• Barbara Corcoran

    “If you want to succeed in today’s competitive world, then a strong personal brand is an absolute must. That’s where Brand Up comes in. Stacey Cohen distills her decades of experience into a step-by-step guide for achieving college and career success. If you want to excel at networking and entrepreneurship in the classroom and in the boardroom, don’t miss Brand Up!”

    Barbara Corcoran
    Author, ABC’s Shark Tank Investor & Speaker
  • David Meltzer

    “Whether you’re working on college admissions, getting a job, moving into the world of trade or entrepreneurship, or chasing your greatest aspirations, Brand Up is a great guide to help build your personal brand and get an edge over your competition.”

    David Meltzer
    Co-Founder of Sports 1 Marketing, Bestselling Author and Top Business Coach
  • Seth Godin

    “Like it or not, you will be judged. This book helps you choose from a variety of ways to be sure that you’ll be seen the way you want to be seen.”

    Seth Godin
    Author, This Is Marketing
  • Marc Steren

    “For our under-resourced students, uncertainty for their college and career readiness impedes their future potential. Brand Up provides a step-by-step methodology to tell their stories in a positive, uplifting manner and to empower them to a better future. This book should be in every high school.”

    Marc Steren
    Co-Founder and Co-CEO, University Startups
  • Harry Moseley

    “The pandemic has changed the way we work forever. With the rise of technology and the gig economy, it’s more important than ever to prepare kids for the future. That’s where Brand Up comes in. The book provides students with skills to achieve academic and career success, including goal-setting, building a strong online presence, interviewing, networking, entrepreneurship, and so much more.”

    Harry Moseley
    Former Global Chief Information Officer, Zoom Video Communications
  • Allison Kluger

    “As a fellow branding expert, as well as an educator and parent of two teenagers, this book could not have come at a more opportune moment. I teach clients and graduate students how crucial it is to define your brand, highlight your superpowers, and differentiate yourself, so you can authentically be YOU. Brand Up champions these very notions! Brand Up instructs and guides our teens and young adults in the importance of thinking strategically while proudly leveraging their skills and unique qualities that make them marketable and successful.”

    Allison Kluger
    Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business/Communications and Media Coach
  • Natasha Graziano

    “Brand Up is an essential guide for any teen who wants to be successful in life. It is clear, relatable, and most importantly, it prepares teens to thrive in the real world. The self-awareness exercises included throughout the book provide an excellent opportunity for readers to reflect on their beliefs and start making positive changes in their thinking. As a mindset coach, I can attest to the power of having a growth mindset in achieving all kinds of goals — not just those that involve college.”

    Natasha Graziano
    Mindset coach, Bestselling Author, Be It Until You Become It, and Top Motivational Speaker
  • Stephanie Cartin

    “Brand Up is aligned with our mission to inspire current and future generations of women leaders to start and grow their businesses. Empowering youth with entrepreneurial skills will help more women launch their own businesses, creating a more diverse and innovative workforce. We need more women leaders in the world, and this playbook is a significant step toward making that happen.”

    Stephanie Cartin
    CEO, Entreprenista Media
  •  Tanya Avrith

    “Essential life skills often not taught in schools. It’s only a matter of time before you will be Googled. High school students, college students, adults. It’s inevitable. This easy-to-read workbook provides actionable strategies to help students learn how to effectively tell their personal story and control their own narrative. These essential skills will help give them an edge in all stages of life. An absolute must read. ”

    Tanya Avrith
    M.A. EdTech, Education Strategist, Co- Author, The Google Infused Classroom
  • KAYKO

    “To succeed in the modern entrepreneurial age, you NEED to know who you are, showcase your strengths, and authentically tell your story. Brand Up provides valuable insider secrets and tools to help you stand out in a world filled with noise and everyone vying for attention. The personal branding and life skill lessons I gained were essential to my development as a digital entrepreneur.”

