Close Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Articles
  • News
  • Events
  • Tech
  • Start Up
  • Spotlight
  • Marketing
  • Strategy
  • Management
  • Profitability
  • Interviews
  • Leadership
  • Entrepreneurship

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest business news, articles, tips and interviews to develop your business IQ!

What's Hot

Nigeria Hits 100% Pipeline Security—But Can Oil Production Keep Up?

July 3, 2025

Why Makeup Artists—Not Influencers—Are Africa’s New Beauty Stars

July 3, 2025

From Class to Crops: Kano’s Youth Lead Agri-Tech Transformation

July 3, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
  • Home
  • About
  • Articles

    Nigeria Hits 100% Pipeline Security—But Can Oil Production Keep Up?

    July 3, 2025

    Why Makeup Artists—Not Influencers—Are Africa’s New Beauty Stars

    July 3, 2025

    From Class to Crops: Kano’s Youth Lead Agri-Tech Transformation

    July 3, 2025

    AHSED’s Bold Plan: Train Youth to Protect Nigeria’s Oil Pipelines

    July 3, 2025

    How to Stay Relevant in Nigeria’s Fast-Changing Economy

    July 3, 2025
  • Contact
    • Login
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn
naijapreneur™
MINE fest 2025
  • News

    Nigeria Hits 100% Pipeline Security—But Can Oil Production Keep Up?

    July 3, 2025

    Why Makeup Artists—Not Influencers—Are Africa’s New Beauty Stars

    July 3, 2025

    From Class to Crops: Kano’s Youth Lead Agri-Tech Transformation

    July 3, 2025

    AHSED’s Bold Plan: Train Youth to Protect Nigeria’s Oil Pipelines

    July 3, 2025

    How to Stay Relevant in Nigeria’s Fast-Changing Economy

    July 3, 2025
  • Events

    July 2025 Nigeria Business Events Roundup

    July 1, 2025

    June 2025 Nigeria Business Events Roundup

    June 1, 2025

    MINE Fest 2025 to Host Stakeholders Engagement & Press Conference Ahead of Landmark Event

    May 19, 2025

    Founder Institute Lagos Presents: Angels & Demons – Surefire Tips for Raising Your First Angel Round

    May 3, 2025

    May 2025 Nigeria Business Events Roundup

    May 1, 2025
  • Entrepreneurship
    1. Spotlight
    2. View All

    Serial Entrepreneur Attah’ebwa Anzaku on Overcoming Struggles and Building Timeless Brands.

    March 15, 2025

    Ebun Feludu: From Kitchen to Coconut Industry Tycoon

    November 5, 2024

    20 Nigerian Brands with Global Ambition

    September 16, 2024

    #40Under40NaijaCEOs: Meet The 40 Under 40 Nigerian CEOs in 2024

    September 2, 2024

    How to Break Free From Business Failures

    July 3, 2025

    From Lagos to a $1 Billion Solution: How a Nigerian Immigrant Exposed America’s Biggest Financial Blind Spot

    June 27, 2025

    How the Winklevoss Twins Turned a $65 Million Loss Into a $3 Trillion Revenge Play

    June 14, 2025

    How Charlie Munger Overcame Tragedy and Built a $2 Trillion Empire

    June 14, 2025
  • Marketing
    1. e-Marketing
    2. View All

    A Christmas GIFT For Entrepreneurs!

    December 17, 2013

    Free Website CONTENT Review: Does your website SPEAK the language of your TARGET customers?

    September 30, 2013

    e-Commerce FAQs: 8 Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Online

    July 15, 2013

    CASE STUDY: How I Made Close To 1Million In Sales Within 3 Months Of Selling Online!

    May 13, 2013

    ROI in a Ribbon: Culture, Connection, and Corporate Gifting Rooted in Respect

    July 3, 2025

    Using Customer Data and Insight to Fuel Business Success

    May 22, 2025

    The Conversational AI Marketing Showdown: The Future of Marketing or Just Smart Hype? Balancing Innovation with Tradition.

