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The Impressive Evolution of CJ Iwu From A Self-Conscious Kid To Vibrant, Charismatic Creator

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CJ Iwu has dealt with plenty of adversity in his young life. He grew up feeling uncomfortable in his own skin, has dealt with low self-esteem, and has been faced with an overall feeling of insecurity from a young age. He also found that he didn’t apply himself much in high school, and was unable to do schoolwork outside of the classroom.

Even though he dealt with a lot of shortcomings as a high school student from Minnesota, CJ’s maturity and evolution of his personality since graduating have been nothing short of immaculate. He chose to enroll in the American University of Nigeria in West Africa, and he was forced to mature and become independent very rapidly.

CJ says, “When I arrived at AUN, the study habits I developed over the years miraculously unearthed themselves and helped me become a straight-A student for the first time in my life. What caused my study habits to surface was my determination to turn the page on my academic life.”

As he matured in the classroom, he began working tirelessly on another project. AUNwithCJ, a vlog he started documenting his journey traveling across the world to Nigeria to attend college, quickly evolved into a weekly TV-like show on YouTube where CJ talks about attending AUN from an American perspective. He’s incredibly passionate about the show, and works hard to make the production as high-quality as possible, and includes trailers, weekly episodes, cinematics, closed captions, and more.

It’s no surprise that CJ has been so open in sharing his experiences on the AUN campus with the whole internet, as he’s blossomed into a social person compared to his high school days. Regarding campus life, CJ says, “I’m usually pretty friendly to everyone around me. If I see someone walking past me on campus, it’s virtually second nature to extend a warm greeting and a smile.”

His love for meeting his classmates helped inspire a miniseries within his vlog called “We Asked AUN Students”, a series solely dedicated to showcasing the thoughts and experiences of AUN students on specific topics. It allows his classmates the chance to voice their opinions and experiences on campus, and it’s something CJ has grown to become very proud of.

Now that CJ’s settled into his life in Nigeria, he’s looking forward to creating more episodes of his vlog, connecting with new people, and excelling in his academic life. Based on his transformation from a shy, self-conscious high school student, it’s clear that CJ is only just getting started as a creator.

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Lifestyle

Why Derik Fay Is Becoming a Case Study in Long-Haul Entrepreneurship

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Entrepreneurship today is often framed in extremes — overnight exits or public flameouts. But a small cohort of operators is being studied for something far less viral: consistency. Among them, Derik Fay has quietly surfaced as a long-term figure whose name appears frequently across sectors, interviews, and editorial mentions — yet whose personal visibility remains relatively limited.

Fay’s career spans more than 20 years and includes work in private investment, business operations, and emerging entertainment ventures. Though many of his companies are not household names, the volume and duration of his activity have made him a subject of interest among business media outlets and founders who study entrepreneurial longevity over fame.

He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1978, and while much of his early career remains undocumented publicly, recent profiles including recurring features in Forbes — have chronicled his current portfolio and leadership methods. These accounts often emphasize his pattern of working behind the scenes, embedding within businesses rather than leading from a distance. His style is often described by peers as “operational first, media last.”

Fay has also become recognizable for his consistency in leadership approach: focus on internal systems, low public profile, and long-term strategy over short-term visibility. At 46 years old, his posture in business remains one of longevity rather than disruption  a contrast to many of the more heavily publicized entrepreneurs of the post-2010 era.

While Fay has never publicly confirmed his net worth, independent analysis based on documented real estate holdings, corporate exits, and investment activity suggests a conservative floor of $100 million, with several credible indicators placing the figure at well over $250 million. The exact number may remain private  but the scale is increasingly difficult to overlook.

He is also involved in creative sectors, including film and media, and maintains a presence on social platforms, though not at the scale or tone of many personal-brand-driven CEOs. He lives with his long-term partner, Shandra Phillips, and is the father of two daughters — both occasionally referenced in interviews, though rarely centered.

While not an outspoken figure, Fay’s work continues to gain media attention. The reason may lie in the contrast he presents: in a climate of rapid rises and equally rapid burnout, his profile reflects something less dramatic but increasingly valuable — steadiness.

There are no viral speeches. No Twitter threads drawing blueprints. Just a track record that’s building its own momentum over time.

Whether that style becomes the norm for the next wave of founders is unknown. But it does offer something more enduring than buzz: a model of entrepreneurship where attention isn’t the currency — results are.

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