Produced By - More Than LinkedIn: Building a Reputation People Remember | 170: Blessing Ikpia

Episode Date: September 21, 2026

Blessing Ikpia is a Growth Marketer, Co Founder of Elite Global AI, Founder of AI Women Rising and the creator behind the personal brand "Your LinkedIn Big Sister". In just over a year, she has built a LinkedIn community of more than 100,000 followers while helping AI and tech companies grow through marketing, community building and education. Alongside her work, she is passionate about creating opportunities for young professionals and empowering more women to build careers in AI. In this episode, Blessing shares her journey from studying healthcare to building a career in marketing, why lifelong learning remains one of her biggest priorities and how thinking long term has shaped both her personal and professional life. We also discuss the mindset behind growing a LinkedIn community of more than 100,000 followers, the importance of finding your own approach through experimentation and why consistency, building genuine relationships and creating value for others have been the foundations of her growth. Connect with Blessing:https://www.linkedin.com/in/blessingikpia/https://www.instagram.com/blessing_ikpia/https://www.tiktok.com/@your_linkedinbigsister Timestamps:  00:00 - Why education still matters 01:11 - Meet Blessing Ikpia 02:01 - The journey to 100,000 LinkedIn followers 03:07 - Becoming "Your LinkedIn Big Sister" 04:05 - Her journey from medicine to business 08:14 - Why she still invests in education 09:38 - Delegation and balancing multiple priorities 11:06 - Why she chose LinkedIn 13:26 - Trial and error behind her growth 15:27 - Her LinkedIn content strategy 17:05 - Her best advice for growing on LinkedIn 18:30 - How to build a loyal community 21:06 - Life outside LinkedIn 22:00 - Books that shaped her thinking 23:11 - Future plans and her mentorship programme 24:34 - Where to find Blessing 25:05 - Her final message 25:42 - How to pronounce Tomas Loucky 26:17 - Closing remarks Connect with Tomas:Stan: https://stan.store/TommenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasloucky/⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisistommen/⁠⁠Unproduced:Newsletter: https://unproduced.substack.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unproducednotesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033Ddo8ibDlLYoaP7FFLIWMore:Links: https://linktr.ee/produced_by⁠⁠⁠Patreon: https://patreon.com/tomaslouckyNewsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://producednewsletter.substack.com/⁠The Podcast Club: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/25420030/Tools & gear that support the show:Metricool: https://f.mtr.cool/HRJBZKFavikon: https://www.favikon.com?fpr=tommenRiverside: https://riverside.partnerlinks.io/2752q1ai767zRa Optics: https://ra-optics.myshopify.com/discount/TOMMEN?rfsn=8803777.591d19JamX: https://jamx.ai/podcasters-offer?ref_id=e02d48af-ef66-4e76-b804-c2e8d282a8bfSome links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you find them useful, using these links helps keep the podcast running. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The fact that you can still invest into your personal development beyond how much you're making. And funny enough, school does not have to pause because you're doing business. Now, there are online schools you can attend, which can give you almost the same training that you would get in a traditional school. So the point is the long-term benefit of education and personal learning supersedes the short-term gain of what you're doing today. terms of short-term rewards, short-term cash, I see it as an investment in myself to achieve my long-term goal. So it's a puzzle. Everything fits in. And as much as you want to believe that I'm doing a lot of things, I really don't think I am. It is a word of delegation. When someone is the founder or a co-founder, pretty much what you do is managerial stuff. Make sure you hire talents to work

with you, manage them, coordination, not necessarily the hard skills, in quote. Before we dive into today's episode, please hit that subscribe button. Your support helps us grow and inspire more people on their journeys. Thank you. Hello, Blessing. Thank you for joining us today and welcome to the show. Hi, Thomas. Nice to meet you as well.

So Blessin, for those who don't know you, can you please introduce yourself? Okay, so my name is Blessin, popularly known as your LinkedIn Big Sister. I have a brand on LinkedIn with over 100,000 followers. I'm the co-founder of elite global AI, which is an AI startup. Get towards B2B market place for businesses looking to develop AI products, yada, yada, yada. And then I'm also geared towards empowerment,

empowering young creators, empowering young professionals, connecting them to global opportunities, and just increasing their confidence, cash flow in the long run so yeah that is it and firstly as you said that and it's fresh news you just hit recently 100 000 followers which obviously is impressive milestone so what does it like for you it's been an interesting journey i started building on linked in last year january oh wow that's not that long actually considering obviously the number of Allegedly, I think I have, allegedly, I think I have one of the fastest LinkedIn growths ever.

