Everyone who still thinks that social media isn’t a crucial aspect of the business game is just doing it wrong, okay? While there are still a few old school businesses that refuse to accept this, social media platforms have grown to have an immense conversion power for pretty much any business. And as a CEO, it’s vital that you understand and embrace this power, otherwise you risk losing valuable customers.

Barion McQueen, CEO of The Brand Castle, has learned to use his social media presence to his advantage. Building an online persona in keeping with his real self, kindly but confident, Barion has managed to attract both a healthy stream of new customers to his branding and marketing agency, as well as a following of young entrepreneurs.

Looking for inspiration from someone who gets it, more and more young men and women at the start of their creative journey credit Barion, either directly or indirectly, with giving them much-needed advice and offering words of encouragement.

“Everyday is an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday. Do not ever put limits on your potential. I would have never thought I’d be a best selling author, but with some hard work & faith it was possible. Keep going and keep pushing to do all the things you’ve dreamed of.” 

This is the message that greets you as soon as you access Barion McQueen’s Facebook page. What immediately strikes you, scrolling through his social media posts is the upbeat and daring tone. He immediately comes across as an optimist and a dreamer, a man who believes in being creative and dreaming with your eyes open, but also believes in going the distance.

Bringing together a rare mix of creativity and ambition, Barion McQueen manages various businesses – from a hip-hop magazine, the “Hip Hop Dose”, to a profitable real estate business, “Real Estate Captured”. On his social media, he talks openly about his varied interests, plans of the future, as well as some personal musings about past failures and successes. And thus, combining advice with tales of his own experience, off the wall ideas with success examples, Barion serves as a constant source of inspiration.

By being honest. By never concealing the failures, but rather embracing them as a natural part of the road to success and learning from each. By offering his advice, not in a condescending tone, but rather in a humbling manner. 

If asked, Barion would tell you he is trying to be the voice of inspiration that he would have liked to have at his side, when he first started on this road.

An encouraging pat on the shoulder that says “You’ll be alright”, that’s what Barion McQueen strives to be. And ultimately, that’s what Barion McQueen is.