We recently had the chance to connect with EJ King, MSM and have shared our conversation below.
EJ, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I believe many people wrestle with the distinction between their true selves and their idealized selves. In my opinion, identity crises are a pandemic. Identity is not centered around material possessions or personal preferences, but around finding genuine peace.
That is where we can experience joy in complete stillness and a satisfaction without external validation.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a storyteller by nature and a marketer by profession. Because my passion is interwoven with my work, sincerity and integrity are core for me in building up any brand or product I represent.
Currently, I work in automotive software marketing. What I do is key to how cars are listed, bought, sold, and everything in between. If you’ve ever owned a car, chances are you’ve touched something I work with or on!
I speak for myself when I say, making things better for people in an industry I personally love, is a dream come true!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I think some would describe me as headstrong and even rebellious at times. That is the world talking—
In fact, I’ve always been inquisitive and never accepted anything just because that’s “how it is” or “that’s what everyone does”. My insatiable curiosity and drive for understanding have made me a strong, empathetic leader and a motivated high achiever.
I’ve never been afraid to speak up for what is right or those who do not have a voice. It has cost me at times and certainly wasn’t “cool” when I was a kid. But I believe doing what is right and good is worth any sacrifice.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I think my younger self needed to hear that nobody else had it figured out either.
I spent far too many years feeling confused as if I was behind on what everyone else got quickly and naturally.
This was not the case. Today, I see people of all ages going through the motions without any internal compass and tossed here and there by trends, appearances, and expectations. If you don’t question those things, you will follow without resistance.
I’ll just say, I had my version of midlife crises in my teens, so I don’t have to have it as an adult.
Younger me needed to know I was actually ahead of the game.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
We often conflate truth with preference. Truth is not relative.
There is no such thing as “your truth” or “my truth.” A fact that holds in one context does not become false in another.
While the truth may not be immediately apparent and can at times be difficult to discern, its pursuit is essential.
Finally, truth can, and often does, hurt.
If we are unwilling to confront the discomfort it brings, we risk avoiding it altogether and constructing a counterfeit reality. I choose not to live a lie; so even if the truth is painful, I want it.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Excellence in the absence of recognition is the pinnacle of integrity and should be a guiding principle.
It reflects a character rooted in sincerity, where motivation is internal rather than dependent on external validation.
This virtue, which I deeply admire, is cultivated through emotional intelligence and a consistent examination of intentions. I strive to be intentional in my actions, asking myself: “Am I doing this for the right reasons?”
Even commendable actions lose their value when driven by impure motives.
Ultimately, I aspire to give my best—not for praise, but because it’s right.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ej2king/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-l-jonesii/