As much as I have some strategies that I deploy, I will also say this is God's way of expounding this effort and bringing these results my way. So yeah, all glory to God. Did you celebrate it somehow? Yes, I did. I did. I went out with a few friends and I also celebrated on LinkedIn. Nice. I'm happy to hear that. I've seen the celebration like from other people from the repost that you share. It's really nice that it says a lot about your community that you build that other

people who are happy to celebrate it with you. So it was very nice to see. Thank you. And I like blessing what you said before about your tagline or the position that you are big LinkedIn sis. Let me double check so that I don't say your LinkedIn big sister. And I wonder what's the reasoning or story behind this. tagline or position or nickname. So that name was given to me by members of my community. I just noticed they were always adding that tagline to my comment section whenever I make a post. Thank you, LinkedIn Big Sister.

You are truly my LinkedIn Big Sister, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And voila, I just adopted it. So it was easy-peasy. Lemon Squeezy. I like it because I always say or I feel like that you need to have something unique. something that stands out. And I saw like the screenshots that you shared and T-plus sent you messages about LinkedIn, Big Sister. And then you see it in your tagline and it's automatically you and it's unique. So well done and it's a good one. Thank you.

And then Blessing, if you go a bit back to your journey, can you tell us like what we're interested in when you're younger before we discuss in more detail like marketing and your LinkedIn journey, maybe what you studied before? My journey has been pretty simple. I'm the first child of four, apparently the only girl. So I'm literally my mom's best friend till date. So it's been pretty much simple, easy. Middle class family went to school and I graduated about three years ago from university. And it's currently doing my master's program. Hopefully I should be done by August, fingers crossed. Nothing really much.

I'm a very strong advocate for education. I believe education is still the key for a lot of professionals and a lot of persons out there. I know people say stuff like these things have no monetary value and the likes. I would love to disagree. It's my bias. I really love school. And personally, I have a goal to have three master's degree and two PhD. Yes.

It's a personal goal. It has nothing to do with. Is there like any reason? Why one specifically free and then to PhD? So why is that? No reason. It's just a personal. It's something I've always, I've said it for the longest time. I've always, always really wanted to do it. I feel like there is how education affects your manner of approach,

thinking pattern in the long run, beyond what you are taught, the discipline, the mental pattern, and the mental strength as well, also has a significant role to play in how you interpret the world at large. And in the business world today, that is one great skill anyone can have. So, yeah, it's a win-win regardless. I like the mindset of learning. And now it's even more impressive that I was saying that before did you already do many things, like built your brand, then the businesses that you are involved in, making the impact, and now we find out that you're studying as well, and we have even bigger ambitions, which is impressive.

Thank you, Thomas. And what is it then actually that you studied either before or what you study now, what subject specifically? Okay, can you take a guess? Is it marketing? Nope, far from me. In fact, it's a medical course. Oh, wow.

I looked at your profile before, but I don't remember that, or I haven't checked, but I wouldn't guess this one, to be honest. Okay, so I studied medical physiology. In fact, I actually have a background in medical sciences before now, before I switch to marketing. So switching to business from a medical-related field is literally two ends of different holes, just like the east and the west. So a lot of people get shocked by that.

Yeah. And why then? this one, what was like your goal for the career, whether it was like a doctor, a nurse or something similar? I've always wanted to be a medical doctor. That has been the longest dream. In fact, that has been one dream I've had for a very long time. But then it switched at some points. Yes, it switched at some point. In fact, because the reason I had that as a goal was to make money. I felt like that would be the easiest part to make money. I'm super smart, super talented. I love

school, I'm bookworm. I literally have the qualities that will make me thrive in this field. But then, the reason I wanted to do it was to make money. And then when I found out there are other opportunities I can explore with this leverage point, I quickly switch

to business fast. Yep. Yeah. Yeah, I see. And then out ask, what's your motivation to continue with the education? Because I know that you said that you have your personal goal, such as to do it, but then considering your other goal to make money, your, for example, presents on LinkedIn and the businesses, I wonder if it's, you know, still worth it, although I understand the personal goal, but why do you then still continue if you are able to make money and you already do the stuff? That's the point. The fact that you can still invest into your personal development, beyond how much you're making, beyond.

