“Your personal brand when consciously built can be a force for good or a force for destruction.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2024
“Lead how you like to be led.”
Isaac Mashman · Goodreads
“Being brutally honest may hurt our clients’ feelings, but will have the best results in the long run.”
Isaac Mashman · ValiantCEO, 2024
“Wielding influence is by far more dangerous than having fame. Influence is concentrated power.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Thinking that you can buy your way into a positive reputation is a fool’s way of thinking.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Acknowledging your mistakes does not make you any less of a person; acknowledging mistakes shows character and that you are willing to accept accountability and adopt change.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“In a world full of narcissists, be a grateful friend.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Do not abuse this gift, as it takes hundreds of years for the mightiest oak tree to be nurtured and grown, but only minutes for it to get cut down.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Our focus is on making you press-worthy, not someone who has to pay for the press.”
Isaac Mashman · CanvasRebel, 2023
“To give support should be commonplace in our society, not to be asked for.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2024
“Public relations, as with all forms of branding and marketing is manipulation. This is why you have to have a firm ethic standing to engage in these practices.”
Isaac Mashman · Goodreads
“Admiration isn’t flattery. Admiration is showing earned respect.”
Isaac Mashman · Goodreads
“High pressure salesmen focus on the short term incentives to outweigh the long term cons”
Isaac Mashman · Goodreads
“If you are confident in your ethics and morals, you shouldn’t concern yourself with the thought of how you will be with money.”
Isaac Mashman · Goodreads
“Leadership is the act of setting the example for other people to follow.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“Influence itself is impartial, but the aftermath of that influence is not.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“A leader does not let other people influence their morals, their beliefs, their values.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“It is better to give the credit to another person than take the credit because it helps that other person succeed.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“You also need to take credit when things don't go as planned.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“I value my show and my branding way too much to just sell it out for a price tag.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“Influence without control is a weapon of mass destruction.”
Isaac Mashman · Goodreads
“I will never post a picture in front of a rented car, or Airbnb and act like it’s mine.”
Isaac Mashman · The Total Entrepreneurs, 2021
“Speak up for what you believe in. But do not make that your entire life to where you fail to pursue what you really want to pursue.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“Social media is a highlight reel and most of these ‘gurus’ will never share the bloopers.”
Isaac Mashman · The Total Entrepreneurs, 2021
“Being fueled by pride will cause you to lie to the one person you should never lie to.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Speaking of ChatGPT, use AI to help you plan, review, and research information but don’t let it write FOR you.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2023
“Influence is both a gift and honor deserving of respect.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Just because they can sell someone something, does not mean that they should.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Real leaders create more leaders and right now we have a bunch of bosses creating sheep and bossing people around.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“There are a ton of pay to win plays out there currently, from paying your way into Forbes, to botting your account with fake followers, and it can be remarkably easy to fall for the trap of quick satisfaction.”
Isaac Mashman · Shoutout LA, 2021
“As long as you do something ethically, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being highly competitive.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“I want to see personal brands become more than just a tool for self-promotion. I want them to become beacons of leadership, influence, and positive change in their industries and communities.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2024
“Far too many people rely on shortcuts like paid press or superficial growth tactics to build their influence.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2024
“There are so many people who feel trapped into buying their followers and success in front of rented cars, but we’d rather help those who want to become a public figure worth following.”
Isaac Mashman · CanvasRebel, 2023
“Directed influence of any sort is manipulation. The distinction is found in the intent behind the action itself.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“It is always better to give endorsements without being asked.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I run from pay-to-play press or shady tactics to stay within my individual morals.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2025
“Don't pose in front of fake Lamborghinis or fake cars or fake jewelry. Be real and be genuine and be yourself. But also realize that by becoming well known and establishing a name for yourself, your future self will be thanking you.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“A person whose word isn't backed up by actions does not foster an attitude of trust or communicate competence.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Good deeds should be done out of the kindness of your heart, nothing more.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Like the criticisms that Bernays had for public relations, a primary flaw of personal branding as a field is that it is closely attached to a person’s sense of identity, their goals, and their vanity.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2026
“Using AI is not disqualifying. Concealing it is, and so is using it to manufacture a perception a client has not earned.”
Isaac Mashman · Executive Thoughts, 2026
“There are so many positive use cases for PR that many people will unfortunately never see.”
Isaac Mashman · Prowly, 2022
“We should never change our character of being to try and adapt to another’s expectations.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I sleep better at night knowing if that someone on my team is going through a rough time, not just in our business, but on their own, they have access to someone who can walk with them.”
