Build a Personal Brand: Lessons from a Beauty Queen

Entrepreneurs need to build a personal brand-a message and reputation that resonates with the people who they want to reach for conducting business.

A lesson in brand building comes from Preity Uupala, an actor, beauty queen and writer who is building an international reputation for her work. She told me that entrepreneurship is in her blood and she is capitalizing on that trait in her acting and writing pursuits.

"I used to be an investment banker, prior to winning these beauty titles. I actually used to do that work. In my opinion, Banking is about taking a calculated risk and investing in it. I still do that job but now I've become the product. I take the risk and am investing in myself."

Preity sees her brand, as a "vision is to inspire and empower people through my spirit and my work. Through my work in film writing and a positive role model. I use different mediums like fashion and beauty and music to showcase my vision."

Really embodying the "Beauty with brains" theory, Preity was 16 years old when she started university and graduated with honors from the University of Sydney with studies in information technology (IT) and marketing. Her work took her into international consulting and, later she was inspired to launch her entertainment career in international cinema.

"I have walked many a red carpet here in Hollywood, but the largest one yet is still the awards ceremony of the Asia pacific film festival in China last year. China is a booming nation and any event they put on there is always of gigantic proportions.

"I became an overnight star in China last year. I experienced 10,000 people screaming before going into the shrine where they had the film festival.

"Then I found myself on the front page on the newspaper the next morning when immigration recognized me at the airport as I flew out of china; they mentioned that it was 'an honor' to meet me. It was the most exhilarating, yet humbling experience of my life."

Preity was a judge at the film festival which gave her a new perspective as an actress.

"I think you appreciate so much more when you are on the other side of the camera, as a judge. You can see things from the outside in. And in my case, as it was a foreign film festival, it's a great opportunity to see film from other cultures and see the art in them.

"I have been invited to attend the Shanghai film festival next year and be the face of an Indian film festival in Mumbai this year [December 2011] which should be incredible."

I asked her about her key achievements at this point in her life. She graduated with a stellar academic performance and bought her first house when she was 21. She's won several beauty pageants including Miss Earth Australia 2009, Miss India Portugal 2010, and Miss India International 2011. But she looks at the present as her greatest achievement.

"I feel the things that I feel most proud about are the ones that required me to have a lot of courage and extraordinary faith. I've been around the world alone. I've gone to southeast Asia for 2 months. I moved to the states last year by myself and now I've been here for a year. Launching your brand in a place like LA with integrity takes guts."

She defines success as "when you are in your own power and can really make a difference."

Giving to others is another part of Preity's personal brand. Her website has an extensive list of humanitarian nonprofit organizations.

"I have always been very lucky to have lived a charmed life with a great upbringing and an amazing family that provided me with unconditional love and support. Many young people cannot say the same.

"This year, I made the inspired decision to start my own foundation: The Uupala Foundation. It is focused on helping the underprivileged children mainly in southeast asia- as these kids have touched my heart in a personal way. I'm also on the board of a great charity here in Los Angeles--Reading, Writing, It's Exciting!

Keep track of Preity Uupala by visting her website.