They may not yet have titles like CEO or manager, but the students at That Lookit Brand – Teens Brand-Building & Entrepreneurship Conference 2026 are already learning the most important lesson: your future business begins with the brand you build today.
Retail pioneer and entrepreneur Omar Hadeed set the tone at Wednesday’s Teen Brand-Building and Entrepreneurship Conference, urging students to shape their future boldly. He reminded them that the life they want begins with the habits they practise now.
“Try to curate exactly who you want to be in five, ten years, because I promise you, if you dream it, it will become a reality, and start building yourself from now.”
Award-winning journalist and media personality Hema Ramkisson added that in a world where artificial intelligence can replicate anything, their authentic brand “is who you are when the lights are off.”
She encouraged them to build character, morals and ethics.
“So I just want to remind you, as you build what you see on camera, build what you also see. Well, in my days it would be on camera. Now it’s on the algorithm, on your Instagram, on your TikTok. Whatever you see there, also make sure that that person is very much aligned to the person that sits at the family table, that is having a conversation with someone. So building your brand, always remind yourself what I am, who I am, what would I like to be, and what do I need to improve every single day.”
Organisational development consultant Luke Quamina emphasised that brand-building begins with self-mastery. He urged individuals to reflect on core questions about identity, purpose, potential and vision as they aim to achieve their fullest potential.
“I realise in life, people are carrying a weak core. And that core is, they don’t know who they are, they don’t know their purpose, they don’t know their gift things, and they don’t have a vision. When that core is weak, the life doesn’t have impact. But when that core is strong, you now have a foundation to impact your world.”
Meanwhile, DJ and entertainment manager Marcus Williams reminded them that success is not for the swiftest but for those who can endure.
“Whatever it is you are trying to make successful, you do small increments at a time, and from there you should know, hey, this works, this doesn’t work, this works, this doesn’t work. From the time you zoom out and you look at the whole picture, it’s easy to get discouraged.”
The students were reminded that success is not immediate, but with resilience, discipline and bold vision, they can shape strong personal brands and bright futures.