Nigerian entrepreneur and businessman Blord has shared an account of an unexpected interaction with a bank while seeking funding to expand his gadget business.
Speaking at a business summit in Asaba on August 27, Blord said he approached a bank for a ₦5 billion loan to increase the importation capacity of his gadget business.
According to the entrepreneur, the bank later contacted him and questioned why he had requested only ₦5 billion. He claimed the institution was willing to make as much as ₦12 billion available to him because of the confidence it had in his business profile and reputation.
Blord used the experience to make a broader point about personal branding and how entrepreneurs present themselves.
He argued that appearance, visible signs of success and strong personal packaging can influence how people perceive a businessperson and potentially create access to bigger opportunities.
The entrepreneur encouraged young Nigerians to pay attention to their presentation, business image and visibility, suggesting that these factors can contribute to attracting investors, clients and financial opportunities.
His comments have generated mixed reactions online. Some supporters agreed that branding and visibility can help entrepreneurs build credibility and attract opportunities, while others questioned the details of the loan claim.
Some commentators also pointed out that commercial banks typically assess factors such as repayment capacity, business performance and collateral before approving large loans.
Blord is the founder of Blord Group, a business conglomerate with interests reportedly spanning areas including cryptocurrency, fintech, real estate and gadgets.
His remarks have nevertheless sparked a wider conversation about the relationship between personal branding, perceived credibility and access to business capital, particularly for young entrepreneurs building businesses in Nigeria.
