Martha Stewart, who built an empire around her expertise in cooking, believes launching her brand would be much easier today. The 85-year-old entrepreneur launched her personal brand in 1982 with her first cookbook, Entertaining, which laid the foundation for her successful career.
Martha Stewart explains why social media and modern technology make launching a personal brand easier than in the 1980s
Over the years, Martha has built an extensive business portfolio. She has written 102 cookbooks and opened restaurants in Las Vegas and Connecticut. She also owns a gin company, has launched a skincare line, and collaborated with numerous brands while continuing to grow her lifestyle media empire.
In a recent conversation with People, the Martha Stewart Show alum revealed that she wrote her first book using a typewriter and carbon paper. She said, “We didn’t have Instagram, we didn’t have social media, we didn’t have computers. It was very different.”
According to her, building a personal brand is “so much easier” now, as the concept has become increasingly widespread. “When I started, brand building was rare,” Stewart recalled, and noted that “we’re all living brands” today. She also added that “the public is a lot more accepting of the social aspects of brand building.”
Stewart’s public image has come a long way since the release of her first cookbook. Her Instagram account has become another way to connect with audiences, allowing her to share a more candid side of her personality. Stewart, who made her mark in every media format she has ventured into, still sees herself as an influencer. She explained that her content focuses on sharing practical knowledge about various aspects of everyday life. She said, “I teach a lot about gardening design, I teach a lot about cooking, I teach a lot about homekeeping, homemaking — all the stuff I do is all within the subject of ‘living.’”
