"A brand is built on character and authenticity, Steven, better known as DJ SO4KIS epitomizes both. After meeting Steven and seeing him hosting and DJing various events, the first thing I've noticed is he is looking to push the envelope, break the mold, and transcend "being just another Hop DJ." I also respect the fact that he creates his own lane and is committed to learning about himself and his industry to continuously revamp and build his brand."
Successful brands always challenge the status quo, they don't copy, they innovate, and their heads-down and focused on their growth. This is the exact mentality that I've seen Josh take with all of the brands that he is building, from 808's to his nonprofit, The Protege Project, and the freelance work he does outside of his 9-5. If you follow his Instagram you'll see him continuously leveling up his content and creatively highlighting his businesses in new ways, and if you know him outside of social media you'll realize the attention to detail and immense time and effort he pours into his businesses.
Successful brands are built on the right combination of confidence and humility, Brandon has that so I know there are great things in store for his brand "Moore in Dallas." One of the first things Brandon ever told me was, "Hey I heard you were 'that Brandon' in Dallas, I just wanted to let you know I'm coming for ya." It's attitudes like that that motivates everyone to work harder (especially me) at building their brands. Brandon is quick to ask for advice, eager to network, and a feign for learning more.
If we are talking about an exceptional brand builder, KG remains at the top of the list. I've witnessed first hand the time, hours, and energy KG puts into building his brand and what's even more impressive is the energy he puts into building those around him. KG utilizes his experiences, love for his family, and passions as the fuel for his COSIGN Magazine's and COSIGN Media Group's growth. Biggest takeaway: "Be Great and #COSIGN Yourself."
I don't really have to tell you about Sydney's brand because she makes it known and that in itself is iimppressive and feeds into her brand's grow when it comes to growing a brand. Sydney and her team have developed a niche of empowering young women through their brand's brunch series; and they do it through community, education, and libations always help. Her personal personality coexists with her brand effortlessly, giving her brand a personality that connects with her audience.
"This man is all about THE CULTURE! He operates a Sunday Brunch every month to highlight local Black Businesses and raise awareness throughout his community. In this effort of supporting these business, he also purchases their clothing to support them. His daily staple piece of clothing, of any outfit, is a dope graphic tee. I consider Pierre to be the Clark Kent of fashion because even as he wears his suits, or even his jeans and blazers, he ALWAYS wears a graphic tee to support the culture."
-B. Millage, The Millage
"Jamila definitely marches to the beat of her own drum, better yet 808s. What I admire most is her balance of her personal brand, Jay Sage, professional brand, 808 entertainment, and collaborations. Through deep subject matter expertise in the music industry, and commitment to highlighting Dallas events and tastemakers, and the fact that she is unapologetically true to herself. Oftentimes she is behind the scenes making magic happen - which is a great way for your work to speak for itself."
"Roby is an excellent example of a consistent personal brand. Through the content he puts out on social media to his involvements outside of his role at Nike. With a clear eye for marketing, pulse of the culture, and love of sports; he is a great example of how you can leverage your passions and occupation to develop a strong personal brand."
i believe my greatest accomplishment is being able to provide the support my family needs so they can have the opportunities to do whatever it is they want. outside of that, creating black market exchange has been a tremendous experience in that i'm able to help thousands of people that look just like me to get their financial house in check and build wealth for the future.
GREATness is a trait that lives inside each and every one of us, but it requires reflection and concentrated effort to bring it out. Being GREAT means to move with a positive aura, knowing you can accomplish whatever it is that you set your mind to while remaining humble and taking nothing for granted. It's being focused, diligent, resilient, and nimble while creating your own path to success.
My GREATest accomplishment is finding my voice from living with a mental health diagnosis and using that experience to help others.
Being great is when you are striving to become the best version of you. We’re born into a societal mindset driven community and a lot of people lose themselves. They’re stuck in a job, relationship, or situation that they don’t want to be in, but DECIDE to stay. BEing GREAT is making the choice to not let your situation define you.
When first starting a business, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a positive cash flow. One of the greatest moment in my life was the moment when I was doing my quarterly budget and I realized that I was financially free to cut my “corporate umbilical cord.” I know longer had to have a part time jobs in order to pay my bills. It was a great moment because I realized that all of my hard work was beginning to pay off.
I don't believe I've reached my GREATest accomplishment. However, I have conquered key milestones that have made me that much more closer to it. In fact, I believe setting out to move across the country without any family in Atlanta or any money to be honest was one of the most terrifying moments in my life that ultimately became one of the best decisions of my life. In detail, I enrolled into Morehouse College by faith and faith alone. The experience I gained at Morehouse College or in Atlanta at large was life changing. I was completely cultured shock being in a city predominantly ran by African Americans. Coupled with key leadership skills I gained at Morehouse College, I received a confident boost needed to be yet another African American World Changer.
My great moment was in 12th grade and being crowned as my high school’s first black Homecoming Queen. My dad was very sick at the time, so my older brother walked my down the field. When my name was called, he hit the dougie and everyone went crazy. It was his moment too.
Being Great means encompassing your true self, flexible and resilient. When you are great, you set a goal, look at what it takes to get there and you run through that shit and take it to a higher level. Taking your passion and fucking perfecting it.
(Excuse my language)
Being great to me is all about authentically living in your truth and exercising gratitude on a daily basis. It's tapping into your joy, pursuing your purpose and connecting with people who will not only support that purpose, but push you to become the best that you can be. Finally, being great is not just absorbing your greatness for yourself, but it's sharing it and encouraging others to embrace their greatness as well.
So far, my greatest accomplishment has been seeing the impact I have had on students of color in the Washington, D.C. metro area. I have had the opportunity to implement mentoring programs that help low income high school students gain the soft skills needed to succeed in high school and matriculate and persist through college. With the mentoring services that I have been able to assist in providing, these students have lower chances of engaging in risky behavior and dropping out of high school.
The greatest moment of my life was seeing my mother’s face and hugging her at the end of my college graduation ceremony. After 22 years of trials, tribulations, highs, and lows, the accomplishment served as reassurance to her that all her perseverance and resilience was worth it and paid off. I felt very happy knowing that my commitment to making her proud had reached a peak because when I graduated, she graduated again too.
