I’m in FONK! 😁
And this time, with a topic that is actually quite personal:
“You don’t have to hide yourself to be taken seriously.”
For the first six years of my career, I almost always wore long sleeves.
Not because I didn’t like my tattoos.
Quite the opposite.
But because I was afraid people would judge my appearance before they even had the chance to see my work.
A beard. Tattoos.
Not exactly the stereotypical look of someone who works with corporates every day and regularly sits around the table on Amsterdam’s Zuidas.
So I adapted.
Until one day I thought:
Why?
My tattoos are part of me.
My beard is part of me.
The way I speak, do business and present myself is part of me.
And these days, I actually notice that it helps me too.
People remember you.
Not because you’re deliberately trying to be different, but because you’ve stopped trying to fit the standard image.
That doesn’t mean appearance doesn’t matter, by the way.
I actually believe strongly in personal branding.
Looking presentable.
Understanding the context you’re in.
Knowing what you want to communicate.
But you don’t have to become someone else to do that.
That’s what my article in FONK magazine is about.
And honestly, I’m pretty excited that I got to be interviewed about this.
My main message?
Be yourself, understand the context and ultimately let your results do the talking.
Thanks, FONK, for the platform! 🙏
🎥 Angelique Merks
