The Power of Amplifying Your Voice: Leadership, Personal Branding & The Journey of Starting My Own Company

By Dr. Lauren Loyless-Bouabid, Founder of Bouabid & Co. Consulting

Starting my own company was one of the most vulnerable yet empowering decisions I’ve ever made. Like many professionals, I had the experience, the passion, and the drive, but there was always that lingering voice in the back of my head: "Am I ready?" "What if I fail?" "Do I have what it takes?"

The truth is, there is no perfect moment to start. Growth doesn’t come from waiting, it comes from taking action, adjusting along the way, and committing to amplifying your voice, inspiring through your story, leading with confidence, and elevating your impact.

The Intersection of Leadership & Personal Branding

Leadership is no longer just about titles and authority. It’s about impact.

If you’ve ever taken one of my business communication or leadership communication courses, you know this is a topic I’m deeply passionate about and consistently emphasize. Every professional - whether an entrepreneur, executive, or emerging leader - has a unique voice and perspective that deserves to be heard. Yet, too often, we hold back, unsure if our insights are valuable enough or if our voice truly matters. But the truth is, it does.

We think: ❌ “I don’t have enough experience.” ❌ “I don’t know how to position myself.” ❌ “What if no one listens?”

But here’s what I’ve learned: Your story is your power.

Leadership is about showing up authentically, sharing insights that add value for your team and the organization, and positioning yourself as someone who drives meaningful change. Anyone can be a leader and that is where personal branding comes in.

Key Takeaway: If you’re not shaping your narrative, someone else is doing it for you.

Building Confidence in Your Leadership & Brand

So how do you start amplifying your voice and positioning yourself as a leader in your field?

✅ 1. Own Your Story & Expertise: No one has your exact experience, perspective, and insights. Embrace what makes you different and use it to create impact.

✅ 2. Speak with Authority (Even If You Don’t Have All the Answers): It is not what you say, it is how you say it. You don’t need to be a “perfect” expert to share value. Thought leadership is about starting conversations, not just having all the answers.

✅ 3. Show Up Consistently: Your brand is built through visibility, repetition, and authenticity. Whether it’s through LinkedIn, Instagram, speaking engagements, or networking—make sure people know what you stand for.

✅ 4. Lead with Confidence & Elevate Others: Great leaders don’t just build themselves up, they bring others along. The more you share, the more you inspire.

My Journey: Taking the Leap to Start Bouabid & Co. Consulting

I started Bouabid & Co. Consulting because I saw too many professionals holding themselves back. Talented, driven, and capable individuals who weren’t stepping into their full leadership potential because of self-doubt, lack of clarity, or fear of visibility.

I wanted to create a space where individuals could: Amplify their voice and establish thought leadership. Inspire through their story and position themselves for new opportunities. Lead with confidence in their business, career, and life. Elevate their impact and make a meaningful difference.

Starting my own company was anything but easy. There were moments of uncertainty, imposter syndrome, and steep learning curves. But through it all, I kept reminding myself: The world needs what we have to offer.

Teaching has always been my passion, so why not amplify it on a larger scale, empowering more professionals to find their voice, lead with confidence, and elevate their impact? That’s exactly why I took the leap, and I haven’t looked back since.

If you’re thinking about stepping into a bigger leadership role, starting your own business, or amplifying your personal brand - do it.

Not when you feel “ready.” Not when it’s perfect. But now.