Melissa Bediako

So what happened to ladies first? Oh well! That’s ok! I have so much respect for the guys that have gone before me that it’s even a pleasure to have also been asked to write for the Rogue Star blog.

Hi my name is Melissa! I also go by the name of Ghanaian Princess! Because my mum’s nickname for me is Princess, and I am proud to be of Ghanaian heritage.

Firstly, I am a graduate in Business Economics and Finance, and a partly qualified accountant! That’s the education part out of the way!

I have a passion for creating awareness for Autism, and last year I ran and finished the Flora London Marathon for the National Autistic Society, raising over £1000. And I am working on making donations to the Autism Training Centre in Ghana this year.

I have also done some presenting, working with MO-Am productions, Double M productions and West Coast Entertainment. I have had the privilege of interviewing Eddie Kadi, Richard Blackwood, Kojo the Comedian, Nathan, Bashy, and Yolanda Brown to name but a few.

In 2006 I entered the Miss Ghana UK Competition, and I was a top 5 finalist.

I also have a business called GPUK Jewellery, where I sell cultural jewellery. I design jewellery using the Ghanaian Adinkra symbols, as they have such great and positive meanings. They are messages and teachings from our ancestors that I believe should be shared, not only with Ghanaians, but with everyone around the world! If people can wear a horseshoes around their necks for good luck, they could wear a Ghanaian symbol that signifies the supremacy of God (Gye Nyame- http://www.gpukjewellery.co.uk/page4.htm). I promote conscious Jewellery with meaning. The collections vary in materials, from Silver to jewellery from Coconuts to jewellery made from plantain leaves! The company has been running since 2007. In 2008 I won a GPA Award for the young Creative Star of the year for GPUK. This year it was nominated for a BEFFTA Award for the Best Female Fashion Designer.

Image IS everything!

As I sit behind my Mac Book, I don’t care what I look like. I’m at home… my web cam is not on…No one can see me. The only thing that is a must however, is my lip-gloss, it has actually become an addiction now, and I even sleep with it on… but yep that’s just me…

BUT if I was to go out now… WOAH well that is a complete different story!

Don’t get me wrong I am not vain…well not really, but I DO care about what I look like when I am out and about!

I am a businesswoman. When I go out people don’t see me, they see GPUK Jewellery; and that’s what makes it important. I am a reflection of my business. If I was to go out in a non-presentable way, who would really buy any jewellery from me? They would be shocked that I actually had the cheek to sell them any jewellery at all! You laugh but trust me it’s TRUE!

So this is where Image comes in…

‘IMAGE is the OPINION of something/ someone that is held by the PUBLIC’

When you are in the public eye in any form, image becomes more and more important. You don’t have to be a celebrity in the Cheryl Cole sense, but in the public eye in any way it is a must whether you are a comedian, presenter, promoter, artist, DJ and any other profession…(entrepreneurs of today makes the list even longer!)

Let me give you an example, when Matt joined Xfactor he was ‘Matt with the hat’, pleased with his appearance but comfortable. Now he is Matt without the hat, wearing vest tops and well… a whole new Matt! Xfactor is a great example, when it is time for the live shows the image of the person you were supporting at the judges houses is completely different. This is mainly down to hair and makeup BUT Image is definitely where it is!

So the ‘Image is everything’ quote is taken from the 90’s Canon ad campaign made famous by Andre Agassi the sports man. It is so relevant for a celebrity to tell the whole world that Image is everything. A man, who had long hair and a rebellious image as a youngster, shaved his head and then told the whole world that “Image” was everything! Well better late than never right?

PR and Marketing companies believe image is the foundation of every business. They believe your image sets the tone. ‘You only have one chance to make a first impression.’ I nod my head in agreement with this one! There is no going back, and in business first impressions count! Everything you do is a form of communication. The way you dress, your hair, when you introduce yourself or your company…people are looking at YOU first!

For a business its easy…You can create an image for the business by creating a logo, its something to identify the company with. When they see the logo, they are supposed to see for example quality, success, and reliability, the values of the business as an entity. It’s very different, when YOU are the business! You should care deeply about the image that you portray to major stakeholders of your business, to customers, employees, and investors.

For a celebrity, the media and public play a very big role. Although the public may have their own opinion, the public’s perception can be guided through tactical customer consideration and public relation efforts. Having the right image and the right attitude can make the difference between catching the Coca Cola deal or not! It can be costly!!!  Being a celeb is more than the fans you know, there is a lot of behind the scenes work into their look.

I have recently come across a company called Potential You, set up by a stylist from The London College of Fashion. It focuses on personal styling; saying ‘Your clothes should be a reflection of who you are’. It provides a range of services for both men and women including personal shopping, wardrobe detox and corporate image. It’s like the real life Gok Wang service!. I love it!!!

I am very shocked and happy to come across the site because it supported my thoughts about image. The message was ’Your appearance also reflects the brand and identity of your business.’ If image is nothing, how could there be such a successful business running today? The website also mentions the value of that all-important FIRST IMPRESSION! What a brilliant service they are providing and I give them double thumbs up!!!!!

Your image is a visual thing, it’s a visual aid. As someone in the public eye, you create a picture, of what you want people to see when they see you! (The idea is not to create a false image…that would not be smart and very hard to keep up). Image is a form of communication, it does the talking!

You walk into a room with a smart suit… You say ‘I mean business’, without even saying any words.

You walk about town in RayBan sunglasses like Tinie Tempah, You say ‘I like quality and style’

You smile and you say I’m friendly!

You get the idea, right?

Image is not about pride or self-importance… So if you are in the public view think for a second, look in the mirror on your way out and ask yourself the following.. When people see me what do they see? How do I appear? Am I a good portrayal of my business? Or of my service? Are you putting the right image of yourself out there?

I hope I have inspired you to think outside the box and separate the thoughts of vanity and image. They are definitely different!