Why wont they like my picture?

Have you ever posted what you thought was a great a picture of you only to have just 3 likes after 2 hours? Then not getting a lot of likes made you question the picture? 

Social media is a great tool for business, keeping in touch with friends and for getting news out there. It also presents quite a conundrum when it comes to issues of self image, self worth and esteem. As a Personal Branding Consultant one of the first points that I address with my clients is the need to have a healthy self image before working on their outfit or external image. 

I recently had a chat with Mental Health Expert and Independent Therapist Ms Shanel Nayang Monyere-Nikolic. A great point she made was "Remember not to let external validation go too far or else you give people around you permission to determine your worth and value. In such cases, find out the insecurities holding you back and work from the ground up to build your identity. Even when you practice such internal validation, beware not to give in to confirmation bias."

She went on further to say " What’s astounding is that when your wrong opinions are repeated a sufficient number of times, then your mind will reinforce a feedback loop. You’ll be more confident that what you believe is indeed true."

In closing our discussion, Shanel noted that "It's normal to seek some outside validation, but have confidence in yourself and accept your own identity. Have that balance of knowing yourself, but being open to others.

Coffee with Mr. Suave

This week I caught up with the ever stylish Thobo Kerekang; co founder of Keno Custom Suits. He also doubles as a corporate attorney with experience spanning just over 9 years. As a Personal Branding Consultant, I enjoy following stellar brands in Botswana. I love suits and so Thobo's clean and suave look is hard to miss. 

Keno Custom Suits has become quite the gold standard in the tailored suits space. 

I was curious to know how he built his brand and so I asked him a few questions. 

1. What 3 words would you use to describe your personal brand?

As a person who does not like being limited/ confined this is a challenge, but I would say “Classy, Elegant Visionary” 

2. What values guide you as an individual? 

I will not list them, but worth noting is that I am a driven individual. Experience has taught me to obtain inspiration in different circumstances, both good and bad. 

3. I have never seen a bad picture of you, is that by design or chance?

I do have some bad pictures. I just make myself appealing even when it’s a bad picture, lol. But I try to always make them look real good. It's not by chance. I am a slave to detail, if it wasn't for the good pictures chances are we would not be having this conversation. 

4. What do you want to be the first thought that comes to mind when someone hears the name Thobo Kerekang?

-  Ambition in human form. The man who does not believe in limits. 

5. You used to be known as a recording artist some years back. How did you manage to transition your brand from "the rapper" to the more corporate brand you have today?

To me it’s all about identifying your niche and then a game of consistency. There is always a market for whatever you are offering, you just need to be patient and smart enough to package your offering to the right people.

That's how my time with Thobo went. It's worth noting that the Keno brand just released "Elevate", their first perfume. It falls under the Keno Scents branch and is scheduled to hit markets this July.