Isaac Mashman · Pulse, 2021
“Never sell out your personal brand for something you don’t even use.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Honesty helps you avoid most pitfalls.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Integrity is about doing the right thing even when nobody's watching.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“How you handle your accomplishments is almost as important as getting the accomplishment itself.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you say it, you have to do it. Just saying words and not following through with action gives you a bad rep, makes you look like the boy who cried wolf.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“The current state of entrepreneurship is upside down. There is less emphasis on problem-solving and building something than there is on the lifestyle that comes from being in a point of affluence.”
Isaac Mashman · The Total Entrepreneurs, 2021
“You can achieve success very quickly without a lot of thought. But at the same time, are you achieving that level of success in a moral and ethical way?”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2021
“I will definitely never buy fake followers and mentions just to appear more credible than I actually am.”
Isaac Mashman · The Total Entrepreneurs, 2021
“You may see some commas in your bank today but in 10 years will they be there?”
Isaac Mashman · The Total Entrepreneurs, 2021
“Be firm in your ethics and morals.”
Isaac Mashman · The Total Entrepreneurs, 2021
“Our work and strategies in their entirety must be ethical.”
Isaac Mashman · ValiantCEO, 2024
“We will never make guarantees we cannot keep, so for example, if a client wants to land an article in Forbes or grow to a million followers in 30 days, we can tell them that they are more likely to hit this over the span of a year, instead.”
Isaac Mashman · ValiantCEO, 2024
“This is not only about keeping an image but concerns developing the understanding that every action in your life has a deserved reaction.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“In a relatively short span of time, I have seen a lot of online entrepreneurs and so called ‘gurus’ come and go.”
Isaac Mashman · Voyage LA, 2021
“I personally have spent $0 on PR and all of $10 in ads going back to 2018, on building my company and personal brand. No fake followers. No immoral or unethical practices.”
Isaac Mashman · Voyage LA, 2021
“The bystander syndrome, the whole, I'm going to stand on the sidelines and take my phone and record, is what the world needs less of.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2021
“I ran from the idea of launching a consultancy for the longest time because I questioned my own capabilities. It's kind of like the person who launches a social media course before they build their own social media pages.”
Isaac Mashman · Starter Story, 2024
“Biases are a result of influence.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“You have a duty to the people who are following you.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2021
“A widely known personal brand gives you the overhead to talk about the things you care about, spread awareness, spark and progress movements, and is conducive to doing good with low cost and high efficiency.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Authenticity is your genuineness. It's how much you are not fabricating the truth.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2022
“Our culture as it exists today is filled with false promises, controlled narratives, and fluff.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“There's nothing wrong with chasing desires that are healthy that do not trample on other people around you.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2022
“As you increase your rates, you now have a higher expectation placed on the results that you are delivering.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2022
“Make it a part of your lifestyle to do something every single day for another person.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2022
“A lot of people build up a personal brand online, but they don't actually embody that personal brand that they're pushing online in real life.”
Isaac Mashman · DoubleB Creates Podcast, 2020
“If you're not proud of representing it, you should change companies. It's as simple as that.”
Isaac Mashman · Sales Rep Radio, 2021
“Send that message, respond to the comment, clean up after yourself in the gym, pick up the piece of trash in the road, and return the shopping cart.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Although your motivating factor for building your personal brand might be vanity, your mindset should not be vain.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Be honest, be truthful, have integrity, have a moral compass, a moral code, and your personal brand will thank you for it, the people in your network will thank you for it, and trust your own ability and start building that confidence.”
Isaac Mashman · Headsmack: Conversations with Misfits, 2024
“Your obligation is not only excellence, your obligation is to get people to know about you because you have the ability to help them.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Just because you have the power to do something doesn't mean you need to do it. You need to have integrity.”
Isaac Mashman · The Profitable Creative, 2025
“I believe fame can be used to open up doors that are closed to the general public, but step over too much, Lust, Greed, and Envy will ensue.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Losing sight of the bigger picture and the intent behind building your personal brand is what leads to the path of depravity and poor decision making.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Influence in the symbolic hands of dark triad types, when unchallenged or outmaneuvered, has consequences that are impossible to understate.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“As you are growing your own influence, my hope is that you do good with it.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“You have an obligation to adhere to the ethics of man.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Be cautious with your endorsements, research things before you speak, and understand your ideologies are no longer your own.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you once launched a podcast in 2008 and have not had one since, does it make sense for you to say that you’re a podcast host?”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you cannot duplicate your success, you should not be charging for it.”
