General
Where I can learn more about you?
First off, appreciate your interest. My highlight reel is here. Or you can go for the expanded, messier version of my life story here. You also should check out my podcast, you'll really get to know who I am by the topics I speak on.
What's your top piece of advice?
To sell anything, your buyer must trust you and/or that your offer will give them the result(s) they expect. The quickest way to earn trust is by conveying full disclosure and transparency online. The more transparent you are, the more relatable you become, and the more visitors feel like they’re getting the real you, not the version of yourself you’d like to be. Video is a great way to build that rapport quickly.
Be upfront about your flaws and failures more than you toot your own horn and they will connect with you and eventually open up. This invites you to learn more about them and deepen that relationship, allowing you to build more solutions to their problems - and the cycle continues.
Got any resources in helping me grow my business?
Yup! I created a whole page of them which you can find here. I also have some branding guides you can grab here with more on the way. Check them out and let me know what you think.
How did you go from graphic designing to brand coaching and why did you make that switch?
Great question. The short answer is that it was a natural evolution for me because of being in branding. Visuals are a vital part of any business, yes, but there are so many other elements that go into branding outside of graphic design. Over the years, I learned that I’m really in the business of empathy and earning trust. You need the right language, the right voice, the right outlets, the right staff, the right customers - and all of that has a part to play in the brand stories for all businesses. I made the switch because I had more to offer than graphic design on a 1:1 basis. I developed this urge to share all this experience I’ve amassed over the last 10+ years.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
My favorite movie’s gotta be The Matrix! No other film has rocked me to my core that heavily with as many layered themes and notions. My favorite TV show is 24 with Better Caul Saul and The Shield as runner-ups.
Where can I follow more of your work?
Catch me @bulletproofhustle on Instagram & Facebook - and @bullproofhustle on Twitter. Be sure to also check out my podcast for weekly bite-sized truth bombs.
What’s your favorite quote?
Hmmm... “Be the change you wish to see in the world” by Gandhi is the one I seem to reference the most, so I guess that one.
What are some books/audiobooks you recommend for new entrepreneurs?
This certainly isn’t a list of all of them, but these are books I consider required reading:
Coaching & Consulting
What’s the difference between coaching and consulting?
The lines can get blurred between the two, but Rosie Guagliardo summed it up well. Coaching is helping you arrive at your own revelations and conclusions. Consulting is telling you exactly what to do based on an expert’s advice and experience. You can learn more here.
For example, in learning to ride a bike, a coach would have you get on the bike and walk alongside you, guiding you through how it’s done until you felt confident enough to ride on your own. The focus is on you, the client. A consultant would ride the bike for you and then send you home with a “how-to” manual. The focus is on the problem/thing (the bike, in this case). Different strokes for different folks. I offer both. Shout out to Leanne Wong for breaking that down so well.
I’m interested in hiring you for some coaching/consulting but need to see if we’re a good fit for one another first. Do you offer any free discovery calls?
I sure do - I call it a Kick-Off Sesh. It’s where we get to learn a little more about one another, we’ll talk about your goals and/or issues, and whether it makes sense to work together. Oh and don’t worry: no selling from me! I trust you’ll make the best decision on your own. Book your session here.
How long have you been coaching?
For about 7 years unofficially. It’s not that I wasn’t taking it seriously, I just had other commitments. In 2019, I became certified as a brand & entrepreneurship coach.
Can you work with me 1:1 long-term (more than 3 months)?
Possibly. It depends on our chemistry and rapport. I’m currently just taking things 90 days at a time in working with clients as I explore other creative endeavors.
How do we get started?
Go to my Sessions page first to see if what you’re looking for fits within any of the options there. If so, just pick one, check out, and I’ll be in touch asap. If not, reach me here with what you have in mind and we’ll go from there.
Strategizing
How can I start my own side hustle?
Big question! One dependent on many factors such as your current living conditions, your why, what you’re selling, etc. Regardless, I think a side hustle starts and ends with who you want to serve. What your audience needs and wants from you informs what you end up creating for them.
Ask yourself who you can serve before asking what you can sell. If you’ve been through some things, usually a version of your former self or someone you know deeply is the perfect customer, as you’ve probably surpassed something they may be struggling with. Now you’ve got the chance to offer that one thing you wish you had when you were them. Start there.
