Blessing Okebe is a Facebook and Google certified Digital Marketer, a project manager and a corporate event host.
She is the founder of ‘Building Influential Brands’. A Facebook community focused on helping individuals discover what they want to be known for, build influence and visibility around it and make money out of it.
She is also the Lead Trainer at ‘The Brand Mastery Academy’ where she trains industry experts, career professionals, impact drivers and business owners to build and grow a profitable Brand and position it for Influence.
She is an OAP, Writer, speaker and teacher and has spoken on a number of media platforms across Nigeria.
She has also been nominated for several awards to which she was awarded some.
She believes in every man’s capability to live a life they truly desire and deserve.
She shares her “RUBY GIRL” story in this interview.
1. Let’s meet you. Who is Blessing Okebe?
Blessing Okebe is a Facebook and Google certified Digital Marketer, a project manager and a corporate event host.
She is the founder of ‘Building Influential Brands’. A Facebook community focused on helping individuals discover what they want to be known for, build influence and visibility around it and make money out of it.
She is also the Lead Trainer at ‘The Brand Mastery Academy’ where she trains industry experts, career professionals, impact drivers and business owners to build and grow a profitable Brand and position it for Influence.
She is an OAP, Writer, speaker and teacher and has spoken on a number of media platforms across Nigeria.
She has also been nominated for several awards to which she was awarded some.
She believes in every man’s capability to live a life they truly desire and deserve
2. What inspired you to choose a career in Mass Communication?
I have always loved to talk. Been in front of the Camera or a large number of people puts me in my element and this is something I can do even without getting paid.
3. What does being a brandpreneur entail? And what made you choose to become one?
BrandPreneur is a combination of Branding + Entrepreneur. Just like a modern day entrepreneur, I provide solutions to problems surrounding Branding. I help people go from obscurity to visibility and influence. I choose to become one because I am committed to helping people become the best version of themselves and being a BrandPreneur helps me achieve that.
4. As a digital marketing strategist, what do you feel is the greatest challenge of Nigerian businesses and brands in relation to digital marketing?
How to Sell without Selling. Most businesses migrate online with the same mindset they had offline, the mindset of making sales. While this is good, businesses must understand that promoting a business online comes with a different strategy. Relationship building is key. People come to interact and build relationships online and not to buy, that is why it is called SOCIAL media. Every business owner must therefore key into this to make money online.
They should focus on interactions and building relationships through creating valuable, relatable and consistent content around their business and around themselves. These content should focus around solving the problem of their target audience as regards to their brand/business. When this is done, it makes the target audience trust the business owner enough to do business with him/her and this is where they make the most sales
5. Your most memorable moment as a corporate event host?
Seeing the smiles on people’s faces, especially my hosts as they watch me do what I am definitely good at. Oh and the picture moments too.
6. One accessory you can’t leave home without?
My earpiece/headset. Helps me listen to podcasts on the go or while waiting. Enjoying good music is an added benefit too.
7. What are some challenges young people in Nigeria face in the process of carving out a name and brand for themselves?
Primarily confusion especially if they find what they can offer as value or if they are into several things and can’t find which to choose. I help them out by asking certain questions. Some of which are
Which are you most passionate about?
Which can you make money from?
Which have you built expertise or gotten results in?
Is there a ready market for it in your current environment?
Which do you see yourself doing in the next 3 to 5 years.
They also have issue on the kind of content to create and how to position themselves online for opportunities and influence. I solve this through my trainings and coaching sessions.
8. Mention five tips for young people trying to build their brand or venture into the digital marketing space.
– Define your WHY. Don’t start out on something because of pressure or because everyone is doing it.
– Understand that clarity is a journey. You will never have it all figured at once. The further you go, the clearer it becomes.
– Have the mind to SERVE and not to make money. Doing the first guarantees the second.
– Never take relationships for granted. Build profitable relationships with people below you, within you and above you.
– Never stop investing in yourself. The market out there is a very dynamic one. If you stop growing, you get left behind
9. If you were to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what would you change?
The educational curriculum. Infuse more practicals than theories and equip students with the right knowledge and tools they need to succeed in Nigeria. Knowledge surrounding money, entrepreneurship and business.
10. Mention 3 women who inspire you and why?
Adebola Deji-Kurunmi.
She is a pure definition of FireBrand and Slaying it.
Joyce Daniels.
She does exactly what I will achieve in my ‘Event Hosting’ career and she does it so well.
Adaora Lumina
Her creativity, thoughts and processes are not the usual, they are different.
11. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Travelling round the world, hosting corporate events, speaking to people and helping them go from obscurity to visibility and influence
12. How do you juggle academics and all other ventures?
Definitely not easy but I have learnt to prioritize which comes first in a particular season and for now it is my academics.
I manage my time productively for my business, work and trainings. Though this makes me miss out on some of the activities my mates are fortunate to engage in, I know my future self will thank me for it.
13. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of young females five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?
JUST START. Start anything, it doesn’t mean you always have to continue with it. Stop over thinking, most of these thoughts are just in your head and may not happen.
Expose yourself to new ideas, relationships and places.
Be selfless when building relationships especially with people you admire. Serve them with your skills and knowledge and don’t always think of what they can give you.
Whatever journey you embark on won’t be easy so prepare to be disappointed, confused, discouraged etc. But not matter what happens, keep pushing. Keep tweaking until you see what works, take a break if you must but make sure you come back stronger.
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