Isaac Mashman · Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, 2024
“It is much better to be a good practitioner of your faith and simply show it in a way that does not tout ego.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“There is this innate gut feeling of, this isn't really legitimate, but the hope is what leads the person to make the purchase.”
Isaac Mashman · Sales and Cigars, 2024
“Business should not be a game of optics in so much as a game of execution.”
Isaac Mashman · Sapient, 2024
“I'm not trying to convince anybody. I'm creating content and episodes that I genuinely know will help people, and I believe that.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2022
“Your personal brand is yours and the degree of privacy that you are willing to sacrifice should be done meticulously and methodically.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I have no issue with somebody being inspired by my actions and putting their spin on it, but when it is verbatim, the exact copy, it rubs me the wrong way.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you copy someone too aggressively and who is widely known, and it appears as such, people will doubt you for your originality, and it can actually affect your reputation in a negative way.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Money is ultimately a reflection of you. So if you're naturally a bad person, money's going to exacerbate that, compared to if you're a good person, money gives you more ability to do good with it.”
Isaac Mashman · Outlier's Edge Podcast with Niiamah Ashong, 2024
“There's a difference between copying somebody and being influenced by them.”
Isaac Mashman · Outlier's Edge Podcast with Niiamah Ashong, 2024
“So build your personal brand to where the press comes to you, or to where you could get into the press without having to pay your way in, because that's what legitimate media does.”
Isaac Mashman · The Maverrik Podcast, 2022
“You can't let a bully internet culture make you into something that you're not or make you feel a certain type of way.”
Isaac Mashman · Chase the Vision, 2020
“One of the biggest lessons that I took when it came to making money was that if you want to make more money, you help more people.”
Isaac Mashman · Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast, 2025
“I haven't had to spend any money on paid press out of pocket, and I think that's exceptional compared to a lot of the other pay-to-win strategies that happen today.”
Isaac Mashman · Podcasting 101 with RSS.com, 2022
“Coming from that place of let me sell you versus let me help you is important. That's a lesson that I've learned over the past year.”
Isaac Mashman · The Joseph Graham Show, 2024
“Think about the biggest oak tree. It's hundreds of years. But I could go with a couple of guys with a chainsaw and cut down that tree in less than a day. That's very similar to your reputation and to your brand.”
Isaac Mashman · Lets Have This Conversation, 2024
“If you attempt to make things right, you’re at least able to demonstrate to the public that you’re working to fix what happened to the best of your abilities.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I'm going to tell you what I would do if I was in your situation, and I want to tell you what has worked for me. It might not always work for you.”
Isaac Mashman · Zane Speaks Out, 2019
“Influence is a burden that forces and requires an individual to behave differently. To act with righteousness and keep the right company.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I have to be careful the way that I influence these people, because I have people watching, I have people observing me.”
Isaac Mashman · Zane Speaks Out, 2019
“The best way to avoid losing leverage is to be strict in your actions and not fall susceptible to temptations.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Leverage is also found in the falsification of truth.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“The business guru who rents his Lamborghini and acts like a high-flyer treads a very fine line of what is honest and what is false.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Leverage in any form comes with a risk and it is simply better to be a good person, than to ever sacrifice your fortune, financially and otherwise, in foolish hopes of obtaining something you do not deserve.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Pay-to-win tactics are representative of the fact you are not good enough; otherwise, why would you have to convince others to pay attention using your dollars?”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I am proud to say that I have never paid out-of-pocket for any press feature.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Don’t let yourself be led on by those vanity metrics that would drive you to make a rash purchase that sacrifices your laurels in an attempt to boost or artificially bolster your credibility.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Bots are, in essence, fake accounts that do little more than contribute to your follower count; it’s not like they provide genuine engagement or have networks of their own to share your content with.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Unfortunately where there is opportunity, people with impatient ambition will also be found.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I doubt the media outlets want this kind of scrutiny, besides, what kind of credible public figure needs to pay to be featured and what does it say about the outlet if those featured in it, paid?”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you're a legitimate public figure, if you're somebody who has legitimate credibility and authority, you should be the one getting paid. You should never pay.”
Isaac Mashman · Visibility Era, 2024
“Make your selfless intentions public.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If someone says you don’t need a contract, do another evaluation to ensure their intentions are of pure heart as contracts are meant to protect everyone involved.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I'm not going to speak on something unless I've been able to actually experience it, do it, or I'm knowledgeable on the subject. How can I speak about a people if I've never been to that place?”
