J. Kelly Hoey was the very first guest on Branding Room Only, and more than 100 episodes later, she's back. This time she's bringing a new book, a rabbit hole's worth of research, and a framework that challenges what most women have been told about how to build the relationships and the personal brand that move their careers forward. Kelly is a lawyer turned entrepreneur, networking expert, and bestselling author whose career has spanned big law, venture capital, and leading global communities. In her new book, The Social Billionaire, she draws on years of research showing that the women who flourish professionally do not mimic men. They follow a different playbook, one built on a specific network structure, a particular kind of focus, and the grit to keep showing up for it. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar and Kelly get into why so many women are doing all the right things and still not getting results, the network structure that high-achieving women use to get ahead, why your personal brand determines who is willing to vouch for you behind closed doors, and why the wealth you have been searching for might already be sitting right outside your office door. 1:35 – Kelly’s shifted perspective on networking and personal brand since her last show appearance, and why she wrote her newest book 2:43 – Why following networking advice tailored for men might actually be hindering your professional growth 8:33 – Kelly’s three-part framework and how it works as a filter for every goal, opportunity, and decision you face 18:08 – How a curated tribe of like-minded peers (when done right) changes everything else downstream for high-achieving women 24:18 – How strategic and reactive networks differ, and why trust is the currency that makes the whole thing work when you need it most 27:22 – Why some women feel resistance in making connections with women specifically (and people, in general) when it comes to networking 28:57 – Networking habits that might be hurting your brand and the current communication struggle some people have with others 39:12 – Why the wealth you need may already be hiding in plain sight 42:43 – How writing The Social Billionaire has changed the way Kelly shows up in, and the first move to make if you need to rethink your network 45:34 – The one relationship you’re probably ignoring that needs your attention right now, and the importance of seeing where you’re directing your energy 51:03 – The one shift Kelly wants you to make after reading her book, even if you do nothing else 54:57 – One thing about relationship-building that Kelly will never compromise on Mentioned In The Social Billionaire: Networking, Personal Brand, and the Wealth Hiding in Plain Sight with J. Kelly Hoey J. Kelly Hoey Learn More About Personal Branding Strategy Session Offer My Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today. Sponsor for this episode PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level. Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change. To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at info@paulaedgar.com, and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.
