We were lucky to catch up with Rob Elings recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rob, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Well, I was born and raised near Amsterdam in the Netherlands (Europe), and grew up in a creative, artistic family where my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother, aunts and uncles were all creatively engaged in some way or other; creating art, painting, making music, making dolls, etc. Always busy doing something creative with their hands.

It felt that, for me, being creative was not even a conscious choice, but more like a natural, organic development of the person I was becoming and me wanting to express my experiences and views of the world in a creative way; My feelings about issues and current affairs, or the fantasy world where I might escape to as a kid, you know, like a 12 year old kid, losing myself, through my art in a fantasy world I made up.

And then later from around age 14 or so, I got involved in the graffiti scene spray painting street art on the walls, to a point where my brother and I were actually being commissioned and paid by shop owners to spray paint graffiti art on their outer and inner walls, to prevent their shop fronts from being vandalised. At times the city where we lived would commission us to do the same. That’s how we grew quite a reputation and jobs were rolling in. At age 16 we were charging $10,000 for a couple of days’ work. It was an awesome period, and a great way to learn really fast.

That was like my first taste of, “Hey, you know what, I can make money with my art, with my craft.” That’s when at age 15-16 the bigger jobs started coming in, doing graffiti art in different cities and because you’re out there being very visible, people will approach you or find you out and commission you for their work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Rob. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, which makes me Dutch (just to clarify, lol). I’ve lived in India, Singapore, New York and Bali and am currently living in Connecticut, USA with my wife, where we are part of a family-owned animal sanctuary for rescued farm animals. I am a brand designer and strategist, specializing in helping heart-centered, spiritually-oriented brands. My journey into this field started with a passion for authentic connection and a desire to support soul-led entrepreneurs in sharing their unique messages. I’m especially drawn to working with solopreneurs, coaches, and mentors who are dedicated to serving others and transforming lives.

I offer a range of products and services, from branding workshops to more in-depth services like the Soulful Branding Intensive, which I designed to help Conscious Creators clarify their message and align their brand with their spiritual values. My aim is to help clients break away from the superficial branding trends of social media and instead develop a brand that’s deeply rooted in who they are and what they believe in. I love providing practical tools for self-discovery, helping clients uncover what sets them apart and how they can serve their audience more meaningfully.

One of the aspects I’m most proud of is creating a space where branding becomes a journey of self-discovery and growth. My work goes beyond logos and color schemes—it’s about encouraging clients to tap into their spirituality and authenticity. By grounding their brand in their values, they’re not just building a business; they’re creating a legacy that reflects their highest self.

What I want people to know is that my brand exists to empower soulful creators. My goal is to provide a framework for growth that feels intentional, grounded, and spiritually fulfilling. I believe that when a creator is clear on who they are and what they’re here to offer, they become unstoppable. You can find more about my work on robelings.com and brandquestmedia.com

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to empower conscious creators to bring their unique, spiritually rooted visions to life. At the core of my creative journey is the belief that every brand has a deeper purpose, and my goal is to help uncover and amplify that purpose in a way that resonates authentically with the world. A brand without a purpose, is like a body without a soul.

I’m driven by the desire to bridge spirituality and personal branding, giving creators a way to express not just what they do, but who they truly are. My aim is to create a ripple effect, helping my clients share their gifts so that they can uplift and inspire others. I see each brand I work with as an extension of a larger, transformative journey—one that can positively impact both the creator and their audience.

This mission isn’t just about beautiful design or clever strategies; it’s about encouraging creators to find confidence in their message and stay true to their values. When they’re aligned with their spiritual core, they can connect on a deeper level and create a lasting impact. That’s what drives me each day, and it’s what makes this work so fulfilling.

How did you build your audience on social media?

The story of building my reputation in general, and my social media audience in particular, really began with my first client, though it wasn’t something I planned. I worked with a good friend of mine, an astrologer and life coach living in the UK. His website at the time didn’t capture his unique, heartfelt approach, and it came across as too corporate in my view, not at all representative of the genuine impact he had on his clients. So, without any personal agenda in mind and purely out of a desire to support his work, I redesigned his website, rewrote the messaging, and even created a brochure for him—all for free.

When we launched it, the response was incredible. He started getting positive reactions, and soon people in his circle were asking who had done his branding. This unexpected word-of-mouth led to more interest, and before I knew it, I was gaining recognition among others in the spiritually oriented space.

For anyone starting out on social media, I’d say: focus less on “audience-building” and more on building genuine relationships and offering value. Start by supporting people in your network with your unique skills; do work that you feel truly aligns with your values and intentions. Authenticity speaks louder than numbers, and it draws in people who really resonate with you. That’s what makes an audience that’s not just large, but engaged and aligned with your message.

Contact Info:

• Website: brandquestmedia.com / robelings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob_elings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rob.elings
• Twitter: https://x.com/RobElings
• Other: My online Community For Soul Education: https://soulquest.teachable.com/

Image Credits

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