Isaac Mashman · United Podcast Experience, 2019
“If you do choose to comment on things outside of your trade such as politics, religion, or societal issues, do so with class and intention.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“No degree of good press or how much you pay a public relations firm to squash stories, will be able to fully cover it up, at least not in the age of the internet.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“A difference exists between openly criticizing or questioning a person and purposely going out of your way to harm their reputation and good standing with the public.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Defamation is nasty for everybody involved and it is much better to avoid making any negative statements about others especially when you don't have the facts or are operating emotionally.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Avoid name-dropping or mentioning anybody by name as it makes you appear to be a person who thrives on drama and as though you are targeting others for their success, especially if they are within your profession.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Society appreciates transparency and if you act as if you are holier than thou, you're putting on a façade which only gets you so far.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Acting as the perfect narcissist who neglects accountability is not something you would like to be known for.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Manipulation can be defined as an abuse of a position of authority.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“As your credibility and reach grows, your ability to manipulate grows in parallel.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Influence is the heat you are looking for but if you don’t employ proper safety-precautions and respect its dangers, you will get burned.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Your followers have expectations and endorsements are extensions of your good faith and your personal influence.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Never edify without properly vetting and verifying that the person is worthy of edification.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“There must be a balance between selfless value and selfish aggrandizing.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Honor your supporters in public and in private as showing gratitude is a sign of leadership; humility is visible in the person who shares in their accomplishments.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you say that you're going to do something, for your sake, do it!”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Understand that breaking your word may result in broken relationships as you can only go back on your bond so many times before good faith runs dry.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I am in the school of thought that there should be a balance between selfish intent and selfless giving.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“There is no such thing as pure selflessness unless we're referring to holy men themselves.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Transparency returns your investment many times over and most appreciate it if you are up front with them.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Only launch incentives that you intend on keeping and have the sustained mindset to promote.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Good deeds are best performed in private and not used as short-sighted ways to boost one’s image or visibility.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you're somebody who cares deeply and wants to perform good deeds, all attention must be directed away from you and onto the cause itself. You can record a video where you give money to a homeless man, but have you once talked about the homelessness issue in your content?”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I made one post on social media about this and left it there. I didn't feel the need to continue basking in something that I would have done without social media.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Your intention is not to use public speaking as an opportunity to line your pocketbook. Your intention with selling from stage is to sell your expertise and provide strategic value to every single person who already paid a premium to be in attendance.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“To have as they say, an ‘authentic’ personal brand, it must be built off of the back of truthfulness with self and honesty in your actions.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Give them a reason to approach the professional and never ask for an introduction for introduction's sake. Have a purpose behind it!”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“The last thing you want people to do is waste your time, so why would you waste another’s?”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you choose to object to opportunities, do so with class and respect.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“If you are certain that somebody has the ill-conceived intent to harm or take advantage of you, you do not owe an explanation; you do not have to respond, but if you choose to do so, do not attack them.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“A substantial issue with people who are working to build their personal brand and are particularly driven by money and vanity, is that they lose sight of the bigger picture. They think that they are bigger than they actually are.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Approach offers that come to your desk without greed.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Additionally, many times my ‘colleagues’ implement short-term strategies themselves, paying for awards and press, rather than becoming press-worthy.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Your personal brand is a gift. It is something that you should cherish and respect.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Address concerns as they come, associate with the right people, and what you wouldn’t talk about with associates, friends, and family, don’t talk about publicly.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Nobody will see all the offers that get presented to you, the opportunities that you turn down, or the backdoor deals that you could have taken.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Taking credit is less about boasting over your work and is more about publicly displaying your competency and efforts. Asking for accreditation is not a show of ego, but of respect for yourself and towards those you’re working alongside with, or for.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Never take credit for something you don’t deserve.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“You don’t go to a fine dining restaurant wearing basketball shorts and you don’t curse around elderly people. These are more than formalities, they’re proper ways of behavior that represent appreciation and respect for the subjects at hand.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“I adhere to the idea that an expert is obligated to share their expertise.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“You have the ability to build your personal brand in one of two ways. One is by putting on a mask that covers up your true self, and the other is by displaying the person you actually see in the mirror.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
“Do not use the psychological aspects to your gain if it ends in the downfall of another. There is more than enough for all of us.”
Isaac Mashman · The Manifesto, Second Edition
