Accepting and understanding yourself is the key to success and overcoming the challenges.
Accepting and understanding yourself is the key to success and overcoming the challenges.
A Certified Master Networker, Gurnoor Kaur Behl is the Founder and CEO of the House of GKB, a social media branding and marketing company.
Behl explains that House of GKB is a company dedicated to building strong personal brands and creating industry influencers through social media. For the past five years, she has been working closely with coaches, speakers, celebrities, influencers and businesses to shape their personal brands.
Being a Certified Master Networker, Event Host, and Speaker, Gurnoor Kaur Behl frequently speaks on topics like Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Women Empowerment, Diversity and Inclusion, and Personal Branding. Her ability to connect with people and share practical insights has made her a well recognised individual in the industry.
One of the most remarkable opportunities in her career came during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic when she was appointed as a Social Media Consultant for the National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMA), which was also a big achievement for her. She played a key part in raising awareness and providing essential information about COVID-19 and about the lockdown measures. The opportunity to work with the government at such a critical time was a major milestone, which reflected her expertise in the field.
Master Networker Gurnoor Kaur Behl initiated her professional career with a UN-affiliated NGO, Indian Dreams Foundation, where she worked on a social media campaign to get sponsors for girls education. This experience was a turning point in her life that made her realize her passion and ability for Social Media Management. Inspired by this incident, she pursued a Postgraduate Degree in Digital Media and Journalism.
However, instead of going to college and being confined to a classroom, Behl prioritized real-world work experience. She spent her time on gaining hands-on knowledge, working, and understanding the technicality and dynamics of social media. After five to six years in the industry, she has mastered the skills and knowledge of digital media through continuous practical learning.
Recalling her childhood struggles, Behl shares that when she was just 12 years old, she was diagnosed with epilepsy, a condition she continues to manage even after 18 years with ongoing medication. In addition to this, she faced other health setbacks, including typhoid and a severe foot injury.
She also recalls the various challenges which she had to face in her academic life, one of which was bullying. She states that during her time in school, she used to get heavily bullied. She further elaborates that coming back to India after living abroad also brought its own set of difficulties, as she had to adapt to a new environment and culture all over again.
Event Host and Speaker, Gurnoor Kaur Behl took these struggles as an opportunity to grow stronger, confident, and deeply self-aware. She learned to navigate life’s ups and downs with courage, using every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
Academically, Gurnoor describes herself as an average student who liked to be involved or participate in extracurricular activities. She used to find joy in creativity, something that stayed with her as she grew older. She also mentions that she started her journey in front of the camera as a baby model.
Founder of ‘House of GKB’ Gurnoor Kaur Behl shares that she started her college education at Miranda House, Delhi University, where she made history as the institution’s first female breakdancer. However, she later decided to leave the college and take a different path. Gurnoor Kaur Behl always focused on self-discovery and learning. However, later, determined to continue her education, she again enrolled at Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University, to pursue a BA degree as she was curious to explore different subjects. Alongside academics, she also got interested in social media. She started actively managing her own social media accounts, which created the foundation for her future career.
Reflecting on her challenges in life, Gurnoor Kaur highlights that in the year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected challenges with it. But, for Gurnoor Kaur Behl, it became the time of growth, both personally and professionally. She was able to spend more time with her family and try making new cocktails, new beverages, and new drinks.
However, the pandemic also had some negative impact. Social Media Handler Gurnoor Kaur lost nearly 60% of her clients. It was a setback that could have demotivated anyone. However, Gurnoor Kaur Behl chose to focus on her gains- which were strengthening her personal brand, expanding her business, and creating a strong presence in the social media industry. Her resolution paid off, which helped in getting a strong recognition as the Founder of GKB and strengthening her position as a leading figure in the social media space.
Talking about her hobbies, Gurnoor mentions that she loves writing poetry. Her affection for writing adds an artistic touch to everything she does, making her approach to branding unique and heartfelt. Through her path to becoming a successful entrepreneur, she continues to inspire others to be authentic, confident, and create an impact in both their personal and professional lives. Gurnoor finds joy in her hobbies and personal interests. She enjoys creating beverages, a passion that started during the lockdown, and spends quality time with family and friends by exploring new restaurants or simply hanging out. These moments help her recharge and stay motivated in her professional pursuit.
GKB Founder Gurnoor Kaur Behl further describes herself as a woman of many colours such as vibrant and dynamic, and always bent on exploring new passions. She thrives on seeking new experiences to keep herself engaged. Travelling to different countries has shaped her into the person she is today. She lived and studied in Africa for a year, and moved to the United States after that, where she completed her elementary and middle school education.
The pandemic also created a lot of opportunities for her professional growth. The lockdown compelled businesses and individuals to shift their focus towards online platforms, and the demand for social media marketing increased. This shift was in favour of the House of GKB, as she had already created a strong presence in the industry. She created her name in the industry while working on various projects that were to enhance others’ professional and personal brands on social media, which increased her recognition in the sector.
Talking about her role models, Gurnoor Kaur Behl says she considers her father as a role model as he has had a major influence in Gurnoor’s life. Her father's career was marked by dedication and global impact as he worked with the UN across various countries, including Africa and the UN headquarters as a representative of India. Despite his demanding profession, he maintained a balance between work and personal life, a lesson that deeply influenced Gurnoor.
Although she did not get to see her father often due to his job profile, his discipline, and ability to manage responsibilities created a strong impression on Gurnoor. His book, Sannu Ki, further reflects his wisdom and perspective. Inspired by his life path, Gurnoor strives to follow the same balance.
As the CEO of GKB working in the social media industry, Behl understands the pressures that come with leading a brand in social media. Addressing the new aspirants willing to enter the social media industry and brand management, she emphasizes that managing social media is not only about posting on social media accounts but also managing accounts, planning digital strategies, and staying ahead and aware of trends. She also states that it is a 24/7 job.
Gurnoor describes how this work started taking a toll on her mental health. The constant stress led to anxiety, making her realize the importance of work-life balance. She provides the ideal approaches that can be adopted by everyone just as she adopted them like setting firm boundaries that she would not take any official work or phone calls on Sundays or on holidays allowing herself to give time to herself and her family. Inspired by her father she understands the importance of creating a balance in life.
Social Media Expert Gurnoor Kaur Behl strongly emphasizes the importance of developing skills and technical expertise to grow in the social media industry. She highlights that social media is not just about posting content, it is a profession that requires strategic planning, analytical skills, and an understanding of ever-evolving trends.
Gurnoor Behl believes that social media marketing is not for freshers. Instead, it requires hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of its complexities. To build a career in this field, she advises aspiring professionals to start their career with internships and voluntary work. According to her, social media is not just a marketing tool but a crucial business development activity for organizations in the present online marketing scenario.
As the CEO of House of GKB, she also emphasizes on the value of higher education in shaping a successful career in the field of social media branding and marketing. She recommends pursuing a postgraduate degree, in Journalism and Digital Marketing or doing an MBA as these fields help in developing communication skills, leadership qualities, and industry-relevant expertise.
Through her career, Gurnoor Kaur Behl continues to inspire individuals to view social media as a powerful business tool rather than just an online presence. Her insights serve as a guide for those looking to make a mark in the ever-evolving world of digital media.