Business

5 Steps That Took Abdul Moneeb Ilyas From Rags To Riches

Published

5 years ago

May 1, 2020

What has made Ilyas an Internet sensation, however, hasn’t been his lavish lifestyle (although that’s certainly played a part). It has been his desire to educate his audiences on the importance of establishing good habits, learning from valuable resources, and most of all, reading.

He calls this intersection “edu-tainment,” giving his audiences just enough lifestyle footage that they feel entertained, without losing the educational aspect of his message.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Ilyas and reflect on his journey. How did this entrepreneur with hundreds of millions of views to his name go from rags to riches?

1. Take Risks At An Early Age

Ilyas had the hunger to be an entrepreneur ever since he was a young kid. His first step into the world of entrepreneurship was at Fifteen years old, when he began selling FIFA Ultimate Team Coins.

“I seen an opportunity as I was great trader, I used buy players cheap and sell them for a higher price, Then my friends used to want to buy coins from. This gave me the idea to sell on eBay.’ he said.

In a sense, this is a metaphor for how Ilyas executes his social media content today. He knows that in order to reach large audiences, he needs to give the people what they want and not give them what he wants.

2. Adopt A Lifestyle-Focused Mindset

Part of becoming successful, he said, is about figuring out the lifestyle you want to live and then working backwards. You have to reverse engineer where it is you want to end up, and what you can do in order to get there.

“I always knew whatever I ended up doing, it needed to involve traveling,” he said. “I enjoy meeting new people, interesting people, smart people. I like reading. I wanted a life with a bit of adventure. So I thought hard about what I could do that would allow me to do all of those things. I asked myself what my business would have to look like in order to accomplish those personally satisfying goals. And the personal brand you see today reflects exactly that.”

If you want to live your ideal lifestyle, you need to ask yourself what you can do that will manifest that lifestyle in the first place. From there get excited about that lifestyle and mentality and that passion will overflow into your work and success.

3. Develop A “Daily Brain Budget”

Ilyas, who frequently advocates for digital courses and mentors over a college education, believes there is no excuse for someone to not be reading and learning every single day. From autobiographies to self-help, celebrity stories and beyond, Lopez has built a following off of sharing stories and lessons from every industry that people can learn from.

His theory is that we should all have a “daily brain budget.” What he means by this is understanding how much input you need in order to continue a positive growth curve for yourself.

“If you aren’t prioritizing and setting aside time for your own development, you’re going to fall stagnant,” he said. “You have to make the time, and invest that time wisely, no differently than if you were to invest any amount of money in yourself.”

4. Test, Optimize, Repeat

He went on to explain that part of entrepreneurship is to always be doing and improving. You have to try things in order to know if they’re going to work or not. And, as his grandpa had told him, “Once is luck, twice is skill. I’ve done it more than once at this point, so now it’s a skill.”

5. Build A Personal Brand Around What You’re Best At

Ilyas has a personal brand recognized by millions around the world. But ask him how he’s built that for himself, and he won’t say self-promotion.

“People think it’s a show, but these are just the things I like to do. I built a personal brand around who I already am, instead of who I wanted people to see me as, and I think that’s where a lot of people go wrong. It has to be authentic, otherwise no one is going to get on board,” he said.

He went on to explain that while people can’t necessarily succeed by following his same formula, because each person succeeds in different ways, they can learn from the principles he shares and apply them accordingly.

After all, he said, “If I can do it, you can do it.”

Business

Spynn’s PR Playbook for Startups Turning Funding into Market Leadership

Published

2 weeks ago

March 27, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Byline: Jennyfer Ann Valencia

The recent funding boom in India, where startups raised over $428 million between March 10 and March 15, 2025, reinforces the critical role of public relations (PR) in securing investor confidence and enhancing visibility. As competition intensifies, effective PR strategies help startups differentiate themselves and build a strong market presence.

Spynn, a PR agency for startups specializing in securing top-tier media coverage, enables startups to craft compelling narratives that attract investors and maintain a positive brand image.

The Role of PR in Startup Funding

A recent survey conducted by Spynn found that startups with a strong PR strategy are significantly more likely to secure funding rounds than those without. According to the research, nearly 70% of investors say media visibility and brand credibility helped their decision-making process. This highlights PR’s direct impact on a startup’s ability to attract investment.

PR helps startups articulate their value to investors by securing media coverage and highlighting their growth potential. High-profile placements lend credibility and set up startups’ potential, making them more attractive to investors. For instance, a well-publicized success story from a startup like Zolve, one of the top funding recipients, can drive further investor interest and strengthen its brand.

India’s funding surge spans sectors including Batterytech, Edtech, Gaming, Apparel, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Fintech, Energy, and Travel. While this presents opportunities, it also brings scrutiny. Startups must manage their reputations effectively, ensuring consistency in their messaging across media platforms. As a PR agency for startups, Spynn’s expertise in reputation management helps businesses navigate these challenges by maintaining a cohesive brand identity and reinforcing investor trust.

Establishing Credibility Through Media Placements

Research from Spynn also revealed that startups that get featured on Forbes, Business Insider, and other top-tier publications experience a 50% increase in inbound investor inquiries within six months. This shows the value of securing strategic media placements to reinforce credibility and market positioning.

Strong media coverage bolsters a startup’s credibility, reinforcing its market positioning and investor confidence. Spynn ensures startups secure coverage in authoritative outlets, helping them establish themselves as thought leaders. Beyond initial publicity, Spynn focuses on building long-term relationships with media, ensuring sustained visibility and brand consistency.

Spynn’s CEO, Matteo Ferretti, emphasizes the role of storytelling, “Effective PR is about coverage and creating narratives that resonate with audiences. Startups must highlight their unique value and demonstrate how they solve real-world problems.”

PR for Growth and Global Expansion

Spynn’s data indicates that startups leveraging international PR strategies are twice as likely to successfully attract foreign investors and expand into new markets. Media coverage tailored for global audiences enhances cross-border recognition and facilitates partnerships, making PR an essential tool for growth beyond domestic markets.

As Indian startups scale, a strong PR strategy facilitates global recognition. Spynn’s international media reach helps startups gain traction in new markets and attract foreign investors. This is especially crucial for sectors like Fintech and Edtech, where global expansion is key to success.

A well-executed PR strategy strengthens a startup’s digital footprint, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence across platforms. Matteo Ferretti highlights the importance of balance, “A successful PR approach integrates both digital and traditional media to maximize impact and audience engagement.“

Ethical Considerations and Future Trends

Transparency and ethical storytelling are vital in PR. Startups must ensure authenticity in their messaging to build lasting trust. Spynn upholds ethical PR practices that align with principles of sustainability and integrity.

Indian startups must adapt to evolving PR trends, including AI-driven outreach, digital media dominance, and deeper media relationships. As competition grows, startups that take advantage of PR will have a better standing for long-term success.

Spynn’s PR strategies equip Indian startups with the tools to navigate funding surges, enhance credibility, and drive growth. By securing impactful media coverage and managing reputation effectively, startups can strengthen investor confidence and expand their market presence. As India’s startup ecosystem evolves, PR remains an indispensable asset for sustained success.