    KAYKO
    Nashville Artist & Songwriter
  • Julie Cottineau

    “Brand Up is a game changer. It shows teens how to create a brand that will make them stand out from the crowd and get noticed by colleges, employers, coaches, and more. It also provides tools they need to level up essential life skills such as networking and interviewing.”

    Julie Cottineau
    Founder & CEO, BrandTwist
  • Courtney Spritzer

    “We all need to be aware of how we are presenting ourselves to the world, and teens must be intentional about building a positive digital footprint. Whether seeking to go to college, become an influencer, score a dream internship, or start a business, this playbook will get you started on your journey to success. Packed with tips, tricks, and strategies, Brand Up is a must-read for any teen who wants to get ahead in today’s competitive world.”

    Courtney Spritzer
    CEO, Socialfly
  •  Craig Vezina

    “This is the book I wish I had growing up and the one I want for my children! Drawing on her unparalleled experiences and insights, Stacey Ross Cohen provides so much more than great advice... she offers a practical, accessible, and empowering ‘how to’ for teens to both imagine and shape their own futures. Brand Up is the ultimate roadmap to flourish in a world of ever-growing complexity and uncertainty.”

    Craig Vezina
    Co-Founder, CEO, The Spaceship Academy
  • Dr. Anthony M. Criniti IV (aka “Dr. Finance®”),

    “Stacey Ross Cohen is an authority on branding! Learning about personal branding is crucial for entrepreneurs of all ages. The sooner you learn it, the better. Brand Up capitalizes on this concept by focusing on teaching teens the value of branding. A perfect subject to learn for the right age group.”

    Dr. Anthony M. Criniti IV (aka “Dr. Finance®”),
    The World’s Leading Financial Scientist and Author of three #1 International Bestselling Finance Books
  • Samantha Hreschak

    “Take it from me – don’t judge personal branding until you’ve learned about it and have read this book! Although skeptical when I was required to take a personal brand-ing class in high school (taught by contributor Jason Shaffer), this class was life-changing: it helped me become more self-aware, build a solid online reputation, get accepted into my top choice school, and recently nabbed my dream job. As an artistic person and visual learner, I loved being able to create my ‘digital footprint’ the way I wanted others to see it. Whether applying for a job or college, this book will help you tell your story, find your strengths, and showcase your skills.”

    Samantha Hreschak
    University of Central Florida, 2022; Costuming Cast Member, Walt Disney World
  • Orane Barrett

    “One of the key factors in workforce preparation is personal branding – being memorable, unique, and standing out. Brand Up does just that. The book’s focus on the high school years will help our potential diverse future workers make a mark in our increasingly connected world. We highly recommend this book to students for their preparation for the workforce.”

    Orane Barrett
    CEO, Kool Nerd Connect
  • David Meerman Scott

    “When you apply for a seat at a competitive university or that first job at a hot company, never forget that you are the product and you’re in charge! Stacey shows you how to create a personal brand that stands out from hundreds of other people who simply send in an application.”

    David Meerman Scott
    Bestselling Author of 13 books including The New Rules of Marketing and PR, now available in 29 languages
  • Lainie Rowell

    “As an educator and a parent, I’m truly grateful for the actionable tools and strategies provided in this engaging book! It isn’t easy making something complex and nuanced this accessible, but Stacey Ross Cohen does this masterfully. An essential read for teens, parents, educators, those who influence our future leaders, and really anyone who wants to untap their limitless potential!”

    Lainie Rowell
    Bestselling Author, Award-Winning Educator, and TEDx Speaker
  • Anthony R. Davidson

    Colleges should produce well-rounded professionals who, not only receive an education, but have also been taught how to understand life. Consequently, being college-ready is also about having life skills. And that is precisely what sets this book apart! More than ever, kids need to develop skills such as personal branding, networking, and interviewing. It’s not just about having perfect GPAs and test scores. Plus, it’s essential for teens to get a jump start building a positive online presence.”