And funny enough, school does not have to pause because you're doing business. Now there are online schools you can attend, which can give you almost the same training that you would get in a traditional school. So the point is the long-term benefit of education and personal learning, supersedes the short-term gain of what you're doing today. In terms of short-term rewards, short-term cash, I see it as an investment in myself to achieve my long-term goal. So it's a puzzle.

Everything fits in. And as much as you want to believe that I'm doing a lot of things, I really don't think I am. It is a word of delegation. When someone is the founder or a co-founder, pretty much what you do is managerial stuff. Managerial stuff, make sure you hire eight talents to work with you, manage them, coordination, not necessarily the hard skills, in quotes.

As much as managerial stuff are actually intense, but you really cannot compare them to these hard skills. So it's really a win-win. In a world of delegation, I feel we can make things work. It's about setting structure and systems that fit into these long-term goals. So yeah, it's a win-win. First, it's a great answer. I like the mindset of continuous learning and improving. And of course, the long-term vision, I think especially very relevant to, for example, LinkedIn, our favorite platform where some people look for, I don't know, overnight success, but it's really playing the long game, which perfectly fits with what you said.

And secondly, the delegation of working with people, because I was about to ask you how you manage the things, how you manage to do everything. But the truth is that there are people who do some things better than we do. And it's smart to let other people help you, delegate the work, and ultimately focus on what's the most important, isn't it? Yeah, we have to work as a team. And I realize you just have to in four hours in a day. How much can you really do? Get the people that are skilled to do these things.

Let them take it off your table while you push for the bigger goals. That's how it works. I agree. And then blessing when or why did you? you start like posting on LinkedIn in the first place? I think just like every other person, I wanted more opportunities. I wanted better opportunities and I wanted to increase my surface area for luck. I don't know if you get what I mean.

So yeah, it's the same reason, same reason, same old reason. And you could have chosen other platforms. So why LinkedIn specifically? It's easier. I mean, like we agreed before this session. You just have to type. You don't have to show your face on video, camera. So, I mean, it's super cool.

I just have to hide behind a profile. Yeah, you're right. But at the same time, I thought maybe when you started, you didn't have experience that you do now. So I was thinking, you know, because now you know that it's easier, that it's different, you know how it works. But when you're starting, you could have said, okay, I can start posting on Instagram,

just put some kind of pictures or some other platforms. or Instagram, I don't know, or maybe something else. I think that would have been the longer route because then I would have to make these videos, edit these videos, put myself on camera which I don't necessarily enjoy. So I still stand with the reason. Yeah, yeah, it makes sense. I said earlier, it's easier.

It's easier. And it has more leverage points. You have better networks. for my kind of person, I can't necessarily go on IG and TikTok and dance in front of a camera. I can't do that. I can't. So this sounds, this is more in tune to my personality. I'm more business focused, more career-driven. It felt more like me, my kind of person. And I think that is why I've been able to drive this much and grow this fast. I'm literally leaving my personality, just an extension of me. I'm not there to fake anything. This is me. I like it. And I agree with what you

said, like to be there, be as you, people sometimes look, I don't know for short cuts or how to stand out or secrets, but ultimately, there's a reason why it's called personal brand, isn't it? Because it's personal because it's you. It sounds obvious, but still, I think some people might forget it. Yeah. And then when you started, again, considering that in my opinion, it was quite a short span when you started considering how many followers you've got now. Did you start then with some kind of strategy or was it trial and error or what were the beginnings like? Yeah, it was purely trial and error.

I realized that was just, you know, I'm a very forward thinker, yeah. And this has also helped me in business as well. So before you start something, you have to count the cost. So you have to count the cost, the cost of achieving what you need. before you got me on this platform, you had to do some background work. So that is the sacrifice you had to pay for me being here. So it's same thing with personal branding. You have to count the cost.

