Lifestyle

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

Published

3 years ago

June 17, 2021

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.

Lifestyle

Coco Glow Redefines Success on Natalie Massaro Terms

Published

2 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Michelle Langton

The American Dream whispers promises of opportunity, but for first-generation children, it can also carry a heavy weight of expectation. Natalie Massaro, the visionary behind Coco Glow, knows this firsthand. “There was an unspoken pressure to succeed,” Natalie explains. “Failure wasn’t an option.” This fueled a relentless work ethic in her – juggling two jobs while in school, a constant drive to excel that burned brightly within her.

This drive initially led the SheEO down a traditional path. But a different passion, simmering beneath the surface, tugged at her – a love for beauty and skincare. Stemming from her own experiences navigating body image as a woman with curves in a world often fixated on a single standard of beauty, Natalie knew there was a different narrative to be told.

It was a leap of faith, fueled by unwavering determination, which led Natalie to trade in the traditional path for entrepreneurship. in 2019, Coco Glow was born out of her Jersey Shore apartment. Today she has a staff of talented contour artists and is currently expanding into a second location. The recent introduction of teeth whitening hints at a future where Coco Glow offers a complete canvas for radiant beauty.

“Always find your why,” is Natalie’s mantra. Inspired by her parents’ unwavering work ethic, a constant reminder that “no one can fail if you are consistently showing up every day,” Natalie poured her heart and soul into Coco Glow. Entrepreneurship, it seems, runs in her blood. Her father’s success was a testament to the power of hard work and dedication, values that now echo in Coco Glow’s leadership. Her commitment to exceptional service is a direct reflection of the “show up every day” mindset.

A testament to the American Dream – reimagined for a new generation. It’s about defying expectations, forging your own path, and leaving your mark. It’s about finding your “why” and turning it into something beautiful, one sun-kissed client at a time. And witnessing the boost of confidence in each client who walks out the door is its own reward.

“Every client is understood, their wants and needs are adjusted to – your spray tan is the easiest part of your day” – perfectly represents her client-centric approach.

Experience Natalie’s artistic touch and the Coco Glow team help you feel radiant from the inside out. Visit their storefront Shrewsbury, New Jersey, or call (732) 362-7890. Stay updated on their latest creations and explore their offerings at https://cocoglowairbrush.com.