Yolanda M. Smith is an award-winning coach, speaker, and three-time bestselling author who has dedicated her life to helping women unlock their full potential through personal branding and business strategy. With a career that began in the corporate world, she transitioned into entrepreneurship to empower women to articulate their value, build confidence, and create sustainable success. Humans of Fuzia is honored to feature Yolanda’s inspiring journey—her story speaks to our global community of 5 million members who believe in “He for She” and “She for She,” working together to uplift women and help them thrive.
Q: What inspired you to start your own venture in personal branding and coaching?
Yolanda: My journey began back in 2013 when I worked with a nonprofit called Girl Talk to help young girls build confidence and recognize their self-worth. Interestingly, parents began attending those workshops, asking, “Why isn’t someone teaching us this?” That was my aha moment—I realized personal branding wasn’t just for the young, but for everyone who wanted to live authentically and stand out. Later, after a difficult corporate experience in 2018, I knew I couldn’t put all my eggs in one basket. That’s when I launched Branding for Success to help women find their voice, articulate their value, and access opportunities they truly deserve.
Q: Who do you primarily work with today?
Yolanda: My work is threefold. First, I coach coaches and entrepreneurs, helping them not only build powerful brands but also sustainable business frameworks to stay in business long-term. Second, I speak at events, motivating women—mostly professionals in their 30s to 60s—to believe in their worth and share their stories. And third, I partner with organizations to provide professional development and leadership training, equipping today’s leaders to inspire and lead the next generation effectively.
Q: What are some of the key benefits your clients experience?
Yolanda: The number one benefit is confidence. Confidence attracts opportunities. Once women clearly understand who they are, what problem they solve, and why it matters, they can articulate it to the world in what I call their “million-dollar minute.” That clarity doesn’t just boost self-belief—it translates into visibility, client attraction, and ultimately, revenue.
Q: Have you ever faced imposter syndrome in your journey?
Yolanda: Personally, I didn’t struggle much with it. I was raised by a very strong mother who instilled deep confidence in me. But I’ve certainly seen how imposter syndrome holds women back, especially in male-dominated industries like tech or pharma. I always remind them: your talent is your gift. If you’re reluctant to share it, you’re robbing others of something they truly need. Owning your brilliance is not arrogance—it’s responsibility.
Q: Looking back, what would you have done differently as an entrepreneur?
Yolanda: I wish I had sought mentors and coaches earlier. Coming from corporate, I thought I could figure things out on my own, but entrepreneurship is very different. In my first year, I lost $45,000 because I tried to “Google my way to success.” That taught me to find my who—the right experts to guide me—and to stay in my lane of genius instead of trying to do everything myself.
Q: What does success mean to you today?
Yolanda: Success isn’t just about accolades or money—it’s about impact. My joy comes from knowing I’ve helped someone step into their power and achieve their dreams. I don’t chase money; I chase passion and purpose. And when you do that, the money follows.
Q: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
Yolanda: I focus less on what people will say when I’m gone and more on what I do every day—who I can serve right now. My vision is to help 100,000 women unlock their brand and business potential so they can live with joy and success. At the end of the day, it’s about reminding women: Why not you? Don’t count yourself out.
Q: What challenges have you faced as an entrepreneur?
Yolanda: Entrepreneurship is full of peaks and valleys. People often see the success but not the tears, the sleepless nights, or the setbacks. I’ve faced hacked ad accounts, financial losses, and contracts gone wrong. But each challenge reinforced the importance of resilience and building strong systems. Success is never overnight—it’s persistence, patience, and learning from failures.
Q: What are you currently working on?
Yolanda: I’m preparing a three-day virtual event for established coaches and entrepreneurs, focused on breaking through business plateaus. It’s about moving beyond “stuck” and learning strategies to truly scale. Alongside that, I continue working with organizations on leadership development, though that’s usually behind the scenes. My work is always about finding new ways to serve and uplift others.
“Your gift is what makes you unique. If you don’t share it, you’re robbing someone of the very thing they need. Own your brilliance, step into your power, and never count yourself out—why not you?” — Yolanda M. Smith
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