From a Financial Planner to an Agency Owner

In 2018, I sold my financial planning business.

Not because I had another job lined up.
Not because I had a clear plan.

I just knew that there was something bigger for me to do.

So I started a podcast.

I wanted to educate people.
I wanted to help them see that their potential is limitless.

But there was one problem.

Everyone in my network knew me as a financial planner.

If I wanted to shift that perception, I needed to be strategic.

And LinkedIn?

At the time, it wasn’t what it is today.

It was a platform for credentials, corporate updates, and industry knowledge.

But I noticed a shift. 

Some people were promoting themselves and building their personal brand.

As a newbie, I could have followed the trend.
Instead, I chose a different approach.

I wanted what I shared to be truthful and meaningful.

I spoke about my mission, my purpose, my why.

And within three months?

My following grew from 500 to over 30,000.

What I didn’t realise:
Key decision-makers were watching my every move.

Then, one day, I received a DM.

"I’ve been watching you for a while. I love your content. I’d love to learn how you can help us."

A CEO of a listed company.

We met the following week.

That conversation changed everything.

Because I saw firsthand that the corporate world was starving for genuine connection.

I understood his company’s vision, mission, and why.

And I realised that personal branding was exactly what he needed.

We have heard it before that “people connect with people, not corporations.”

That’s when Tima Elhajj Media was born.

Within the first week, we started working together.

His first post? It went viral.

Not because of algorithms.
Not because of tricks.

But because we focused on what actually matters:

His mission

His purpose

His story

That’s how I built my agency.

Fast forward to today…

• 300+ clients

• Purpose-driven personal brands across 10+ industries

• A business that aligns with my values

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned?

Likes are nice. Impressions are nice. Followers are nice.
I’m not going to pretend they aren’t.

But what truly matters?

Connecting with people on a human level.

That’s what makes you unforgettable.

And the way to do that?

Never steer away from your values.

Ensure your content aligns with who you are.

Create content that moves people, not just content that exists.

This isn’t just talent.

It’s a skill.

And it’s a skill that can be taught.

I’m excited to share everything I know with you.

Because the truth is, you’re closer to building something real than you think.

Tima x

P.S. I haven't shared my story in a while and I loved sharing this here with you as this newsletter feels so personal.

If you're reading this, feel free to reply to this email and suggest what I should discuss in the next email.