    March 11, 2025

    From Jollof Rice to Joyful Sales: How to Captivate Nigerian Customers This Christmas

    November 20, 2024
  • Start Up
    1. Tech
    2. View All

    Elon Musk Declares War on Every AI Company: How xAI’s Acquisition of X Could Change the Future of AI

    March 31, 2025

    Nwoke: How Technology Can Restore Market Pricing Integrity for Small Businesses.

    March 14, 2025

    Ai Adoption In Nigeria: Legal Considerations For Nigerian Businesses

    February 6, 2025

    Harnessing Digitisation To Enhance Trade In Africa- A Review Of The African Continental Free Trade Area Protocol On Digital Trade

    February 6, 2025

    Securing The Bag: Founders’ Tips to Securing Grants and Investments (Part 2)

    May 27, 2025

    Don’t Hate the Game. Learn the Map.

    May 20, 2025

    Securing the Bag: Founders’ Tips for Getting Grants and Investments (Part 1)

    February 21, 2025

    Setting Up a Cryptocurrency Company in Nigeria

    February 6, 2025
  • Management
    1. Finance
    2. Legal
    3. Profitability
    4. View All

    What are the biggest financial red flags you look for in a startup?

    June 27, 2025

    Tinubu Signs Landmark Tax Reform Bills into Law: What It Means for Nigerians and Businesses

    June 27, 2025

    Banking And Finance In Nigeria: The Regulatory Framework At A Glance

    April 29, 2025

    Compliance in Nigeria: Data Protection Directives for Businesses

    April 10, 2025

    Intellectual Property Protection in Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector

    April 9, 2025

    5 Strategies for Reinvesting Profits to Grow Your Business

    March 20, 2015

    The MOST IMPORTANT Word In Business

    March 31, 2014

    5 Ways To Reduce Inventory Costs And Boost Profitability

    February 21, 2014

    How To Save Your Business From Self-Inflicted Financial CRISIS!

    June 17, 2013

    Your 9–5 Job Will Be Extinct by 2030 — Here’s How to Survive

    June 17, 2025

    Compliance in Nigeria: Data Protection Directives for Businesses

    April 10, 2025

    The Science Behind Recruitment

    September 24, 2024

    Effective Decision Making Checklist for Every Entrepreneur

    July 1, 2014
  • Strategy

    How to Stay Competitive in the Digital Era

    March 25, 2025

    Nigeria Cement Market Review 2019-2024 and Forecasts 2025-2029.

    March 14, 2025

    Eight prudent ways to invest your 13th-month pay

    January 6, 2025

    Catching Them Young: A CSR Guide for Brands Building Lifelong Connections with Youth

    October 28, 2024

    The SHOW UP Strategy: How to Attract Paying Clients in Tough Economic Times

    October 15, 2024
  • Leadership

    How Patrick Doyle Transformed Domino’s Pizza: From a $3 Stock to $500

    June 20, 2025

    LEADERSHIP CHECKLIST: 4 Critical Things Every Leader Needs To Do For Their Team

    November 25, 2013

    Business Mastery: The Unusual Qualities Of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs

    October 31, 2011

    The Golden Rule Of Business

    July 18, 2011

    EAGLE EYE LEADERSHIP: the Principle of Focus and Priority

    November 15, 2010
  • Interviews

    Nwoke: How Technology Can Restore Market Pricing Integrity for Small Businesses.

    March 14, 2025

    Unusual Entrepreneur Interview with Connor Gillivan of eCommetize.com

    June 13, 2016

    Unusual Entrepreneur Interview with Michael Fratkin of ResolutionCare.com

    August 3, 2015

    Unusual Entrepreneur Interview with Walter Emiedafe of SapientVendors.com.ng

    June 1, 2015

    Unusual Entrepreneur Interview Questions With Dave Schneider of NinjaOutreach.com

    May 18, 2015
naijapreneur™
Home»Articles»Unusual Entrepreneur Interview With AJ Leon Of PursuitOfEverything.com
Articles

Unusual Entrepreneur Interview With AJ Leon Of PursuitOfEverything.com

Tito Philips, Jnr.By Tito Philips, Jnr.November 5, 2012810 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Copy Link LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
Follow Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link WhatsApp

Welcome to another edition of the Unusual Entrepreneur Interviews and today we have here with us unusual entrepreneur Aj Leon. He is the Chief Trouble Maker of Misfit Inc., a company that is dedicated to traveling the world causing positive trouble wherever necessary.

