AJs blog

  I’ve always believed that leadership isn’t about titles or how much authority someone has. It’s about how you treat people and the way you make them feel. A good leader is someone who listens, someone who cares, and someone who doesn’t just talk about change but actually works for it. Growing up in Peru, I learned about leaders like María Elena Moyano, a woman who stood up for her community in Villa El Salvador during some very difficult times. She wasn’t powerful in the traditional sense, but people trusted her because she was brave, compassionate, and willing to fight for others. That kind of leadership has always stuck with me because it shows that true influence comes from serving, not controlling. Now that I live in the United States, I notice the same qualities in the people I admire here. One of the biggest leaders for me is Steve Harvey. Beyond his success and career, what I admire most is his point of view on life and the way he treats others with respect and humility. H...

Hi everyone! My name is Alvaro Linan, but most people know me as AJ. I was born and raised in Lima, Peru, and I’m incredibly proud of my roots. Both of my parents are also from Lima, and they worked tirelessly to bring my siblings and me to the United States. Thanks to their sacrifices, we’ve all been able to build better futures for ourselves and our children. I’m the youngest of eleven: six brothers and five sisters. That means I grew up surrounded by a lot of love, noise, and life lessons. Family is everything to me. My wife and children are the heart of my world. Becoming a father changed my life in ways I never expected. It gave me purpose, patience, and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with love. Every decision I make, every goal I chase, is rooted in wanting to give them the best life possible. They’re my motivation, my grounding force, and my biggest joy. Before moving to South Dakota, I lived in Arizona for several years. The desert heat, the sunsets, and the co...