Personal branding isn’t about self-promotion — it’s about making a promise. And sometimes, a powerful idea says more than a familiar name ever could.
The Story Behind “Excellence | By Sagarika Chikhale”
- May 4, 2025
- By Sagarika Chikhale
When I was building my portfolio, I was deeply intentional about every part of it, not just the projects, but the way the entire platform would represent who I am and what I believe in. One question kept coming up from people around me:
“Why did you name your portfolio Excellence, when most people just use their name?”
That question always made me smile, not because it caught me off guard, but because I wanted it to make people curious.
The truth is, the name of my portfolio wasn’t just a title. It was a decision rooted in something personal, something powerful. For me, Excellence | By Sagarika Chikhale isn’t a label, it’s a promise. A small but meaningful part of how I view my journey, my values, and the work I want to do in this world.
Why Not Just Use My Name?
Yes, it’s common to name a portfolio after yourself. It’s simple, professional, and clear. But for me, that didn’t feel complete. I didn’t just want people to see ‘my name’. I wanted them to feel something when they read the title. I wanted my portfolio to speak before even opening a single project. And what better word to do that than “Excellence”, a value that guides how I work, learn, grow, and live? In a world where names might be forgotten, a message can stay. And I wanted mine to be about a standard I hold close to my heart.
What “Excellence” Means to Me
To me, excellence is not about perfection. It’s not about having all the answers or never making mistakes. Excellence is about showing up with purpose. It’s about giving your full effort, not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. It’s about going the extra mile, staying curious, questioning what can be improved, and never losing sight of the details that matter. It’s about doing things not just to complete them, but to be proud of how they were done.
That’s the energy I bring into every portfolio project. Whether I’m working with data, designing visuals, or drawing insights, I keep asking myself:
• “Is this thoughtful?”
• “Is this meaningful?”
• “Is this aligned with the kind of work I want to be known for?”
Excellence, for me, is quiet discipline. It’s about staying consistent even when no one is watching.
A Personal Branding Choice — But So Much More
Yes, this name is a part of my personal branding strategy. In today’s professional world, branding isn’t reserved for companies anymore. Individuals are brands too. And branding isn’t just about logos or colors, it’s about the feeling you leave people with. The message that becomes associated with your name. By choosing “Excellence | By Sagarika Chikhale”, I’m creating a space where visitors, collaborators, and future employers instantly know what I stand for. And more than anything, I want them to know this:
Every project here is crafted with care, thought, and commitment — not just to complete a task, but to pursue growth and contribute meaningfully.
Excellence Is a Journey
I am still learning. I am still exploring. I am still growing. But this name reminds me, every day, of the kind of energy I want to carry forward. It reminds me that excellence isn’t something you arrive at, it’s something you choose, again and again, in how you show up, what you create, and how you treat others.
And that’s a journey I’m proud to be on.
