Meet Uchechukwu Ajuzieogu | Software Engineer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Uchechukwu Ajuzieogu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Uchechukwu, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Lol, to be honest when it comes to building a business, running it, executing, and managing teams I will say there is no work-life balance, especially in the early and mid stages of the process. I hear and read about folks who clamor about the work-life balance in all aspects of entrepreneurship, business, academics, and more. The harsh reality is there is no work-life balance, you’re never going to be balanced. For startups, building an MVP is crucial, getting the right team is core, designing and crafting your pitch is important, and getting investors is a nightmare, then if you do not find one you’ll go through the torn valley of bootstrapping, and in all of this process, you learn a lot, advance your maturity and expectations on how life really does work. The accurate picture for me has been what I have described, and it wasn’t until very recently that I began to experience work-life balance. In all ways, I take care of myself, mentally and otherwise, still, there’s that moment when there are lapses and I keep wondering how certain things will run especially as I’m not as fully active as I used to be before, but then having a great team you can rely on is key, as it takes your mind over other important things. I really think balance is necessary, especially since I’m in a highway kind of profession, and to be fair, not having that work-life balance has messed up with things like my relationships, mental health, and otherwise, to be very honest. Balance in all aspects is necessary but when you’re trying to make a buck at the earliest stages, where you have to learn, unlearn, and relearn, it might not be ideal. Still, it’s important to embrace change, so along the line, when most of your metrics have been met, I advise it’s important to take a bow and balance your work life out. That’s the honest reality because you go on social media and you see folks posting about how you can get all the great things in life without much effort, just sit on your couch eating potato chips, and buy a course then you’ll find the path the success, I believe that kind of fantasy put folks in a disarray, such that they think they can get work-life balance without really putting in the work. In the end, work-life balance is essential, and I advocate for it, realistically and holistically. And let’s not forget about coming from a low-income family, the struggle is real and the pressure is worse.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When people go out there and research about me, they find out I am many things positive. I am Uchechukwu Ajuzieogu, a distinguished global figure renowned for my diverse technology applications and organizational leadership expertise. My career has been focused heavily on business and technology, as far back as 2010. I started my very first role at Aperstech, a platform that provides digital services for businesses. From then on, it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride. I am unique, and my resilience is one core factor that sets me apart because I am not known to quit especially when things aren’t going in my favor. This is a unique trait about me, and this has propelled me to come this far in my career. Critical thinking, is also why I stay innovative, this is valid as more critical thinking in solving complex problems has been evident in my way of activities. I come from a family that is academically inclined but also business-oriented, that foundation is evident in my path, and the provision of such a child-growth-centric environment from my family pushed me to greater heights. Professionally, I earned a degree from the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka, and my core auspice is Computer Science, this has been of great benefit to me. However, my experience in practical business and computer software engineering has been hardcore to my professional growth too, as I’ve been able to work with local and global enterprises. Getting where I am has never been an easy feat. There have been numerous challenges that have become part of my journey thus far. Lots of lessons, I have also learned along the way. I have learned grit, endurance, humility, perseverance, ambition, tact, betrayals, disappointments, and more in my career. I have been able to overcome challenges I face by not reacting immediately to what’s happening in front of me, I’ve learned that meaning is a function of time. I want the world to know that great people are doing great things from small places, and the world needs to pay attention to those little great minds and support them. In a new wave, where their mediocrity is being celebrated, and value is becoming a mist, the world mustn’t lose track of innovative minds. Being a software engineer has been rewarding, and leading startups will continue to be worthwhile. For instance, I am the co-founder of Justwomanly, and it’s important to note that what Justwomanly is doing is to bring the value of Afro-fashion and Afro creators to the worldwide space, with the influx of migration of Africans to the West, Justwomanly aims to bring the culture to them and everyone in the guise of fashion, I see Justwomanly as the Gucci or LVMH of Africa, I want not just blacks to be proud of the African fashion, but it’ll be great to see Afro fashion become a wave globally where top names and brands are wearing or referencing African fashion and it’s designers, and Justwomanly is doing just that. If you take a look at LANFarms also, you see LANFarms simplifying agrocommerce with e-commerce. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately one-third of the food produced (about 1.3 billion tons), worth about US $1 trillion, is lost globally during postharvest operations every year. “Food loss” is defined as food that is available for human consumption but goes unconsumed. What LANFarms is doing ensures that post-harvest losses are minimal or not going to happen, especially to agro-businesses that produce food for sale. Accelerating what another of my startups is doing, which is Zylaa is super impressive. Zylaa is a dynamic health technology company at the forefront of revolutionizing healthcare services, products, and technology. Our mission is to empower individuals, caregivers, and healthcare providers with innovative solutions that enhance the quality of care and promote well-being. Zylaa is committed to transforming the healthcare landscape from cutting-edge telehealth services to state-of-the-art medical products. Our vision extends beyond borders as we bridge gaps in access and knowledge, ensuring everyone can enjoy healthier lives. I am inviting investors and healthcare lovers, to join us in shaping the future of healthcare with technology that connects and empowers. Working to create impact is not easy, and like said earlier it’ll be helpful for the world to take note and support what not I myself am doing but what millions of innovative minds are creating and offering. I am also working to put out an innovation hub that will help to steer the spirit of innovation, it’s called Incubexus, and I can’t wait for the world to see formidable talents and companies that’ll take the next generation to the next level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places in Houston include the Buffalo Bayou Park, The Menil Collection, The Houston Zoo, The Galleria and the Children’s Museum are interesting and fun places to be. Across the Atlantic, places in South Africa include Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Garden Route, Table Mountain, and Knysna. I love some delicious and spicy food which are mostly African dishes, so hey those are my favorite stuff that I can share with a best friend visiting around.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate a shoutout to my family, they’ve been supportive of my choices especially with my career as far back as childhood, because it was my dad who understood my passion for technology when I assembled and reassembled gadgets and appliances. You know, from there I was enrolled into a computer institute of technology in the name of Citihall owned by Samuel Osueke, and I met other amazing folks out there, who have continued to do something great. It all started from that move. So a big shoutout to my mom too, for getting me books on computer software, totally wholesome. Also a shoutout to all my colleagues, and cofounders like Peace Sampson and Henschel Ogubuike at LANFarms, and Norah Onyejeni at Justwomanly, without them I don’t think I’d be here though. And to all the amazing folks globally especially in the field of academia which I represent fully, for always coming through when I publish research works. Finally, a big shoutout to the Univeristy of Nigeria Nsukka. I mean, there are a lot of shoutouts, to the total customers who use the products and services I and my team develop, you all are the MVP, thank you!

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