Where are you from?
I was born on 8-mile Detroit in a town called Ferndale. But my dad joined the Navy and we moved every 1 to 4 years. My last three years of High School were in Orange Park, Florida (Fleming Island). Then I went down to Gainesville to attend UF but stayed there for 10 years before moving back to Jacksonville.
How long have you lived in Northeast Florida?
On and off total of 15 years.
Where do you work and what is the role you play?
I own a technology design and consulting firm called AJ Hall Design. I’m basically an “interior designer for technology”. I help architects, custom home builders, and interior designer integrate technology into the overall vision of their home by listening and assessing their clients needs, drawing it into the electrical plans, and then I project manage implementation through my Trusted Partners. I have one local technology install company per category of home technology.
How long have you been involved in this industry and how did you get involved?
Seven years. Before that, I was in non-profit work for 10 years. But in non-profit work, people don’t realize that leadership or “selling vision” is very important. So, I see it as a form of sales. I would listen to guys like Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar, and became fascinated by the concept of the “shepherd salesmen”. I eventually felt called to pursue business and landed a job at Atlantic Security as an alarm system salesmen. I eventually started doing AV work along with Alarms. Atlantic taught me so much and they are now my Life Safety Vendor. For about two years, the idea of AJ Hall Design was brewing in my heart. Just seeing this need for an “interior designer for technology”.
What is one thing that not many people know about you, but they might find interesting?
My first “career” was a Club DJ. I had several residences in Gainesville bars and clubs and worked 4-5 nights a week during my college years. But in the middle of all that, I lost my father and had a very real and genuine spiritual experience at his deathbed. This experience kinda led me to pursue a higher purpose for my life and that’s how I ended up in non-profit work, eventually being ordained at 26.
AJ Hall Design 