WHY YOU SHOULD PROMOTE YOUR OWN NAME

ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP: creativity overflowing to the brim like tonic and gin. Why do I always say my name? Where should I begin?

We remember names.

If you want to win in life, build your name. You want to keep sharing your name to have it remain in the brain of others.

ERIC KIM: I try to put my name everywhere, just like the fashion designer ALEXANDER WANG. Or like LOUIS VUITTON. Or like CALVIN KLEIN.

We tend to remember names, better than “brands”. It is easy to remember names as a human being.

For example, some names I remember:

  • Hermes (the Greek god)
  • Nike (Greek goddess of victory)
  • Vera Wang
  • Christian Dior
  • Porsche (last name)
  • Rolls-Royce (two last names)
  • Lamborghini (Ferruccio)
  • Ford (Henry Ford)

It is human to remember names.

Personal “branding”

To “brand” yourself, it is smart to always mention your name whenever possible. For example, remember the movie line:

Bond, James Bond.

James Bond is not even a human being anymore. He is an immortal concept of badassery, courage, confidence, and the eternal bachelor.

I like to think of ERIC KIM the same way. I put my name everywhere I can — on my free ERIC KIM PRESETS, my ebooks, my blog posts, articles, poems, videos, etc. Why? I want my face, my soul, and my name to remain in the mind of others.

I want ERIC KIM to represent generosity, openness, and free empowering information. I want ERIC KIM to represent open source, and free information. I want ERIC KIM to become synonymous with photography. I want to be the poster child of loving economical things like RICOH, but also sensible enough to know the elegance of great designed things like LEICA and PORSCHE and APPLE.

Use your first and last name.

If you start a photo blog, an Instagram, or a company: use your own name. You want to become a recognizable household name; a rock star. You want to become a Taylor Swift, a Kanye West, a Jay-Z, James Dean, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or Audrey Hepburn. You might die physically, but your name will outlive you.

Your name will live on forever.

Even now, STEVE JOBS is one of my idols. I look up to him, as well as NIETZCHE, SENECA, and Marcus Aurelius. When I even think of their names, I think of grandeur, strength, and inspiration. They’re dead, but their legacy and name lives on.

How did they build up their name? Through the work they did. Steve Jobs and Jony Ive were Apple. Nietzsche wrote the most spirited poetic philosophy. Seneca practiced what he preached. Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations on Stoic philosophy, while wisely ruling the Roman Empire with justice and tolerance.

Jesus lives on, because he was the ultimate living example of fairness, forgiveness, and love.

You are not your name; your name is you.

If you want to create a company, business, do commerce, or become an entrepreneur, use your own name.

Own your name. Be proud of your name.

Also, create meaning in your name. Don’t change your name.

For example, ERIC KIM meant nothing when I was 0 years old. But over the last 29 years, I’ve been imbuing my name with meaning. I’ve been hustling, overcoming difficulty, sharing information and wealth, and seeking to improve myself and helping others.

So friend, be proud of your name. Say your name loud and proud, and share your name as much as you can.

Regardless of your pain and past history, write your own future autobiography.

You are not your name. Your name is you.

Be STRONG,
ERIC

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