AJ nomads around the world and makes things happen. He is currently traveling around the world in 1,080 days primarily by land and sea. He is a writer, designer, entrepreneur and humanitarian that has initiated social projects in South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, The Philippines and England. He is the author of The Life and Times of a Remarkable Misfit and publishes weekly articles at Pursuit of Everything about living with intention, doing work that matters and changing the world.

I’m so excited to have him on the unusual entrepreneur interview series because Aj is one of the few unusual entrepreneurs who walks the talk about changing the world and profiting from purpose. As a couple, he and his high school sweetheart, Melissa gave up a very comfortable life [ AJ left banking and Melissa left teaching] in pursuit of everything. And today, they are one of the most fulfilled couples I know. Seriously, this is one interview you don’t want to miss. Aj is simply an inspiration!

Demo

If you are just joining us for the first time, this is the unusual entrepreneur interview series. It is a parade of unusual entrepreneurs who are changing the world and profiting from purpose. Profiting from purpose by changing the world isn’t an impossible dream as many tend to think of it, but a realistic one as many unusual entrepreneurs have extraordinarily proven. Click here to read more unusual entrepreneur interviews.

Take it away Aj!

  Interview Questions Part One

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Awakening the Spirit of business

 

1.       Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your business? What do you do?, how do you do it?, why do you do it and who do you do it for?

Primarily, I would say I am a writer. I publish articles, essays and books over at Pursuit of Everything about living with intention, doing work that matters and changing the world. I am also the founder and Creative Director of Misfit, a creative agency that specializes in brand repositioning on the client side. We also have a great deal of federated internal projects that we launch into the world, like the Misfit Quarterly, a creative arts journal.

 

2. How would you describe your entrepreneurial journey into the world of business? Were there any key incidents or life changing events that inspired your decision to become an entrepreneur?

Almost five years ago now, on December 31, 2007, I found myself in my large corner office in Manhattan with tears streaming down my face, wondering where it all went wrong. I was a successful finance executive in New York, but I despised my work and hated the fact that I had traded my life in for a larger paycheck at every turn since leaving university.

It was four days before I was going to be married, I was up for a big promotion and I realized that if I didn’t leave at that precise moment, I was going to be that dude for the rest of my life. A person trapped in a “successfully” average existence mourning the glory of a life that could have been. That was the turning point. I walked out. Left my career. And decided to stop living the life that I was supposed to live, and start living the life I was destined to live.

 

3. When you started out in business, what specific idea, purpose or vision was your key driving force?

For me, business or entrepreneurship, particularly for small businesses, is only a microcosm of the larger question: What do you actually want from life? I started out not with a great vision of what I wanted to accomplish, but with a clear understanding of the life I didn’t want. From there, I started to work on small web-based projects that interested me, and slowly I began to excavate what my path would be. Today, Misfit in general is a federated amalgamation of the things I love to do.

 

4. What is your take on the general notion that entrepreneurs should build a business around what they naturally love to do?

Well, I believe at the very best you need to love what you do, and at the very best do what you love. If you are not in either of those camps, then I’d suggest seriously reevaluating just exactly why you are doing whatever it is you are doing.

 

5. What is your personal life mission as an entrepreneur? That is; what contributions do you want to make with your life or what would you like to be remembered for as an entrepreneur through the businesses you create when you die?

To answer your question, I want to make a dent in the universe. I want to know for certain at the end of my life, that this world was different because I was in it and that I didn’t squander my opportunity to live a life of purpose.

 

6. What would you describe as the purpose of entrepreneurship? That is; what role do entrepreneurs play in the world?

I think entrepreneurship is just a canvas. It is simply a medium by which to express your creativity, domain knowledge and art. It is more art than science, certainly. Entrepreneurs are the great explorers of our age. They are the Drake’s, the Magellan’s, the individuals with the courage to press into the thick darkness of uncertainty and into the horizon and show us a better or newer way.

