Expert to Know: Manuj Aggarwal
What’s your backstory — how did you end up starting (or joining) an agency?
I came to Canada with a suitcase and big dreams. During the dot com book, I lost 4 jobs and was forced ti started over. From coding in a rented backroom to helping large enterprises adopt AI and getting recognised by Barack Obama and Bill Gates. The agency wasn't the plan. Solving real-world problems with tech was. The agency became the vessel.
What was your first entrepreneurial moment as a kid or teen?
I started young, selling homemade fitness supplements in 11th grade with a friend. Learned to price, pitch, and package. Before that, I was absorbing everything I could in my dad’s factory. That’s where business first became real.
What’s a belief you’ve changed your mind about in the last 3 years?
That clarity comes from the outside. It doesn’t. Most people chase validation. I have found answers within. Today, I believe real breakthroughs are internal. This is the idea behind my peer-reviewed science AI Merge, published in the Mensa Research Journal.
When do you feel most energized at work?
When I’m talking to people, helping them solving problems with tech. Not just optimising a funnel, but helping someone feel aligned with their own decisions.
What’s a day in your life really look like (no filters)?
No filters, wake up, meditate, do yoga. Then it's back-to-back meetings. If time allows, I escape into nature.
What’s a personal ritual or habit you credit for your success?
Mediation.
What’s one mistake you made early on that taught you something lasting?
Oversharing about oneself instead of focusing on others’ needs.
What’s something people get wrong about you?
That I’m arrogant. I’m just obsessed with clarity. It doesn’t always wear a smile.
What’s your definition of “success” right now?
Being a great dad. And helping the world adopt AI in a way that doesn’t lose the human in the process.
What type of clients or projects are a 'no' for you?
People chasing quick wins instead of long-term impact.
What trend in marketing/advertising do you think is overhyped?
Generating more and more content with AI.
What’s a trend you’re betting on long-term?
Emotional intelligence and human values.
What’s one small decision that led to a big result for your agency?
We prioritised human values when building AI Merge, and that led to our work being published in the Mensa Research Journal.
What advice would you give to someone starting an agency today?
Talk to as many people as possible about your idea.
What’s something you’d do differently if you were starting from scratch?
Double down on communication skills early. Code gets you started. Language gets you seen.
How do you approach pricing — any rules you live by?
We price based on outcomes and value created.
How do you prioritize growth vs. sustainability?
Sustainability first; sustainable growth is the goal.
Who’s one founder or operator you really admire — and why?
Elon Musk – for doing the impossible and for constant innovation.
What software or tool do you swear by?
AI Merge, a peer-reviewed science published in the Mensa Research Journal, is used to merge subconscious clarity with real-world decision logic and create super-intelligent thinking.
What’s one resource (book, podcast, etc.) that changed how you work?
My podcast: Bootstrapping Your Dreams.
What is your most controversial or unpopular belief?
Human driving will be illegal in 10 years.
What’s one thing you wish clients understood better about agency work?
It requires effort and dedication from both sides.
What’s your favorite thing about being in this industry?
I can combine logic and empathy on the same day. Solve billion-dollar problems and still talk about inner child healing.