You are coming up as a newbie. So meaning you would fail more times than you would win. Meaning you should be comfortable failing in public. Meaning you should be okay with not knowing the ropes at the beginning. But the point is don't stay there for long, find something that works and stick to it. So I started off as a newbie and over time I grew. I failed a lot. Initially when I started, I think I was making about two, three posts per day. I can't be anybody I did that. But I really needed to know the kind of content to put out there. So I was just destroying different topics,

different things. At some point, I was writing poems. At some point, I was writing poems. At some But I was just doing different things till I found what works and that's it. After all, I think there's the best approach because what might work for one person doesn't necessarily mean it's going to work for you. And the best way how to find out is to test it by yourself. Yeah. And now then since it's been while, what is it then that works the best for you when it comes to type of content or your posting strategy? So for my kind of person, my personality, I let my personality shine through my content. There are different strategies I use, but then I have a solid content calendar that works for me

and it just does the magic for me. Can you share more? Then I'm sure that people want to know if you are willing to share. Okay, so now I share opportunities to young professionals. So that means I have to come up with one or two opportunities per week, share my insight, from where I stand as a founder to job seekers rather, freelancers, remote workers and those trying to get gigs. I also share business insight as well, news updates that you would maybe on IG or TikTok, I bring it up to tech news updates, I bring it up to LinkedIn, you know,

bits and pieces of that, a bit of my wins as well, where I started from and where I started from and I am now. So it's been a perfect blend of everything. I like it. I was going to say that it's like to support and help people, but at the same time to help to support the growth of your own brand. Yeah. What about the posting strategy? Do you post every day? Yes, I do post every day, excluding Sundays. So that there is some time to rest as well. I do take breaks occasionally, maybe once in a while, once in a while. But then I'm used to it. Now I have a structure that works and I don't feel stressed. I don't look stressed. I don't sound stressed. So it just works for me. I like it. And it's again, as I said before, the best way to find for people what works for them. And now as you said what you post and when you post, I'm sure that people ask you

like about advice how to grow and just how to get maybe more followers. So what is it that you would recommend people to focus on, to do. It's still the same old way. We are always looking for new tricks. Support as many persons as you can. And that's it. Beyond the profile, generally support people, support their business, support other creators, post, show up for people.

And that's it. It's still the same old way. I agree, but still I think it's important to remind ourselves. because you can say that many times, but there are still people who will be looking for those hacks or secrets or something to make magic overnight. Again, it's still the same old way. We comment on other persons, be on other creators' comment section, like their posts, once in a while, send them a DM, just support as much as you can.

And that's it. People make up platforms. So when you focus on the people, you grow. There's true. And again, it sounds obvious that LinkedIn is network. working platform so you should use it to network. But that's the truth. Build those relationships, meet people and be nice. Yeah, that's it. And I think one great example from your presence is also building a community, which I would say that is one of the very important aspects or things to

focus on when you are on the platform. And I think you've got a great community, as you can see from comments on your posts or support, as we said, when celebrating the milestone. So, is that there like any, I guess the answer is similar to the previous one, but anything you'll recommend to build or grow your community? So when you show up for people, that's how you build a community. That's how you imprint your name in their hearts, their thoughts process, they want to look out for your posts when you show up for them. It's a give and take relationship, not parasitic though, but it's a symbiotic relationship

where everyone gains mutually, there is mutual gain. So building a community is the lifeline of growth on LinkedIn. That is how you grow, having people that would show up for you too thick and thin. I have people that would engage on my post and repost my post before even reading the post. That's very nice, yeah. That's loyal community. member, that is community, that is love. So yeah, when you show up for people, they would in turn show up for you. I like it and it's really nice to see. Of course, now you need to differentiate

when you see the post when someone has a lot of reposts. And sometimes, let's be honest, it's like maybe some people who use some kind of engagement pots or something like that. And then other people, like for example, you now who has loyal community and reposted. And it's really nice that they are these type of people who have that real community. And also one thing that I like, for example, on the post is when you see just the post, good morning queen or good morning big sister very early on the post, which perfectly shows and proves what you just describe. So it's really nice to see it takes time, but it's really worth it. A quick note before we continue. One of the things I've realized from hosting this podcast is that I spent a lot of time

thinking about the conversations long after they end. That's one of the reasons I started unproduced, a solo podcast where I share ideas, lessons, observations and questions I'm still figuring out myself. If you'd like to check it out, you'll find a link in the description. Now, back to the episode. So bless you. We discussed your LinkedIn, your presence, et cetera, and for your audience to get to know you a bit more, what are some of your hobbies or the things that you like to do in your free time?

