person behind this brand?

• Your Creation Story → What made you start this specific brand? What inspired the work you're doing now?

For example, when I worked with IRIS DOULA, her story was rooted in her mom being a gynecologist and her own deep connection to accessible, community-based birth support. That alone made her brand stand out, feel rooted, and trustworthy.

We help clients develop these stories in Brand Therapy sessions because once you’re clear on them, it flows into your content, your website, your pitch, your community. People don’t just want what you sell—they want to know who you are and why it matters.

Pro tip: Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just needs to be true.

3. Community Engagement

This one is simple but so overlooked.

If you want to build a brand world, you need to talk to the people in it.

Whether that’s replying to DMs, showing up where your people hang out (online or IRL), or making space for conversations in the comments—you’re creating connection by being present.

Engagement is also about letting your community feel seen.
Ask them what they want. Share their content. Celebrate the people who support your work. Make your brand feel like a two-way relationship, not a soapbox.

We remember the brands that make us feel like people, not just customers.

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If you can start with these 3 pillars—getting clear on who you are, what your story is, and who your people are—you’ve already begun world building in the most grounded, magnetic way possible.

In Part 3, I’ll be breaking down how to take your brand beyond the digital space: through experiences, feedback loops, co-creation, and evolving storytelling.

Because your brand isn’t just a business—it’s a whole ecosystem.

💭 Want help clarifying your story and building a brand that feels like home?

That’s exactly what we do in Brand Therapy.
→ Book your session or book a VIP DAY if you want to do this in-person.