Interview Questions Part Two

STRATEGY: The unusual execution of business best practices

 

 

7. How do you identify business opportunities and what metrics do you use to measure their viability?

 I usually start with the question, “would I give a shit about this if I saw somebody share it on twitter?” If the idea passes that threshold, then I would start to analyze whether this is an “unmet” or “met” need in the market. In other words, am I swimming into a sea of potential competitors from the onset or is this something, more or less, brand new. The most interesting ideas or projects to launch, of course, are when you create something that is both an “unknown” and an “unmet” need. In those circumstances, it’s not about “their product or mine”, it’s around educating potential customers about a solution to a problem they might not have even recognized they have.

 

8. Do you have mentors, business coach or external consultants that you work closely with to grow yourself and your business? If yes, to what extent would you describe their impact on your business? If no, are there any particular reasons?

I get asked this question a great deal. I do not have mentors. I never have. Not sure why, it just didn’t work out for me, I guess. But I do have my team at Misfit and a very special group of friends I call my Jedi’s who I come to from time to time to bounce ideas.

 

9. How do you strategically use your time as an entrepreneur? What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs use their time for?

Most of what I do that helps me as an entrepreneur has nothing to do with business. As a business person, you are only as good as the ideas and solutions you can come up with. As a human, you are quite literally a portfolio of your experiences. Those experiences color and inform every other aspect of your life. I travel, I eat new foods, I attend art shows, I go on photo walks, I write poetry, I read novels and classics and memoirs (basically everything but business books) – I see the world and I ingest every last drop of light I can from it.

These activities naturally permeate into my work. It makes the work I produce more colorful and multi-faceted.

One activity I recommend for every business person, is this: I write one email a day to a member of my community or a customer or a client, thanking them for supporting my work. Because without their attention, I simply could not produce the work that I do.

 

10. How do you generate profitable customers for your business? What unusual approaches do you adopt for marketing your products/services?

I don’t really spend too much time marketing. I write voraciously about the ideology behind the projects I choose to work on and I realize this very important fact: whenever you launch something of any kind – that something is both your product and your best effort at marketing your next product. If it’s fabulous, people will await your next one, if it’s average, you’ll have to churn out a new campaign or gimmick for every launch.

 

 

11. Many entrepreneurs complain about not succeeding in business due to lack of adequate funding, what is your take on this matter and how do you cope with funding issues in your business?

I’ve never taken funding. My focus early on was to build a team of specialists. I taught myself graphic design, my partner taught himself how to code in PHP and Rails, my wife (and also business partner) taught herself about the world of content marketing and video editing. Those three components alone have made it much more affordable and viable to launch any new idea I may come up with.

 

 

12. When starting out a new business, who are the likely possible partners or professional service providers you would recommend every entrepreneur work with?

People that you trust and people that you love to work with. If you are planning on doing anything web-based, make friends with an amazing designer, they make all the difference in the world.

 

 

13. The pricing of products/services is always an issue for entrepreneurs, what unusual approach do you take when it comes to pricing?

It’s difficult to answer that question because I am involved in quite a few diametrically different projects. It’s a mixture of definitive market research and what you believe it to be worth for your time and energy and effort to produce it.
 

 

Interview Questions Part Three

MISCELLANEOUS – Resourceful Recommendations, tools, books, and ideas for unusual entrepreneurs

 

14. Since you became an entrepreneur – someone who solves problems for people profitably; what has been your most outstanding accomplishments in the context of business?

I run the coolest company on the planet, and I travel around the world as I do it.

 

15. What would you describe as your major setbacks and what lessons did you pick from them?

Again, a difficult question. One thing I did learn early was to diversify revenue streams. Don’t generate all your revenue from one or two customers without having other revenue generating projects. That is a recipe for disaster.

 

16. Were there any particular questions you expected me to ask that is beneficial to entrepreneurs and I didn’t? Kindly share with us such questions and their relevant answers here. 

Nope, I think you covered it!

Your Turn

What more would you like to know about the unusual Aj Leon? You can ask him further questions below in the comment section and I will be sure that you will get an answer directly from him.

Also, what did you learn from this unusual entrepreneur? What lessons, what philosophy of his strike you the most?

