#Girlcrush - Tia Johnson
Tell us about yourself and your business!
I am from Philadelphia, Pa. I graduated from La Salle University with a degree in Business Administration. I am a spiritual lifestyle entrepreneur who is an international speaker, best selling author, podcaster, and blogger. I help women to own their spirituality and claim their power in life and in business so they can live an unapologetic phenomenal life they'll love.
What inspired you to start your own business?
The deaths of my grandparents triggered me to start my business. My grandmother died from cancer and my Pop-Pop died from a broken heart. I was distraught that I went on, what became to be, a two-year spiritual healing period. Afterwards, I started my business to help people to heal spirituality and to live their best life without apologies. I used to live for the accolades and not for myself. That changed when I began to look within and discovered what really makes me happy.
Is this your full time job?
Not yet!
How do you structure your days?
I work 10 hours a day at my full-time job so that I get a day off a week. So, I’m off from work Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. So, I work 10 hours a day, go to the gym, eat, and work on my business. Luckily, I’m a night owl and don’t require much sleep. I do must of my work at night. I’m more creative at night. I record my podcast episodes in batches on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, I write most of my blog posts. I schedule clients, interviews, and telephone conferences in the evenings or Friday mornings.
Where and how do you work best?
I work best around midnight to around 4am. I work in my office or in the living room. Sometimes I blast music and other times I work in silence.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Freebie download called 7 Transformational Tips To Live An Unapologetic Phenomenal Life
Where is your business based?
Online and over the phone. However, I do speaking engagements so there are in-person events.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I registered my business name with the state by making it an LLC. I created a Facebook business page, and Instagram page, and a blog. I also told a few people about my business.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and attracting new customers?
Professional consistency is what I like to call it. It’s where you provide amazing content and connect with people authentically consistency on multiple platforms.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Time management. Sometimes I focus too much on one thing, which means I’m not focusing elsewhere and time passes by. And, by passes by I mean weeks go by not hours!
How did you overcome these challenges?
For the most part, yes I have overcome the time management challenge. I hired an amazing VA and an Instagram consultant to help keep me accountable. I also get to delegate a bunch of tasks which frees up my time!
How do you keep motivated through tough times?
I surround myself with a certain caliber of people. I’m really strict about who I have in my inner circle. I simply cannot afford to have a Negative Nancy or a Doubting Debra on my team. My family and close friends (who are my extended family) keep me motivated. I also read or listen to the background stories of wildly successful people. If they can overcome very unfortunate situations, then I can overcome my thoughts of I’m not doing enough.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I don’t think about the competitors. Interestingly enough, someone asked me the other day what makes me unique. I said, “I help people to live their lives according to them for their highest good. To lead their life unapologetically whatever that is to them.”
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Honor the space that you’re in.
What do you wish you had known when you started your business?
That it’ll take longer than I expected, it being various things. And, I don’t have to purchase every single attractive course because it’s by someone who is the go-to person or because the sales page is pretty. Do more research before buying that course. Understanding that a go-to person’s work may not resonate with me and that’s okay.
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now?
At the moment, my two biggest influences are Lauryn Evarts-Bosstick, creator of The Skinny Confidential and Kimra Luna, creator of Freedom Hacker and BeTrueBrandYou (BTBY). They are down-to-earth, real, and rock stars. They are consistently delivering amazing content that has resulted in me growing in life and in my business.
I equally admire Lauryn and Kimra!
My grandparents and all the women who I have talked to who want to live their best lives inspired me to do what I’m doing now.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
It’s crucial to surround yourself with go-getters.
Keep your day job because you need to pay the bills, eat, have health insurance, and fund your business.
Connect with entrepreneurs who are similar to you, no wantapreneurs.
Don’t compare yourself. Do what you can where you’re at.
Be resourceful.
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Make time for play. Watching an hour of Game of Thrones isn’t going to damage your business.
What business tools/resources could you not work without?
I recently talked about this on my podcast. Here’s what I swear by:
Trello-web-based project management application. I use this to connect with my VA. I upload all the material I batch, Instagram pictures, etc.
UberEats- The last thing I want to think about while I’m in my groove is what to cook. I rather delegate that task!
Bit.ly- shortens links
Facebook pages app- I used this for my business page and go live from my phone.
Last Pass- Upload websites you visit with the password and screen name. I use this so that my VA can go in and do things like upload my audio podcast episode to BlogTalkRadio. No one can see the sensitive information and they can’t change the password.
What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?
Many people put on a good front. For example, some people pretend to be an entrepreneur with clout.
Where would you like your business to be 5 years from now?
Involving more international speaking engagements, having an online membership community, and more books published.
Where can we find you?
Facebook: @tiajohnsonspiritualmentor
Facebook Group: Spiritual &Empowerment Living
Website: www.tiamariejohnson.com
Email: tia@tiamariejohnson.com