By: Jonathyn Lopez
Melanie L. Denny is a force in personal branding, helping women of color reclaim their stories and show up authentically in their professional lives. Through her company, Resume-Evolution, Melanie has shifted from crafting resumes to empowering powerful women to uncover and build their brands with purpose and intention. She also hosts the popular podcast, ‘EmpoweredPresence.TV’, where she shares her expertise and insights on personal branding, storytelling, and authenticity.
Melanie’s journey to becoming a branding powerhouse wasn’t always smooth. She struggled with her identity early on, especially as a Black woman navigating the corporate world. For 12 years, she operated under a “corporate persona,” losing sight of her identity. This persona was shaped by what she thought executives and corporate leaders should be rather than who Melanie genuinely is. “For 12 years, I lived and operated through a persona,” she recalls. “I felt like I had to fit the corporate mold, mimicking others instead of being my authentic self.”
But Melanie didn’t fit that mold. After being laid off, she shifted to resume writing full-time, but she still wasn’t fully embracing who she was. She continued acting like the professionals she once mimicked, battling the thought, “Do people even want what I’m offering?”
It wasn’t until she started mentoring others in her industry who loved her realness that she had an epiphany. “People were willing to pay thousands of dollars for my services,” Melanie says. It was a pivotal moment when she realized that being relatable, being herself, was her greatest asset. When she dropped the corporate act, the same exact executives she had been mimicking complimented her approach, praising how naturally she handled clients. It was then she had a breakthrough: I am enough, and being myself is what gets results.
With that realization, Melanie built her brand around her personality and authentic self, embracing her background as a bold and dynamic island girl who grew up in Detroit. It was a far cry from her polished and sanitized persona for years. “People want to connect with someone real,” Melanie says. “Not a persona built to please others.” And she found that being herself allowed her to inspire others to do the same.
Her brand messaging now revolves around authenticity, storytelling, and intentionality. “Everyone doesn’t have a personal brand without intention,” she emphasizes. The big brands we see today put a lot of thought behind how they show up and how they’re perceived. For Melanie, personal branding is all about shaping how people see you—building credibility, establishing authority, and creating a story in people’s minds about who you are, rooted in the essence of who you really are.
At the core of this philosophy is storytelling. “The powerful brands share a part of their story,” Melanie explains. Stories stick in people’s minds and offer a chance for them to resonate with you. “When people don’t know where to start, I tell them to start with their story. Share a piece of who you are.” And she’s seen firsthand how storytelling can move people.
Authenticity, for Melanie, is non-negotiable. Too many people build a persona based on what they believe their audience wants to see, but this isn’t sustainable. After years of operating through her persona, Melanie speaks from experience when she says, “That persona will take over. You’ll forget who you are.” She’s not advocating that everyone shares their deepest secrets, but she firmly believes people are drawn to what’s real. “Authenticity doesn’t mean being perfect,” she adds. With AI becoming more prevalent, she predicts that the brands and individuals who show up as their authentic selves will stand out.
Melanie’s work now goes beyond writing resumes; she digs deep into who her clients actually are and her seamless integration of #surfacewontsuffice’ within personal branding, and she captures this perfectly. For her, surface-level content isn’t enough anymore; people want to connect with the humans behind the brand. “I’m always telling my clients: don’t be afraid to be ‘braggadocious.’ Own your success and your story.” Melanie observes that this is particularly vital for women of color, who often operate in spaces where they aren’t fully respected or given room to thrive. “We’ve been conditioned to fit in,” she says, “but personal branding is about showing people how to treat you. We lose who we are when we tweak ourselves to fit others’ expectations.”
Her husband, Joseph, has been an unwavering source of support through her journey. There have been times when Melanie doubted herself and her abilities, but Joseph has always believed in her when she couldn’t believe in herself. “Sometimes I have to borrow his belief in me,” she admits. His constant reassurance gives her the confidence to push through tough times and moments of self-doubt. For those seeking to elevate their personal brand, Melanie’s journey invites you to step into your authenticity. Visit Resume-Evolution’s website at resume-evolution.com to schedule a consultation. Whether you’re looking to boost your LinkedIn presence or build a brand that represents who you are, Melanie is ready to help you show up as your true self.
Melanie’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 13 LinkedIn Experts in Orlando in 2023 and making the Ultimate List of 100+ LinkedIn Voices Job Seekers Should Follow. She’s also a 2022 TORI Award winner for Best Sales Resume. Her expertise, particularly in working with CEOs and corporations, is rooted in her ability to create authentic brands that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
Collaborate and connect with Melanie on LinkedIn and interact with her website to take the first step toward building a brand that reflects your unique story. The world is waiting for you to show up as you truly are, and with Melanie’s guidance, you’ll discover the power that lies in your authenticity.
Published by: Khy Talara
