Lots of Americans like ads, brands, etc. Phrases like "build one's brand" seem perfectly normal. I had a look at Jimmy Buffet's Wikipedia page the other day. He markets himself as "laid back". In reality he's a businessman who makes music. He has been working hard for many decades to build his brand to incredible levels of financial success. He's got a net worth of ~$1 billion. He didn't get that insane amount of money by lounging in a hammock.
Buffett is one of the world's richest musicians, with a net worth as of 2023 of $1 billion.
Lots of Americans like ads, brands, etc. Phrases like "build one's brand" seem perfectly normal. I had a look at Jimmy Buffet's Wikipedia page the other day. He markets himself as "laid back". In reality he's a businessman who makes music. He has been working hard for many decades to build his brand to incredible levels of financial success. He's got a net worth of ~$1 billion. He didn't get that insane amount of money by lounging in a hammock.
I think a lot of his fans are devoted to him for reasons they would never admit to. In American culture - there is a clear worship of fame and money.
His underpaid restaurant employees have been working hard to build his brand to incredible success.
Jimmy Buffet doesn't run a buffet chain.