---
title: Why the bow tie?
description: Standing out in a crowded job market, John T. Jones explains how wearing a bow tie helped create a personal brand that led to early career success.
---

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[John T. Jones](https://johntjones.com/)

- [Penguin Creative Services](https://johntjones.com/penguin-creative-services)
- [Blog](https://johntjones.com/blog)
- [About John](https://johntjones.com/about-john-t-jones)
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- [Penguin Creative Services](https://johntjones.com/penguin-creative-services)
- [Blog](https://johntjones.com/blog)
- [About John](https://johntjones.com/about-john-t-jones)
- [Contact](https://johntjones.com/blog/why-the-bow-tie#contact)

 Jan 9, 2024 5:37:00 PM

# Why the bow tie?

![Picture of John T. Jones](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/fab11778d3c14545499bbfca42d6b191) [John T. Jones](https://johntjones.com/blog/author/john-t-jones)

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After starting college in 2009 during the recession, I needed a way to stand out from the crowd of job seekers upon graduation. As I learned about branding in my Marketing 101 class, I realized that a person could benefit from a brand just as much as a company. The marketing guy in a bow tie was born.

To further differentiate myself, I worked hard to get an internship during the summer between my first and second years of college. In August 2010, I built on what I learned in the internship and started a freelance business, Penguin Creative Services.

The freelance marketing experience got me in the door of Amway North America in January 2012, and everything else has built on from there.

[Reflection](https://johntjones.com/blog/tag/reflection), [Career](https://johntjones.com/blog/tag/career)

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 Jun 3, 2026 7:37:57 PM

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 Jul 27, 2010 10:30:00 AM

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[Frank Lloyd Wright](https://johntjones.com/blog/tag/frank-lloyd-wright)

## [Frank Lloyd Wright and Steve Jobs: Parallel Genius, Parallel Vision](https://johntjones.com/blog/frank-lloyd-wright-and-steve-jobs-parallel-genius-parallel-vision)

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 Nov 10, 2025 5:36:00 PM

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---

# John T. Jones

616-258-9516  
[john@johntjones.com](mailto:john@johntjones.com)

[linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntjones/)

Copyright © 2023 - 2026, John T. Jones

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