    Anthony R. Davidson
    PhD, MBA; Dean, Fordham University, School of Professional and Continuing Studies

A Message from Stacey

Welcome,

Brand Up is more than a book. It’s a movement!  Whether pursuing admission into your number one college or an interview at your dream job, standing out has never been more critical. In today’s cluttered and connected environment, you must be impressively unique. The competition is fierce — and only getting more so.

My mission is to assist parents and teens in navigating the ever-changing admission process, empower youth to make a bold impression and capture the attention of decision-makers (college admissions, scholarships, internships, jobs). Integral to the conversation is empowering teens with real-world skills like Networking, Interviewing, Goal Setting, Interviewing, Empathy, and LinkedIn.

Take it from someone who is a twin; the best compliment I have ever received is you are unique! As a twin, my struggle to cultivate my own identity made me more sensitive to the need to develop one's uniqueness. And if I can do it, so can you!

Along the way to your destination, expect obstacles — from pandemics to social injustice. It's not easy growing up in these times, which is all the more reason to stay true to yourself and pursue your passions and goals with zest. No matter your path in life, Brand Up will give you the roadmap you need to get there.

I’m here to help bring out your inner champion and can't wait to see what you achieve! Now go out there and write your own story. 




As Featured in


Here's a taste. Let's start building your future now.

About Stacey Ross Cohen

 

In the world of branding, few experts possess the savvy and instinct of Stacey Ross Cohen. An award-winning brand professional who earned her stripes on Madison Avenue and at major television networks before launching her own agency, Stacey specializes in "everything" branding. She is the CEO and founder of Co-Communications, a public relations, marketing, and design agency headquartered in New York. Since 1998, Stacey has coached individuals and businesses across various industries - from real estate and health care to education and professional services - and expertly positions their narratives in fiercely competitive markets. A staple at industry conferences, Stacey recently made her debut on the TEDx stage. She is a contributor at the Huffington Post and Entrepreneur and has been featured in Forbes, Crain's Entrepreneur, and a suite of other national media. She holds a BS from Syracuse University, an MBA from Fordham University, and a certificate in Media, Technology, and Entertainment from NYU Leonard Stern School of Business. 

Stacey is an entrepreneur at heart: She started her first business when she was just 14 years old and is now a member of a prominent angel investor group. Standing out has always been a matter of course for her. As a twin, Stacey's struggle to cultivate her own identity made her more sensitive to the need to develop uniqueness. The book draws on Stacey's 25-plus years of experience building both personal and business brands. She is extremely passionate about helping high school students cultivate, perfect, and activate their personal brand to become tomorrow's leaders.


Jason Shaffer

Jason Shaffer is a trailblazer in creating progressive curriculum which equips and empowers middle and high school students with the necessary skills in today's innovation economy. Jason is currently an Innovation Institute Instructor at Lake Highland Preparatory School, where he teaches entrepreneurship to middle school students to fuel work/life success. He previously developed the Personal Branding and Digital Communications curriculum for North Broward Preparatory School and has taught hundreds of students how to expertly manage their social media profiles and behaviors. Jason's curriculum, a graduation requirement at North Broward Prep, has become a model for schools nationwide. Jason has been recognized for his teaching excellence with North Broward's Soaring Eagle award and the Meritas Excellence in Teaching award. Jason received his B.A. in History from Florida Atlantic University. 


Alan Katzman

Alan is a pioneer in developing and advancing techniques to teach students how to use social media. He helps teens build a compelling and reflective digital presence as a game-changing tool for creating academic and career success. Alan is a sought-after speaker for high school students, parents, and educational professionals while frequently participating in education-related events nationwide. Alan has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC News, NPR, USA Today, Forbes, Business Insider, and Social Media Today. Alan made his foray into social media education with the launch of Social Assurity in 2013 and has licensed its social media courseware to thousands of students nationwide. Before forming Social Assurity, Alan served as executive legal counsel for several start-ups and Fortune 500 technology companies, where he managed the law, compliance, and administrative functions. Alan received his B.A. from the University at Albany and his J.D. from Albany Law School.