From Burnout to Brand Boss: The Real Story Behind ComePlum
What do photographing snow globes, selling ketchup at Whole Foods, and being published in Vogue have in common? If you’re Praise Santos, the answer is: they all led to ComePlum.
In a world that loves a linear success story, Praise offers something far more real. Her journey into business didn’t start with a 10-year plan. It started with burnout, a borrowed camera, and a deep desire to create beauty with purpose.
Now, she leads a team of photographers and creatives, helps entrepreneurs express their brand values visually, and runs a business that doubles as a women’s empowerment movement.
Accidental CEO Energy? 100%. Intentional Leadership? Also 100%.
Praise didn’t grow up thinking she’d be a business owner. She studied communications, worked at nonprofits, and did all the “right” things until her health and energy hit a wall. That’s when she made a choice: to create a business that made her feel alive again.
Instead of diving into the perfect niche, she said yes to anything that paid the bills. Real estate. Weddings. Baby showers. She hustled. But over time, she noticed something: the shoots that gave her energy were the ones where she got to serve female entrepreneurs.
Those moments weren’t just photoshoots—they were transformational conversations. Coaching sessions disguised as creative work. That’s when ComePlum began to evolve.
Branding Isn’t Just Aesthetics. It’s Identity Work.
Most people think branding starts with logos and colors. Praise starts with questions.
What do you want people to feel when they see your work? When did you feel most alive in your business? What impact are you here to make?
Her process is rooted in giving clients the space to find clarity—not just visually, but emotionally. Because if your brand isn’t aligned with your values, your audience can feel it. And so can you.
Empowerment Is the End Goal
Praise says it best: “ComePlum is a branding studio, but really we’re a women’s empowerment company that happens to do branding.”
Every interaction with her team is designed to make clients feel three things: inspired, resourced, and confident. That’s the internal brand strategy behind the visuals. It’s why clients walk away with more than photos—they walk away with clarity.
On Being Published and Teaching the Big Dogs
Her work has appeared in Vogue, GoGirl, and Forbes. She’s taught brand strategy to the Golden State Warriors Dance Team and Shopify entrepreneurs. But what matters most? Staying true to the values that got her here.
She didn’t get published because she chased press. She got published because she created something real: Ethical Weddings. A project that asks, “How can we celebrate without disconnecting from global realities?” That’s the kind of alignment that attracts the right kind of attention.
So, What Can You Learn from Praise?
- Start before you’re ready. Confidence is a result, not a prerequisite.
- Follow the energy. If it lights you up, that’s your direction.
- Make space to listen. Your brand starts with self-awareness.
- Empower others, not just yourself. It’s the best brand strategy you’ll ever implement.
- Growth isn’t always about scaling. Sometimes it’s about going deeper, not wider.
Ready to Brand with Heart?
If you’re building something that matters and need visuals that align with your values, Praise is your go-to. Her studio doesn’t just make things pretty. They make them powerful.
Check out ComePlum or explore her passion project at ethical-weddings.com.
And if you loved this episode, share it with a fellow creative entrepreneur. Let’s build businesses that feel like us—and serve like we mean it.
SUBSCRIBE ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLAYER
