Ghalib Hassam

Baghi

If you're a B2B founder who wants to get ahead of the competition, you must leverage your founder brand on LinkedIn. Here's why:

1. Thought leadership.

Being a thought leader has quickly become a necessity - it plays a massive role in decision-making for your target audience.

It comes down to influencing decisions and being the first name that comes to mind when clients face challenges.

Here's what you can talk about in terms of insights that are unique to you:

i) Strong opinions that aren't available anywhere else.
ii) Insights on your target audience's problems.
iii) Commentary on industry practices.

The goal is to become the go-to expert in your industry.

2. Pain point content.

Address your target audience's problems in your content.

You need to consistently share insights around their problems and share content that shows them how you'd solve these issues.

Here's what you can talk about:

i) What problems are they facing?
ii) Why do they face these problems?
iii) How does you solve these problems for them?

The source material of this content comes from your subject matter expertise and existing customer data (sales calls\discovery calls)

It's okay to challenge the status quo and shake things up.

Present bold ideas that disrupt conventional thinking and set you apart as an thought leader.

3. The high cost of not leveraging you founder brand:

Each day without a strong LinkedIn presence is a day you're overlooked by potential clients seeking expertise.

And in today's digital world, visibility equals credibility. If you're not present, why should clients trust you?

What people fail to realise is that each day you stall, the space gets more and more crowded.

Every industry leader you admire didn't get there by chance.

They took bold steps to stand out.

And the risk isn't in putting yourself out there - it's in staying hidden while others dominate the space that could have been yours.

Founder - LinkedIn Strategist for B2B Founders

The Founder Lore Podcast

In this podcast, we sit down with founders who have leveraged their founder brands on LinkedIn to not only grow their businesses but also share their experiences in real time.

Each episode dives into the human side of entrepreneurship - the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the lessons learned along the way.

We go beyond the surface-level success stories and explore what it really takes to grow, lead, and scale while staying authentic.

Founder & Host

Mentoria Digitals.

Supporting the agency with:

1. Operations.
2. Processes.
3. Client delivery.

Strategic Advisor

Talent & Truth

Content And Strategy Manager

Kurogo

1. Working with Content Writers and Senior Team to execute positioning strategies effectively through high-quality content.

2. Manage and coordinate the output of the Content Writers and Social Community Executive to ensure all work is aligned with our clients’ strategies and is delivered to a high standard and on-time.

3. Crafting positioning strategies that align with clients' end goals.

4. Creating and running reports with our clients on the performance of their personal brand, alongside Content Writers and Social Community Executives.

Account Manager

I build busy CEOs\Founders' personal brands and position them as an authority in their market.

I've worked with CEOs\Founders from the DACH, MENA, and the UK.

With a well-positioned personal brand, you can:
 
- Grow a community.
- Get inbound leads.
- Attract talent.

Here's what I do:

- Communicate with CEOs\Founders and their marketing teams.

- Come up with a strategy that is aligned with their Personal Branding goals as well as their business\company goals.

- Form a community of professionals (networking is key)

First, you create demand for you and your services.
Second, you capture that demand in the form of a growing network, more leads, and attracting talent to your company.

All inbound.

Personal Brand Manager.

notus

This internship\part-time job was my first step into the world of Marketing\Personal Branding.

I learned a number things, but mainly:

• Copywriting - Creative.
• Account management for clients.
• Content Strategy.

Personal Brand Manager

Bahcesehir University

Didn't have the best of experiences:

- Tried to change their old ways of marketing but the top-level execs weren't flexible.

- Eventually decided it was better for me to look elsewhere to get to where I wanted:

Becoming a Demand Gen marketer.

BAU Global Representative.

‣Marketing the university along with its campuses abroad in the BAU Global network.
‣Reporting directly to the head of international relations.

Marketing International Student Assistant/Masters Student Assistant

ZTE Corporation

Intern

Account Manager @ Kurogo | We create thought leaders through personal branding

I grow B2B founder brands on LinkedIn through content.

Most of my clients are struggling with:

1. Can’t justify the time spent on LinkedIn.
2. Don’t know what to write about.
3. Not sure what the end goal is.

And so, I take them through a process that grows their LinkedIn and opens them up to new business opportunities:

1. Define how you want to position yourself against competitors.
2. Map out the core topics to write about.
3. Define the end-goal for LinkedIn.
4. Create content that attracts your target-audience.
5. Measure progress monthly.

Using this process, I’ve helped my clients:

📌 FOUNDER 1: Grew from 8K → 21K followers within 10 months.
📌 FOUNDER 2: Landed 5+ new business opportunities through LinkedIn.
📌 FOUNDER 3: Grew from 3K → 10K within 8 months.

If you want to become a thought leader in your industry and generate new business opportunities,

Click ‘Book an appointment’ at the top of my profile to see how I can help you.

Results for a client. Not bad for an all-time 'low reach' era on LinkedIn.

Built purely on thought leadership and giving value to the audience.

i build your founder brand with you, not for you (2hrs/month) | linkedIn GTM strategist

2 weeks ago, a started a new side-business. Here's an update:

For context:

I’ve started a physical business where I’ll be training students for IELTS. 

Questions I asked before launching:

- What is a proven problem in the market?
- Has steady demand... ideally till the end of time ;)
- Aligns with what I’m naturally good at.
- Can scale over time.
- And can eventually run without me.

So here’s how I’ve been approaching it:

1. First, I set up an Instagram account to start creating content, mostly educational posts, awareness pieces about what’s happening in the industry, and the gap I’m trying to fill.

2. Then I made a short introductory video, talking about my background, what I’m building, the kind of problems I’m solving, and where the business office is based.

3. I ran a small Instagram ad (just $30) targeted at my regional area to test the waters.

4. That ad started about 150 conversations, which was more than I expected for such a small test.

5. Meanwhile, I set up a small office + classroom to attend to people if they decide to visit.

5. After that, I hosted a mock class. A few people showed up, not a huge number but that's okay since there are bigger players in the market and I want to build a name first.

6. I cross-post with my other instagram account (18k) to borrow some credibility from it & so people can see I've done some stuff already (working with international agencies, building a remote career, my podcast, and running a business on LinkedIn)

Since then, I’ve been doubling down on two things:

1. Creating content to build digital presence.

2. Collaborating locally: I’ve partnered with a nearby café (pretty popular in the area) to host a free in-person event/workshop for this upcoming Tuesday.

The goal of the free workshop is to nurture the old leads, attract new ones, and make this business a familiar, trusted name in the region.

Would love to hear from someone who has built a similar business before just to bounce some ideas.

Elliehcoaching

Fad-free fitness through enjoyable programs that deliver results⚡️ Personal trainer & online fitness coach 💻

Certified Personal Trainer

Mind of a Marketerr

An Instagram page sharing things all things marketing with a sprinkle of LinkedIn to build a community of current and aspiring marketers

Founder

All Bar One

Worked in a part-time capacity as a waitress in a busy shopping and leisure complex All Bar One. The role involved a variety of tasks including serving food and drinks, maintaining the restaurant floor and controlling personal cash flow.
- Developed strong customer service skills in this customer facing role, proven through positive feedback reviews from customers.
- Worked cooperatively in a team, alongside managing personal responsibilities in a high pressure, fast based environment. 
- Developed problem solving and initiative in order to meet customers' needs and expectations to the best extent.

Waitress

Society for Abandoned Animals

Society for Abandoned Animals Volunteer, April 2016 - August 2019
- Demonstrated commitment through cleaning and maintaining rescue animals' living space, ensuring everywhere including public viewing areas were to a high standard. 
- Developed time management skills through the ability to complete all tasks to a high standard under a time constraint. 
- Led and participated in fundraising events involving interacting with the public where I was responsible for ensuring everything was organised appropriately, so the event could be as effective as possible, alongside controlling donations and money.

Volunteer Staff

PizzaExpress

Worked in a part-time role in a busy Pizza Express Restaurant. Tasks included meeting and seating guests, maintaining the restaurant floor and ensuring guests' satisfaction. 
- Learnt strategic thinking in order to meet company goals and guest requests
- Developed organisational skills in order to be able to stay on top of duties, and delegate personal tasks

Door Host

Trafford Veterinary Centre

5 day working week work experience in a local veterinary centre learning daily runnings' of a business, and in depth work carried out 
- Open to learning new things about how the industry operates 
- Was able to experience a period of time in a real working environment
- Learnt key skills such as operating a checking in system and efficiently book in clients using a timetable

Work Experience 

Progress in 30 days or your money back 💸 Fluff-free fitness to help you drop fat and gain muscle 🤝

What if I told you if I'm so confident in getting you results, I'll give you your money back if you don't?

If you're reading this, you probably:

1. want to start training but have no idea what to do
2. started training 13 times but just can't stay consistent
3. do training but getting fed up of waiting to see progress

Probably confused, bored or irritated.. or maybe all 3

Been there, done it. Trust me.

5 years ago I stepped into the weights section for the 1st time and hated it
Today I step into the weights section 5x a week and love it 

Yes for growing my body 
But also for the habits, discipline, patience and confidence 

And now, I’m helping people do the same. People like you

With no fad diets, no cutting carbs, no silly expectations,
but sustainable habits, education and of course, enjoyment. 

Because fitness is hard. But SO worth it 

My Online Coaching is OPEN.

This includes:
> A tailored program
> Customised calories and macros
> Demo videos
> Goal setting
> Progress tracking
> 7 day open support
> Weekly check ins
> Access to an app where you can track everything above 

Basically everything to get you results. In a healthy, sustainable and enjoyable way.

Sounds good? DM me the word "progress" or enquire here:
https://forms.gle/Jk3Cs7YrfYX38tTC9 

Ellie :)

Ellie Hines 🍋

I’m quite proud of this transformation:

But even prouder of these ones: 

Then: Felt embarrassed asking for help 
Now: Happily ask for advice - why not?!

Then: Failing felt like the biggest deal ever
Now: If I’m never failing, I’m never growing 

Then: Focused on trying to look like others
Now: Focused on being the fittest ME

Then: Wanted to give up if I couldn’t do it
Now: Determined to keep trying till I can

Then: Thought eating less was healthier 
Now: Ensure I FUEL enough everyday 

Then: Wanted fast results 
Now: Found love in the journey 

Gym transformations really don’t end at the mirror.

The BEST ones are internal. 

What’s yours?

No alternative text description for this image

I’ve grown an audience of 35k by posting fitness content, but I’m about to stop. Quick recap:

Started posting here about fitness in 2024
Became an in person PT + online coach
Gained a following of 30k on LinkedIn
Made and released my own fitness guides 

But now:

I’ve realised I don’t love being an online coach.
For different reasons. 
So, I’m stopping. 

If there’s one thing about me, I’m a quitter. 

I’m not wasting my time doing something I don’t want to do, when I have the privilege to change it.

I liked the coaching,
I enjoyed creating my products,
but I’ve LOVED writing on LinkedIn.

So why not try build something from that… 👀

I don’t really know what I’m doing
I don’t know how I’m gonna do it
I don’t know if I’ll make it work 
I don’t know if i’ll always love it

But I do know trying is better than doing another 12 months of something, while wondering about something else

Here’s some reminders:

💭 You don’t have to stay in something because you started it

💭 Hindsight doesn’t exist so it might not be how you imagined and that’s life

💭 Life is short enough and long enough to try different things, fail, change your mind, experiment etc.

P.s - I’m excited

In a LinkedIn of “I made £10,000 in the first month of self employment…” Here’s my truths:

- Income could half in a week
- Getting new clients is a graft
- My organisation is not on point
- Especially when you lose others
- There’s parts of the job I don’t like
- I always feel like I could be doing more
- The to-do list is literally ever ending
- I don’t know how long I’ll do it for
- It’s harder than I first expected
- Admin bores the life outta me
- Procrastination is my enemy

I LOVE self employment.

Because the benefits hugely win.

But here’s a reminder that in a world of LinkedIn wins; stress, struggles and slow progress still happen too (probably more than people think)

My take : no one gets their dream life without being a bit “cringe”

All the time I hear:

“I want to try this but it’s cringe”
“I don’t want to look stupid trying”
“No I’m not doing that, it’s embarrassing”

But: 

Your gave influencer was *cringe* when they were filming their first vlog

The biggest LI creators were *cringe* when they were posting to no-one 

The best entrepreneurs were *cringe* when they were offering products for free for feedback 

The 7 figure founders were *cringe* when they were cold DM’ing people about their idea 

Your fave podcaster was *cringe* when they were recording in their bedroom alone

Yet we hold ourselves back SO much because our ego gets in the way.

Our dream lives could literally be sitting on the other side of a bit of cringe, and a lot of hard work.

Maybe we should all be a bit more “cringe”?

I’ve been more productive the past 3 days than the past 3 months. 

Here’s what’s been happening:

- I’ll block out a day free of in person clients
- I’ll feel inspired by having loads of time
- I’ll watch some motivational videos
- I’ll get ready to transform my life
- I’ll realise I can’t do it in 1 day
- I’ll tell myself I’m a failure
- And do nothing at all

Lol 

Then I’ll tell myself I’ll do it next time 
And the exact same thing happens.

But this week a friend said
“set some smaller goals” 
so I did.
And it worked. 

The goals went from:

“grow a business where I can travel”
“write 2 weeks worth of content”
“plan out the next 57 steps”

to:

“change my LinkedIn banner”
“write my next 3 posts”
“do 1 hour of research”

and, I did them.

Sometimes the smallest steps are the ones that move the needle.  

So if you’re struggling to get to your big goals, 
maybe focus on the tiny ones

Direction > speed

Habits control your life. 
Here’s 20 I’m intentional with to improve mine:

(Productivity, health, happiness)

1. Walk outside every day 
2. Drink de caff tea after 3pm
3. Make my bed every morning 
4. Have notifications turned off
5. Dark chocolate most days (yum)
6. Choose my outfit the night before
7. Do a daily wordle + mini crossword 
8. Read non-fiction every single night
9. Set screen time limits on my phone
10. Listen to as much podcasts as music 
11. Write a “must do, should do, could do” list
12. Go to bed at the same time most nights
13. Always have a glass of water close by
14. Drink water as soon as I wake up
15. Light candles when I’m working 
16. Have a simple skin care routine 
17. Say hi to people when running 
18. Speak to people in the gym 
19. Keep fruit easily accessible 
20. Eat a balanced diet

Not huge. Not crazy.

But compounded, powerful. 

Over to you. What’s yours?

This 1 thing has been a daily non-negotiable for me for 10 years.

Exercise. 

10 years ago I was studying my A-LEVELS
Used the gym as a daily non-negotiable relief

Never turned back 

- Lift weights
- Go for a run
- Do a circuit
- A badminton match
- Bodyweight exercises
- Even some handstands
- On the worst days, a stretch

Something. Anything. Every day.

In 2020 it was a break from text books. 
Then over the past 10 years, it’s become:

- a hobby I love
- a genuine passion
- my mood regulator
- a huge part of my routine
- 1-2 hours of time to be alone
- something that gives me energy
- peace away from everyday stress

And I don’t think that will ever stop.

Believe it or not I actual LOVE training. 
It’s not a chore, it’s fun. 

And it improves the rest of the day too. 

Whether I’m researching, got my head in a laptop all day, a day full of in-person clients, or a day off to myself, it’s always better with movement

I recommend it.

Ps. - who’s tried padel?! That’s next on my list.

Probably shouldn’t be bragging about this on LinkedIn but I’m a professional quitter. 

At 16 I quit health and social 
At 18 I quit the opportunity to study @ uni

(I chose to resit my A-LEVELS)
(And got onto my dream course)

At 21 I quit that same course 10 weeks in 
(then re-studied marketing)
At 22 I quit trying to get a graduate job
At 25 I quit a new job 6 weeks in 

And 3 days ago I quit my online PT coaching business. 

Not the way 16 year old me thought it would go but maybe that’s a good thing. 

Sidenote - there is a lot of other things I’ve stuck to. 

Quitters get stick for quitting. 
Because people think you quit because it’s hard. 
Wrong. 

I’d say there’s 3 main reasons for mine:

1. It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be 
2. I’d outgrown it and needed something new
3. I changed my mind on what I wanted 

And I refuse to stay doing something:

1. to prove I can do
2. because quitting looks bad 
3. because it feels safter than change

And you should to. 

You can still be determined, ambitious, tenacious, *and* a quitter 

What’ve you quit?

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The Battle

Ghalib Hassam

Ellie Hines 🍋

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taplio

The Battle

Ghalib Hassam

Ellie Hines 🍋

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Ghalib Hassam's LinkedIn Performance

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