What’s your process in helping me design a brand strategy?
We’ll go through a powerful 5-pillar process that begins with discovering where you are now and ends with you implementing all that we’ve uncovered together to grow your biz. Usually, I can determine what would be most valuable for your goals by the end of a kick-off call. Sometimes, I have to put together proposals that include services and deliverables not included in my Session packages. Other times, I have to draft agreements. Once we’re locked and loaded, we get to the fun stuff.
Brand Strategies are complex undertakings. They involve a lot of ideation, storytelling, and nuances. And they are dependent upon the size of your business and the scope of your products/services. Reach out to me here if you'd like me to create some Brand Strategy Guidelines for your business.
Podcasting
You mentioned hosting a podcast. Where I can listen to it?
I’d love to have you tune in. It’s available on all major podcast players (tap on any of these links): Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Anchor and more.
Can I be a guest on your podcast?
Maybe! If you think a verbal ping pong sesh between you and I would be valuable to our listeners, let me know how here. I’ll get back to you asap after considering it.
Can you be a guest on my podcast?
I’m down to talk with basically anyone who’ll have me, so yes. Reach out to me and let me know what you have in mind and we’ll make it happen. Looking forward to it.
Courses
What is The Smart Brand Masterclass?
It's an online course designed to take you from startup confusion to brand clarity using a proven 10-step framework anyone can implement to launch a business that people actually care about. In it, we simply cover what’s worth your time and avoid what isn’t, so we can kick off your brand the smart way. Learn more about what's included here.
What's the Pick. Define. Clarify. Workshop?
It's a 30-min webinar that I periodically conduct live throughout the year. You can find an on-demand version here. It's a great way to introduce yourself to certain branding concepts. Plus you get to know me, my teaching style, and how what you learn can work for your business.
How do I know if The Smart Brand Masterclass is for me?
This course is great for you if...
What will your Build Your Brand Boot Camp cover?
I’m going to show you how to turn your best idea into a profitable business with my 3-day online masterclass. On Day 1, we’re going to dive into choosing the idea worth pursuing. Day 2, we’ll talk about attracting + earning an audience. On Day 3, we’ll move into making money + an impact, followed by a bonus Q & A sesh.
When will your Build Your Brand Boot Camp course be available?
Soon. Be sure to join my email list and I’ll notify you the second registration opens.
How do I know if your course is for me?
I’m crafting the course for my creatives, trouble-makers, side hustlers, entrepreneurs, business owners, athletes, coaches, and grads. So if you identify with any of these tribes, I welcome you to experience one of the most impactful, honest boot camps you’ll ever take. If you want to grab ahold of your own fate and your own future - either for yourself or the people you’re looking after - this course is for you as well.
Speaking
Got any video samples of public speaking you’ve done?
I have exactly one and it’s of my very first speaking gig, so you know it sucks! I had no elevated stage. It was conducted in a restaurant. I had a poor presence. And I only had three attendees, two of them were friends who were just there to support me. It was horrible. To make it worse, I wrecked my car backing out of my own garage on the way to speak! I pray that video never sees the light of day because trust me, you do not wanna see that thing, lol. But I promise to get the following ones recorded for your viewing pleasure.
What are some topics you speak about?
Mindset coaching, branding, storytelling, collaboration, inclusion, and entrepreneurship are all topics I’m familiar with and love discussing. It’d be an honor to bring the insights I’ve earned on any of these topics to your conference or workshop. Message me if you’re interested and let’s make it happen.
Design
Can I hire you to do some graphic design work for me?
At this time, no. I still do a little design work for a handful of clients who are retaining me, but that’s the extent of that. I’m now focusing on building my coaching + consulting practice.
Can you design me a t-shirt?
A completely custom design - no, but I’m happy to modify an existing design from the options available on my Merch page. Just let me know what you have in mind here.
Who designed your website?
Oh, you like it? Let me find out! I customized a template I found on Leadpages to match the look and feel I was going for.
“Darnell is a great brand strategist to work with, he has offered us the best of his knowledge and I believe his work will positively impact our business. Would highly recommend him!”
- Rony Hage | Founder of Doodeo
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