We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Bin Kasongo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
John Bin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
First of all I’d like to thanks for the invite to be talking the litle things that i do understand of what i do owner representing Diversity Clothing Brand LLC, and JM’s Transportation Company LLC. I am happier as a business owner and it something that I do for passion love what I am doing and enjoying it, I sometimes experience a mix of emotions. While there may be moments of fulfillment and joy in creating the outcomes of my own, there can also be times of stress, uncertainty, and doubt. The thought of having a regular job it always cross minds during challenging times, such as when I’m facing financial difficulties or feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities.
I understand sometimes might imagine a scenario where a business owner is grappling with a tough decision, like whether to invest more resources into their venture or to cut their losses and pursue a stable job. In such of situation, might reflect on the security and predictability that a regular job offers, contrasting it with the risks and uncertainties of entrepreneurship.
Ultimately, each individual’s journey is unique, and my decision to continue as a business owner or transition to a regular job depends on various factors such as it is a passion for the venture, financial considerations, and personal goals. It may weigh the pros and cons, seek advice from mentors or peers, and ultimately make a choice that aligns with our values and aspirations as business owner.
John Bin , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
John Bin Kasongo I came from a very humble background but one thing that has stayed constant for me is my love for fashion. I love clothes, I love dressing up. If you follow my socials media account such as Instagram and facebook, I’m sure you know this. I used to get many compliments on my style and that boosted my confidence and made me know I’m doing something right.
In 4 years ago, I started college and just like many college students I was broke, my account never had more than 100 dollars. When I started school, I got a refund check for over 500 dollars. This refund was from all the financial aid I had received. I saw an opportunity, this was my chance to explore my interests.
I had always wanted to create something of my own and be my own Boss and this was my chance.
2019 saw “Diversity Brand” being born. This is a clothing line that is designed to highlight diversity, The slogan is “Die by representing your Diversity.” As I know diversity means different things to different people all over the world, they have their cultures and things that promoting their lifestyle of living.
This has been one of my biggest achievements, given that I was able to start while still a college student, and watch it grow.
One thing I’d like to mention to my fellow youths as one of my biggest lessons on this journey has been, that you don’t need big capital to start the business or the startup the process starts small and watch it grow. Another big one is it’s never too early to start. Remember, everyone can be an entrepreneur all you have to do is to start. Or whatever you think is most important to start being an entrepreneur.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
As mentioned earlier, approximately four years ago, I began my college journey with very limited financial resources, often having less than $100 in my account. Upon starting school, I received a refund check of over $500, stemming from the financial aid I had been granted. Recognizing this as an opportunity, I seized the chance to pursue my interests.
I had long harbored a desire to establish something of my own and become my own boss, and this moment marked the perfect opportunity. In 2019, “Diversity Brand” was born—a clothing line aimed at celebrating diversity, encapsulated by the slogan “Embrace Diversity, Embrace Life.” Diversity holds various meanings for people worldwide, reflecting their unique cultures and lifestyles.
Witnessing the growth of “Diversity Brand” has been among my most significant accomplishments, particularly as it commenced during my college years. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that one doesn’t need substantial capital to embark on entrepreneurial endeavors; starting small and nurturing growth is key. Additionally, the notion that it’s never too early to commence is paramount. It’s crucial to remember that entrepreneurship is accessible to everyone; the key is simply to initiate action and pursue one’s passions.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I started my social media journey back in 2019. I was new there and I didn’t know much about how to build an audience. But I was determined to make it, so I started posting my pictures on every platform I could think of. At first, I didn’t get much attention. But I kept posting, and slowly but surely, I started to gain followers. I started interacting with other artists and other people and I began to build a community.
One of the biggest things that helped me grow my audience was running contests and go live with friends such as followers on my Facebook and Instagram to tell them what I does to help me to promote myself. I would give away art prints, stickers, and other goodies to my followers. This was a great way to attract new people and to show my appreciation for my existing followers.
Another thing that helped me grow my audience was collaborating with other people who owned the businesses. I would do guest posts on their blogs, and they would do guest posts on mine. We would also promote each other’s work on social media. This was a great way to cross-promote each other’s work and to reach a new audience.
I also made sure to post high-quality content on a regular basis. I would post new art, behind-the-scenes photos, and videos. I would also write blog posts about my art and my creative process. This helped me to keep my audience engaged and interested in my work.
Building a social media audience takes time and effort, but it’s definitely possible. If you’re just starting out, here are a few tips:
Post high-quality content on a regular basis.
– Interact with your audience.
– Run contests and giveaways.
– Collaborate with other artists.
– Use relevant hashtags.
– Be patient and persistent.
– It takes time to build a social media audience, but if you’re consistent and put in the effort, you’ll eventually see the results. Just keep creating great content with high quality picture’s and interacting with your audience, and you’ll be on your way to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://diversitybrand.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5zASBnhpwi/?igsh=OXI4eDlhbGY3YWsx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/f4Boy272JbZQgiLL/?mibextid=WC7FNe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-kasongo-50a588165?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/johnbin18/status/1671350153892986882?s=46&t=d0PNZta0MtHAXv0FCZrosQ
Image Credits
The only pictures I’ve send is me and my fashion model Dieume Merci Kyanga.