Happy New Year 2023!
It’s obvious that it’s been a moment I have come around here. However, I have been working and doing great stuff on different channels, including my Personal Brand Website, my YouTube Channel and on all my socials (Instagram, Facebook & Linkedln). Please follow me stay connected on those channels.
How are you my friends? Thank you for sticking around all these years, I appreciate it.
Okay, today, I have some great stuff to share. Please take the time to read and please ask me your questions should you have any.
This article was born out of my early morning reflection. It was cold, I didn’t want to sit by my desk to write, I was in the holiday mood, but I had this thought on my mind to write to inspire you here in this brand new year.
Also, for some reason, I didn’t think I should write this on my socials. I felt like writing it on my website for those who would invest the time to visit the site to read. Here goes:
In 2001, I took my dear friend, now Dr Abi from Ibadan to Lagos to shop for clothes in Mandelas. Mandelas is a popular area of Lagos where you shop for clothing for less. Lesser than you would in boutiques on Opebi and Allen then.
Fast forward to 2022, although we have been in-touch on an ongoing basis, Abi, reached out to me to help prepare her for a very important interview. She was moving from an area of medicine to another. She wanted to specialise in Internal Medicine. She was going to compete in a nationwide interview to get the job and I would be the one to prepare her – nice challenge, I loved it.
Send me the job spec I said, I studied the medical jargon and voila, I understood the ask for the role. We jumped on 3 different one hour calls which included coaching, ideas on who to connect with and off Dr Abi went to compete with other candidates. She got the job!
TRANSFORMATION!
My reason for writing this article is that I haven’t changed. Although I have changed professions and career paths multiple times, the things I like hasn’t changed. Why? Keyword: TRANSFORMATION!
Here is my understanding of it:
When I helped Abi shop in Mandelas many years ago, all I wanted to do was to transform her look. She asked me to because she knew that I had the skill to do so. Then, I was studying Microbiology but I loved looking good, and helping others do the same. This led to me selling clothes and also styling others then and now as part of my personal development offering on mojisolaobazuaye.com
When Abi reached out to me to help prepare her for that interview, she reached out to me because she knew I could, I have the skill to. Now I work as a Human Resources Program Manager in my Corporate Career in a Fortune 100 Company and a Sole Trade as a HR Consultant, Career & Personal Development Coach & Speaker.
Here is the message my spirit wanted me to pass across this morning. The things we like or do may change but truly, the impact we were born to create or make don’t change. They can be fine tuned, shaped, decorated, re-packed or innovated but truly the impact we were born to give don’t necessarily change.
I can boldly say that when I styled Abi and more than 150 women, I had the gift of transformation.
Now that I help people differently to find jobs, change jobs, change career paths, (having done so myself multiple times), get promoted and maximise their potentials in and outside of the work place, I am helping to TRANSFORM them. So far, since I embarked on this journey of helping people with my professional experience and skills, we have helped more than 250 career professionals who earn a total of $IM+ in salary based on market value. In addition to thousands of people who consume the content we share on all social channels to change their lives with many testimonials like the one from Ayo below:
“Good day Mama, I trust that you are doing well. I hope you feel refreshed and healthier today. I just want to appreciate you for your investment in me. Looking back today, all that I had on my vision board as inspired by the class you organised l,” create the life you want vision board.” I dreamt it and it came to pass. Thank you, thank you,I sincerely appreciate you. I have just come to let you know that I am grateful. God bless you Ma’am”
Here are a few tips:
1. If you want to brand yourself, create value, make money and make lasting impact, you can start out by digging deep to understand what you like, then and now. For example, then I liked to help people and now I still like and enjoy helping people, albeit in different ways, my core purpose is “HELPING PEOPLE TRANSFORM”
2. Write a Keyword to describe what you stand for or what you want to be known for. For example, Transformation Coach OR Career Coach.
As at 2021, I re-branded as a Career & Personal Development Coach & Speaker.
3. Positioning & Showing Up
You would need to do the work that would help people understand who you are and what you stand for.
You don’t need fancy logos to start.
You don’t need a fancy website to start.
You don’t need fancy photoshoot to start.
You need you, your authentic self.
When I re-branded (changed career paths) in 2020, I made a video to announce the change. Afterwards, I continued to show up sharing knowledge & content in my new area of specialisation which led to the result shared above.
Up till now, some people do not reference me for my new brand identity, they are still stuck in my past brand identity. To such people, I am not bothered about why they have refused to change their minds. The result we have achieved speak for itself.
4. Learn to Sell
No matter what platform you choose to promote your personal brand, you must learn to sell with call to action.
For example,
a. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Career and Life Changing Motivation (add handle)
b. Follow me on Instagram (add handle)
c. Like my Facebook Page (add handle)
d. Book me to speak at your event by emailing me on (add email address)
etc
5. Brand Properly
Hopefully now you have some money for branding.
Now, it is a good time to have your website and build your own mailing list.
As you know, social media is good for awareness of brand and or for selling. However your mailing list is how best to connect with your audience or tribe or the people you should be serving or helping.
Note that you have not being called to serve everyone or help everyone. A little bit of market research or trial and error can help with this. This is beyond likes and reactions on Facebook or any social media channels.
For example, I help Career Professionals because there was a need for that.
6. Do the Work
You see now that I am talking about money. You see, there are a lot of very popular people who are broke, unfortunately. This is because being popular alone is not enough to make money, you must understand your value system, what you bring to the table and can monetise.
For example, helping women achieve flawless skin. How? Products, Services or Seminars. Discover this and leverage.
7. Narrow Down, Don’t Over-Narrow Your Niche
As of now, I have helped Black People, White People, Asian, Hindu, Christians, Muslims etc.
I am a Christian but I help Career Professionals & SME with HR – that is my niche. So, in my case, people’s religious beliefs or ethnic backgrounds do not affect my ideal or target audience.
Don’t just say because you are a Christian you only help Christians, that is over narrowing your niche. If it works for you, fine. The question is what is a business that doesn’t or can’t make money? That is just a hobby, I think. Don’t you think so too?
8. Document You
Many of us still have businesses we haven’t documented or legalised.
Depending on where you live, legal operation of your business or operating as a sole trader has its own advantages. Research what you need to do and comply.
A good example I Iike to give is one of my husband. Many years ago when he wanted to get his first British Visa, he would do adverts for his business on the Guardian Newspaper. The British Embassy told him as a business to present his Tax Clearance and that was it. They texted him to come get his Visa in 24hrs.
When you can, make it legit.
Other Tips:
1. Set short and long term goals.
2. Be patient with yourself.
3. Show up daily.
4. Rest. This is underrated BUT REST!
5. Don’t create products that people don’t need.
6. Find a problem to solve and then create a product for it.
7. Pay yourself.
8. Invest your money back in your business. Don’t spend your business money. This will help you grow your business and build wealth.
9. Hire people so you focus on the part of the business you enjoy.
10. Build a strong relationship and network.
Like I said above, this post was about as a morning reflection. I hope that you find it helpful. Do share your thoughts in the comments please.
If you need help on your career journey or want to land your dream job in 2023, do not hesitate to send me a mail on info@mojisolaobazuaye.com
Have a beautiful and blessed New Year ahead. May all your dreams come true. If you want to learn more on Personal Brand in an exclusive resource I created for a brand in Canada, please check HERE
