How Iyabo Bello Built a Powerful Personal Brand as a Founder & Business Leader in UK & Nigeria

Hi, I’m Iyabo Bello, founder of Mercy Elroi and iKooK. Today, I want to share with you my personal journey of building a powerful personal brand. Whether you are starting out or already on your path, these lessons have helped me grow as a business leader in both the UK and Nigeria—and they can work for you too.

Start with Who You Are

Before you build a brand, you must know yourself. I began by defining my core values, mission, and vision. Ask yourself:

• What do I stand for?
• What unique skills and experiences do I bring?
• How do I want people to remember me?

For me, authenticity was key. I learned that being honest about my journey, challenges, and successes helped me connect with others on a deeper level.

Build a Strong Online Presence

Your online presence is the first impression many people will have of you. I made sure to:

• Optimize my LinkedIn profile with a clear bio, professional photo, and detailed work history.
• Create a simple, clean personal website that shares my story, achievements, and insights.
• Use social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter to share regular updates, thoughts, and industry insights.

By being active and consistent online, I was able to build trust and showcase my expertise across two different markets.

Engage with Your Community

A personal brand grows when people start to know, trust, and engage with you. I made it a point to:

• Network both online and offline. I joined business groups and attended industry events in the UK and Nigeria.
• Share my experiences through blog posts, videos, and podcasts.
• Listen to others and offer help where I could.

This approach not only increased my visibility but also allowed me to learn from others, leading to valuable collaborations and partnerships.

Consistency is Key

No matter what you do, consistency makes all the difference. I learned early on that showing up every day is more important than trying to be perfect. I committed to:

• Posting regularly on social media.
• Keeping my messaging and visual style consistent.
• Continuously updating my knowledge and sharing new insights with my audience.

Over time, these small, consistent actions built a strong, reliable brand that people recognize and trust.

Be Open to Learning and Evolving

The business world is always changing. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. I made sure to:

• Seek feedback from mentors, colleagues, and my audience.
• Keep up with industry trends and adapt my strategies.
• Embrace new challenges as opportunities for growth.

This openness helped me stay ahead of the curve and maintain a brand that is both modern and relevant.

Final Thoughts

Building a powerful personal brand isn’t something that happens overnight—it takes time, effort, and a lot of self-reflection. I built my brand by staying true to my values, building a strong online presence, engaging with my community, and being consistent every day.

If you’re a founder or business leader looking to strengthen your personal brand, remember: start with who you are and let that shine through in everything you do.

Ready to Grow?

At Mercy Elroi, we believe in supporting founders every step of the way. If you need guidance on building your personal brand or growing your business, let’s talk. Book a consultation with me, Iyabo Bello, today and let’s create a brand that truly represents you.