Aj has shared his unusual story with you, now is time to hear from you. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Copy Link WhatsApp
Tito Philips, Jnr.
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Hi! My name is Tito Philips Jnr, an unusual Nigerian that is MAD – Making A Difference. I'm the Chief Community Leader here and this is where we raise the bar of entrepreneurship. We are a TRIBE of Unusual Entrepreneurs, we are not your every day entrepreneurs who go into business to put food on the table and pay bills. For us, business is more than making ends meet [survival]. It is our means of doing what we love [passion], changing the world [purpose] and being financially rewarded for it [profit]™. Want to become ONE of us?

Related Posts

Nwoke: How Technology Can Restore Market Pricing Integrity for Small Businesses.

March 14, 2025

The Fascinating Story of Kimbal Musk: Elon’s Forgotten Brother Who’s Saving the Environment

March 6, 2025

Eight prudent ways to invest your 13th-month pay

January 6, 2025
View 8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Mark on November 6, 2012 12:39 am

    I love the words and vision in you Aj – keeping putting dents in the universe!

    Excellent guest here, Tito – someone many entrepreneurs need to hear.

    The only folks changing the world are those with the vision and belief they can and will.

    Cheers, sir!

    Reply
    • Tito Philips, Jnr. on November 6, 2012 7:07 pm

      Thanks Mark for stopping by and sharing your thoughts about AJ.

      Reply
    • AJ Leon on November 9, 2012 3:55 pm

      Thank you for the kind words, Mark. 🙂

      Reply
      • Mark on November 9, 2012 5:45 pm

        Just received some AJ goodness in my email box… Twice in one day – I’m all jacked up! Haha!

        Your bus is too cool… That bus is going to take you quite an adventure…

        Safe travels, bro : )

        Reply
  2. Damilare Bakare on November 8, 2012 1:07 am

    tito you are really doing a great job!!! am so happy we(Nigeria) have someone like you… keep it out.. You guest said alot of things that has or will kept me on focus for a long time

    Reply
    • Tito Philips, Jnr. on November 9, 2012 5:53 pm

      Thanks Damilare for the encouragement. I’m glad you found the unusual entrepreneur interview with AJ quite useful. Looking forward to seeing more of you around!

      Reply
  3. Kabenah on November 10, 2012 7:30 am

    This is truly a motivational interview with great insights. You’re certainly doing a great job here.

    Reply
    • Tito Philips, Jnr. on November 11, 2012 9:01 pm

      Thanks Kabenah.

      Reply
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

MINE Fest 2025
Demo
Business Events in Nigeria
Nigeria Business Events Roundup
GITEX Nigeria 2025
Demo
Latest Posts

Nigeria Hits 100% Pipeline Security—But Can Oil Production Keep Up?

July 3, 2025

Why Makeup Artists—Not Influencers—Are Africa’s New Beauty Stars

July 3, 2025

From Class to Crops: Kano’s Youth Lead Agri-Tech Transformation

July 3, 2025

AHSED’s Bold Plan: Train Youth to Protect Nigeria’s Oil Pipelines

July 3, 2025

How to Stay Relevant in Nigeria’s Fast-Changing Economy

July 3, 2025
1 2 3 … 430 Next
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest business news, articles, tips and interviews to develop your business IQ!

Most Trending

FG Launches N50,000 Conditional Grant for Small Businesses Through SMEDAN

June 26, 2025

Race Against Poverty: YEIDEP Enters Final Disbursement Phase

July 1, 2025

EBID Approves €230m and $10m to Boost Infrastructure and Private Sector Growth in West Africa

April 11, 2025
1 2 3 … 716 Next
Latest Posts

Nigeria Hits 100% Pipeline Security—But Can Oil Production Keep Up?

July 3, 2025

Why Makeup Artists—Not Influencers—Are Africa’s New Beauty Stars

July 3, 2025

From Class to Crops: Kano’s Youth Lead Agri-Tech Transformation

July 3, 2025
1 2 3 … 716 Next

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Interviews
  • Marketing
  • Start Up
  • Strategy
  • Management
  • Profitability
  • Leadership
© 2025 naijapreneur™. Powered by Differentiate.Online.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.