I'm pretty much, if you've noticed, I'm pretty much a lot of persons. I mean, I'm an ambivots. I would have said an introvert, but no, I'm an ambitvart. So pretty much in my house, reading a book, watching TV, and that's it. I love going out with friends. I keep my circle really small, so I love going out with friends. I love traveling as well. I love traveling.

I love family something really I just love anything intimate not so much crowd just something intimate and sweet you mentioned you like reading

do you have any favorite books and any recommendations okay so what kind of books would you love me to recommend first of I love personal development books spiritual books physics books

okay so for personal development books you may want to read Outlier by Malcolm Gladwell. I highly, highly, highly recommend that book. And then I think the very first book I read was Richest Man in Babylon and I still read that book once every six months till now. So it's something that just reminds you to save and invest your money. I think it just gives you the basic principle of building wealth and creating businesses.

I liked Malcolm Gladwell. I remember when I read it, it was a great one. And The Richest Man in Babylon, I read some time ago, so I might remind myself. But those were great picks. Then you said that you like traveling? What's your favorite place you visited or a favorite place that you would like to visit? We can do Doha or anywhere in Dubai or Qatar. I really have a lot of places in mind. So picking one is quite a struggle.

A long travel list. Yeah. Yeah. And then, Blessin, do you have like any goals for the future that you would be willing to share, such as for the audience to be excited about, whether it's been upcoming, I don't know, weeks, months or even years? Yes, so I have a goal, something I'm working on, but it's still behind closed doors. I don't know if I can share all or I can share one. So I'm trying to develop a mentorship program, yeah, where I can help job seekers, freelancers,

young professionals in general, help them land remote jobs. But this is what I want to do. This is a twist because I know a lot of persons are doing this already. So what I want to do differently, I want to get companies, get partnerships with companies, startups, mid-level companies that are looking to hire during the time my mentorship program will be ongoing so that I can do the cross-link so that while you're getting into the mentorship program and while I'm training you, I'm directly connecting you. to these companies, either for internship, entry-level roles, mid-level roles.

I may not do advanced because that is more technical. But yeah, you would definitely land the gig within that time. So I will structure my mentorship program in such a way that by the end of one month's period, you're already working. It's going to be super, super insane and crazy, but highly, highly effective. Happy to hear that and, of course, hope it's going to be successful and well done on the impact the charm making. Can you then please Blessing summarize where people can find you,

follow you and promote any of your services? Okay, so you can hit me up on LinkedIn, Blessing Ikea, on TikTok, Instagram, your LinkedIn Big Sister, and on X, Blessing is your mom. My ex account is quite different for my LinkedIn. I'm also in Web 3, so I post about my Web 3 shenanigans on X. So yeah. I will as always add any links to.

the show notes. And then very last question, Blessing, is there anything I should have asked you and did not or any final message to leave the audience with? Don't give up to you win, fight until you win, and in all you do, win. I like it and I agree. Then Blessing, it's a shame that we didn't have more time to record, but maybe we can revisit some time in the future, but still it was great to meet you. I appreciate your time. I will be wishing you all the best and keep doing the great impact as until now. So thank you very much for your time. You too, Thomas.

Although I have a question for you, do what is the pronunciation, the right pronunciation to your name, so I don't mispronounce? So for me it's a bit different. It's Tomash. Marsh. Okay. What of the other name? Oh, my surname?

Yeah. Oh, it's a tough one. It's going to be very unexpected. it actually doesn't have anything to do with Lucky but simply Lodzki. Lodki. Yeah, nice, nice. Lodki. Oh, nice.

Very, very correct. So yeah, a blessing. Thank you. I understand your time. So, as I said, very happy to revisit any time in the future. And if you ever need anything from me, feel free to reach out. So thank you very much. Thanks for listening to Produce by with Tomen.

Check the show notes for. all the links and don't forget to subscribe, like and share your feedback. Speak soon.