Leaders Perception Magazine is currently running an interview series called – Innovate & Elevate: Inside the Entrepreneur’s Toolkit
Today, we had the opportunity to interview Talyn Rahman-Figueroa – Personal Brand Consultant @ Boss Diolomat.
Talyn Rahman-Figueroa is a Personal Brand Consultant and the founder of Boss Diplomat, a business that helps small business owners level up their brand, image, and storytelling. With a background in diplomacy and a passion for helping others, Talyn has implemented an innovative approach to business growth that has enabled her to foster authentic and mutually beneficial relationships. In this interview, Talyn shares her unique backstory, the essential tools and technologies she relies on to manage her business effectively, and her creative approach to leveraging AI in content creation. She also shares her experience in addressing the learning curve and potential resistance from her team when implementing new tools and technologies.
Interviewee Name: Talyn Rahman-Figueroa
Company: Boss Diplomat
Talyn Rahman-Figueroa’s favourite quote: “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee
The Interview
Thank you so much for joining us today! Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your backstory?
Talyn Rahman-Figueroa : As a trained diplomat from the United Kingdom, my connection with people from all over the world has given me a unique insight into how people connect with one another. As humans, we connect better when we feel a certain kind of energy. That first impression is critical and how we feel about someone can only change over time. When something feels right, we believe it’s the right choice for us at that moment. That is the true power of our brand, and this is exactly the work I used to do with diplomats and politicians back when I ran my first consultancy, Grassroot Diplomat.
Boss Diplomat is an evolution of all the work I did in diplomacy. When I moved to the US in 2019, I felt a pull towards something new. As I saw the potential of small business owners, I knew I could help them level up their brand, image, and storytelling. I’m a strong believer that businesses do well when the owner or founder become their own Brand Ambassador. Because, let’s face it, your business model, service, and products can easily be copied by a competitor, but YOU cannot be copied as easily. YOU are unique and YOU are the reason people want to do business with you.
What are the essential tools and technologies you rely on to manage your business effectively??
Talyn Rahman-Figueroa : For Talyn Rahman-Figueroa, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more than a tool; it’s a creative collaborator. Leveraging AI in content creation, especially in crafting client-centric copy, has proven to be a significant asset for her. Despite the challenges inherent in navigating the quirks of AI, Talyn understands the importance of tailored communication and that it requires considerable trial and error, describing the relationship as “abusive,” where frustration may lead to colorful expressions directed at the AI.
The key, as Talyn stressed, lies in the art of meticulously crafting briefs, ensuring that the AI not only interprets but also generates content aligning seamlessly with her creative vision. Her briefs, sometimes extending to a page in length, serve as the crucial bridge between her creative intent and the AI’s capabilities. Far from a simple copy-and-paste, Talyn emphasizes that preserving the essence of individual work and creativity demands a thoughtful approach when utilizing this incredible technology.
Are there any unconventional or creative approaches you’ve implemented that significantly contributed to the growth and success of your business??
Talyn Rahman-Figueroa : As a solopreneur specializing in brand-building for fellow solopreneurs, I have implemented a truly innovative approach to business growth. Leveraging barter engagements with marketing partners, they have crafted a unique system where both parties exchange services while maintaining equal financial investments. This intentional strategy ensures that each collaboration is treated with the same level of professionalism as any client engagement.
By avoiding the pitfalls of traditional service exchanges, I have successfully nurtured authentic and mutually beneficial relationships. This approach not only minimizes scope creep but also provides partners with a genuine experience of the brand-building journey. This innovative practice reflects not only the solopreneur’s commitment to professionalism but also their dedication to fostering authentic connections within the business community.
How do you address the learning curve and potential resistance from your team when implementing new tools or technologies? ?
Talyn Rahman-Figueroa : In navigating the challenges of introducing new tools and technologies to my team, I have only recently encountered a valuable learning experience that transformed our approach to leveraging AI in business. Hiring a part-time marketing virtual assistant to help me with my own marketing efforts for my business, initially presented challenges, relying too heavily on AI for content creation. Nothing sounded authentic and despite giving them various samples to train the AI, there seemed to be a miscommunication on how to use these tools to our advantage versus to our hindrance.
Recognizing the need for a shift, I made the strategic decision to hire a full-time team member with specialized training, emphasizing the use of AI as an idea-sourcing tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. This change not only improved the quality of our marketing efforts but also provided clarity on how technology can enhance, rather than pushing back, our business goals. The lesson learned was profound — technology should be a tool for forward momentum, guided by human expertise to control input and output. This experience has not only refined our internal processes but also positioned us for sustainable growth.
Leaders Perception would like to thank Talyn Rahman-Figueroa and Boss Diolomat for the time dedicated to completing this interview and sharing their valuable insights with our readers!
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