Building a Soul-Led Brand: Lessons From 10+ Years as a Spiritual Entrepreneur

I wasn’t looking for a guru. I just wanted to quit my day job.

At 23 years old and blissfully naive, I figured I’d start a business…

But somewhere between designing logos and replying to emails, I found myself in the soul-shattering ayahuasca trip known as ‘entrepreneurship.’

Here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in 13 years as a spiritual business owner and brand designer…

This little design studio has been my greatest teacher.

She’s taught me discipline and devotion. Helped me soften, slow down, and lead with my intuitive, feminine energy. (After years of being in my masculine.)

*Yes, my business is definitely a woman… a young Lauren Bacall: sharp, self-assured, sophisticated—holding her own among a cast of gray suits.

When my life fell apart, she remained standing. She’s held me through healing. Heartbreak. Awakening.

And kept calling me deeper into my truth and my power. 

She’s mirrored my spiritual journey, responding only to my alignment. Never fear or force. 

She saw a version of me I couldn’t see yet. And led me toward her, enabling me to hold space for my clients’ transformations too.

In 13 years, Incandescent Creative has been through many evolutions…

(Check out these OG logos I designed—RIP)

Each one has brought me closer to myself.

And taught me:

Owning a business is so much more than what we do for work… it is the work.

It took me nearly a decade to understand that though.

Being both a brand designer and a “brand” you’d think I would’ve had a leg up on this whole branding thing…

(I didn’t.)

I still fell into the same trap so many conscious entrepreneurs do: I thought if I could just polish and perfect my brand enough, I’d finally feel confident. Finally be “successful.”

But the truth is I was hiding behind a mask in the name of my “brand.”

And no amount of polish can make up for a lack of truth. (Read that again.)

No wonder I felt disconnected from my business…

Why I wasn’t attracting aligned clients

Why I kept going back to an office job

Why it felt SO hard

Everything changed when I stopped looking outward and listened to what was whispering within...

I traded “expert advice” for intuition. Certainty for trust. Performance for vulnerability.

I let myself be seen, wholeheartedly.

Instead of a mask, my brand became an honest reflection of who I am and what I’m here to do.

The main takeaway is this:

Your heart is the only strategy you need.

Magnetic, soul-led brands are built from the inside out. Through alignment. They reflect who you are and who you’re becoming.

Your truth is where your brand’s real magic is ✨

Sat Nam,

Anika

PS: I design aligned brands for visionaries ready to be seen. If that’s you, reach out to book a free Clarity Conversation x

PPS: Did this land for you? Let me know in the comments below!

PPPS: A reminder… (pin to save for later)