In this episode of the Mind Soak Podcast, I sit down with Mij, a personal branding strategist who went from travel vlogging during the pandemic to running her own consultancy helping founders grow through LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram.

We dive into:

• Why she quit her monetized YouTube channel
• The mental health struggles behind content creation
• Lessons learned from failed business attempts
• Building a purpose-driven brand that lasts
• Influencers vs entrepreneurs — and what the future holds

If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or unsure of where to start, this conversation will show you why starting anywherematters and how to align your vision with your business.

👉 Follow Mij on Instagram: @mijgon_b

👉 Listen to more Mind Soak episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEQmON-sjU8&list=PLzYbMNvjdryG1D5K026ZjEA0FRP7rODRv

Timestamps: 

00:00 – Why Mij quit her monetized YouTube channel
02:10 – The pressure of always vlogging
05:30 – What she learned working full-time in marketing
07:40 – Discovering writing and LinkedIn as creative outlets
10:40 – Growing up in Tajikistan and building resilience
13:30 – How scholarships and volunteering shaped her mindset
15:40 – First travels and starting YouTube with Jakarta vlogs
17:20 – Using past footage creatively to tell new stories
20:20 – Lessons from marketing: work with what you have
23:10 – Launching her personal branding consultancy
24:40 – Why your deeper “why” matters in business
26:40 – Her first failed jewelry business and identity crisis
29:00 – Why starting a business is humbling
31:20 – How Bali pushed her into entrepreneurship
36:00 – Finding the right environment for growth
38:00 – The pyramid framework: purpose, storytelling, strategy
42:00 – Are influencers on their way out?
45:10 – Turning personal brand into real business
49:20 – How to uncover your vision and purpose
51:00 – Asking for help and finding mentors
54:30 – Why you need community on the same journey
56:00 – Final advice: action, resilience, and purpose