This morning’s feature is someone very dear to my heart, Nkosi Phanord, an entrepreneur, a creative mind, a brother, a son, a man of profound ideals, and a man of profound integrity. You may see him at events diligently capturing video stills, but there is more to him that meets the eyes. He’s a mystery to most, but in this feature, I affectionately call him “Uncle Kosi”, as his name means King, and in the proverbial African household, elders are to be revered affectionately.
Here’s Uncle Kosi.
Petrona: What is your official title?
Uncle Kosi: Founder & editor in chief of Montrealgotstyle, a 360 media platform/marketing agency that dives into everything culture.
Petrona: What is your greatest passion? Did that fuel you to get started?
Uncle Kosi: I’m passionate about everything that has to do with storytelling, art, and culture. Having a media platform to me was a great way to be able to bring light to stories, people, artists & everything that wouldn’t usually get the proper representation in the outlets I grew up on.
Petrona: What is the message you wish to convey to the world? In other words, how do you want to be remembered?
Uncle Kosi: I want to help people who come from humble beginnings like me or a difficult background to realize that they can do and achieve whatever they set their minds to. I want to be remembered as a man who was generous with his time, helped break barriers and who gave it all back at the end.
Petrona: Describe your business, service, or mission.
Uncle Kosi: Montrealgotstyle is a media company and marketing agency that promotes everything culture from Montreal and the rest of the world. We help local entrepreneurs and artists showcase their products or talents while helping our audience rediscover their own city through multiple facets. We do it in various formats such as editorial, interviews, mini-series, and articles. Our mission is to build the bridge between Montreal and the rest of the world.
Petrona: What is your biggest quirk?
Uncle Kosi: I have an insane auditory memory. I can store any kind of information by listening to it 1 or 3 times. At 6 years old, my mom was worried about me because I would sit in front of the TV reciting the Lion King, line for line, tone for tone at least 30 times a day. It turned out to be a great asset later on in life regardless.
Petrona: What has been your biggest challenge in business?
Uncle Kosi: Getting rid of the imposter syndrome.
Petrona: What’s next for your business or for you?
Uncle Kosi: I’m expanding to different forms of content that will include a long format such as podcasts, docuseries, and much more.
Petrona: What advice would give to someone reading this?
Uncle Kosi: You need to trust your intuition. If this journey was really meant for you it’s because deep inside you know you have all the resources and abilities to make it happen. Don’t let a temporary obstacle cloud your judgment and make a long term bad decision. You have to stay aware of the different signs along the road that will help find your way.
Petrona: What is your favorite quote?
“I went to college with every person I ever met”- Chris Gardner
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