A journey that began as a dream in 2014 has now turned ten years old. Driven by the passion and vision of Agwazim Isaac Ifeanyichukwu, whose primary goal was to make a mark in the media industry and empower others by creating job opportunities and advancing careers. In this exclusive interview, Top Society Magazine’s publisher, Agwazim Isaac, shares with Chukwuani Victoria and Oluwafunmilayo Ogedengbe the inspiring story behind the magazine’s creation. Enjoy the highlights:
Who exactly is Isaac Agwazim?
Agwazim Isaac Ifeanyichukwu is a visionary leader who never gives up, no matter how tough the journey gets. He comes from a modest background, but his determination and focus have led him to success. My journey into the media industry started as a graphic artist, designing magazines for various publishers. My elder brother, who is the publisher of Classic Magazine, played a significant role in my media education. I handled graphics, production, circulation, and marketing at Classic, drilling myself in every aspect of the business.
When I moved to Port Harcourt, I worked as a journalist for a local tabloid, Oyigbo City News. I transformed the magazine’s image, making it more marketable. Having assumed nearly every role, I realized I had what it takes to drive a brand. When I left, I started Top Society Magazine from scratch, with nothing but determination to make a difference.
Over the years, I set goals for myself and the business, aiming for growth, but my greatest passion has always been impacting lives. My friends often ask why I don’t focus on personal gains like buying a car, but my drive has always been to help others achieve their goals and earn a decent living. Today, I’m working on a new business that will create jobs for at least 10 people initially, and up to 50 within the first year.
My biggest joy isn’t about becoming a billionaire though if it happens, to God be the glory but about being able to provide for my family and creating opportunities for others. I believe in making a positive impact on society by alleviating the struggles people face.
What inspired the birth of Top Society Magazine?
Top Society is beyond a conventional magazine it’s divinely inspired. Initially, I had planned to call it The National Icon, but after sharing the idea with a trusted friend, I was devastated to discover that he had started a publication with that name. I was lost and began praying for direction.
One night in June 2014, I received divine inspiration to name it Top Society. I was instructed to design the logo immediately, which I did at 2 a.m. The logo remains unchanged since then. After three months of hard work, the first edition was published on August 25, 2014. Despite many challenges, including having to salvage soaked copies from a gutter after falling in the rain, I pushed forward. Today, what started in a small cubicle 10 years ago has evolved into a global brand.
What challenges did you encounter in the last 10 years, and how did you overcome them?
Every business faces challenges, and publishing is no different. We’ve dealt with rejection, low patronage, and poor funding. Sometimes it took us weeks or even months to raise the funds needed to publish an issue. We faced skepticism and criticism from friends and family, but I stayed focused on my vision.
One of the biggest challenges was finding a dedicated workforce. Many people joined just for immediate gains, without considering the future of the business. Yet, I persisted, knowing where I was headed. With divine support, focus, and the goodwill of a few friends, we’ve made it this far.
Looking back over the past 10 years, what are some milestones Top Society has achieved?
When we first started, we had just two sheets in the magazine one in color and the other in black and white. As we grew, we increased the number of pages and eventually switched to an all-color, A4-sized magazine with around 60 pages.
Our audience has expanded significantly. We now have a strong online presence, in addition to print. Our readership has grown, and we’ve attracted valuable business relationships. Although we haven’t yet reached our ultimate goal, we have come a long way from where we started.
How has Top Society promoted societal values and integrity?
We have consistently provided valuable information to our readers. People look forward to our daily updates, and the feedback we receive shows that our stories make a difference. Whether it’s promoting job creation or featuring young artists, we aim to contribute positively to society. Our work has touched lives, and that is a source of fulfillment for me.
How do you define success?
Success is not a destination; it’s the ability to do better than you did yesterday. It’s a continuous journey of improvement. People will always expect more from you, so the key to success is consistently delivering better value.
What do you look for in team members?
At Top Society, we value vision, passion, and a hunger for excellence. We didn’t start with wealth, but with a commitment to our goals. I look for team members who are driven by these same qualities. If you don’t have passion and vision, you won’t fit in at Top Society.
Are there any exciting new projects on the horizon?
We are transitioning into a full-fledged media brand, with plans to launch Top Society TV. We want to be a one-stop shop for all media needs print, online, and television. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come, and I’m confident that we will continue to grow.
Where do you see Top Society in the next five years?
In the next five years, I want Top Society to be among the top 10 magazines in Nigeria and the top 20 in the world. I envision a workforce of at least 50 employees and a brand that is a top choice for advertisers due to our quality, accuracy, and reach.
What advice would you give to new media entrepreneurs?
Success in media is not about chasing money it’s about solving problems and creating value. Focus on identifying problems and offering solutions. Money will follow once you’re delivering value.
What advice do you have for new media entrepreneurs who want to make a positive impact like yourself?
Firstly, if you want to make an impact, one thing I’ve learned is that those who chase money often remain poor. Wealthy people don’t focus on money; they focus on solving problems. So, if you want to succeed as a media entrepreneur, let money be one of your top 10 priorities, but not your number one or two. If money is your primary focus, you’ll likely be disappointed when it doesn’t come as expected, and your passion may start to fade. Instead, focus on identifying problems and providing solutions. When you solve problems, people will pay you for it. But if you’re always focused on the money, you’ll end up pushing the right people away.
Secondly, be honest. If you’re working on a deal worth 10 naira, don’t hide anything. I’ve had the privilege of working with great people, and the positive feedback I’ve received has been remarkable. The last thing I want is for money to cause problems with anyone. If it ever does, I’d rather let it go for the sake of peace. When you live beyond the pursuit of money, that’s when money will be entrusted to you. But if you’re always chasing money, it’s only a matter of time before things go wrong.
Most people pray to God for help, but when God finally sends a destiny helper, the challenge is maintaining that relationship. So, what measures do you put in place to sustain those who come into your life to help you? You must be intentional, accountable, trustworthy, appreciative, and a problem solver. Even billionaires have problems—find their problems and solve them, no matter how small. Don’t be a taker. If you’re always taking, it’s only a matter of time before your opportunity expires. But if you’re a solution provider, you may struggle today, but not for long.
In summary, be a solution, not a problem. If you provide solutions, you will be paid for your services. It may not happen immediately, but it will come with time.
Additionally, keep growing. Don’t remain stagnant. As each phase passes, move with it. Make yourself relevant by adapting to each new stage of your business. In the media industry, for example, we transitioned from print to website and social media. If we hadn’t kept up with those changes, we would have been left behind. Those who understand the times will surpass you if you don’t. You must be aware of the changing seasons and have a hunger to learn every day. That’s the only way to make a lasting difference.
How is Top Society celebrating its 10th anniversary, and what message would you like to share with your readers and supporters as you mark this significant milestone?
To our supporters, friends, and loyal readers: if we had written all these stories without your support and patronage, we wouldn’t be here today. Without naming names, there are two individuals who have stood by us through thick and thin, making our work feel effortless. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to them. I know they’ll both read this, and I want to publicly express my deepest gratitude for making this journey so much easier.
Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for your unwavering support over the years. Thank you for continuing to watch us grow into the bigger picture.
To our readers around the world: we may have disappointed you at times, and we’ve certainly brought you joy as well. But I assure you that we are committed to delivering value—whether for your business, your money, your time, or the energy you’ve invested in the Top Society brand. We are on the path to providing you with the value you deserve. We have never taken your support for granted, and we appreciate you deeply. As we enter our 10th year as a media brand, it’s clear that without your consistent support, your visits to our pages and sites, and your encouragement and feedback, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We promise to uphold our standards and strive to do even better. Thank you.