Andrea Johnson

I would say my faith, I think. Really grateful, but then also, I would say, like, a big thing is, yeah, it's the village that's around you, but then I also think it's, like, just for myself, I think I'm a relatively positive person, and I would say, like, I'm willing to try things, and I try to see the best in everybody, so the team that I try to grow around me. I always try to find people that are smarter than me, in a lot of things that I'm not the expertise in, but they are, and I truly believe that that needs to do better as a whole. So I think it's just having confidence within myself, and I know what I'm good at, and I know what I'm certainly not good at. So the people who are better than me, and I want them to be on my team. I want them in, you know, the same boat as me, paddling in the same direction. I think it's that, but I also think that there it's being honest, and good communication's also, a really good aspect of, you know, the success that's been there is, I'm not gonna lie to people, and I'm always gonna overcommunicate rather than under-communicate.

I would say, when the going gets tough, the toughs get going. And then I would also say, like, just be present wherever your feet are. So, whether I'm at home, like, if that's where I am, I'm 100% present being mom and at home, and if I'm working, then I'm gonna be 100% present when I'm working. So, I think it's having that line, and trying not to mix them, but I would say those two for sure.

I mean, I think I would just say to anybody is, like, you know, I think the more time that you focus on if you can do it, rather than just doing it, like, it's just wasted energy, so just do it and try. I mean, the worst case scenario, it's not the right fit. Okay, like, at least you're not gonna have the regrets. I think that's the big one, but, you know, I know one of the biggest fears, just in general, people have is really being rejected, and that's, you know, I think of hearing no. And I think if people kind of twist the narrative that if you're pitching something, or trying to, you know, network, or whatever it may be, if you look into the opportunity of, like, what's the absolute worst case scenario that the outcome could be, it could be that someone says no. Okay, well, then you already know. Like, it's a hands, and I look at that worst thing that happens within a conversation is that someone just says, hey, no, it's not a fit. You can't take it personally. Okay, then, you know? Great, like, again, this project or myself is not going to always be the fit for everybody. Right. And just because it's maybe a no today doesn't mean it's gonna be a no in two years. It's just it's one of those things where you have to go into it with a positive mindset of, okay, if that's the worst thing that's happening, I'm gonna be okay. You definitely are gonna learn more from the no's than they do the yes's.

You know, I think that there's always a challenge, like, you know, the making sure someone's brand is aligned with their profits, and I think a lot of people think that it's more important to have your profits higher and have your brand chased. I think that's sometimes harder. I think that you have a lot more of a direction and a little bit more control when your brand is there than your profits, because your profits will eventually catch up with your brand. A company to understand their brand story, understand their core values, no matter what, sticking with those, and, not trying to be everything to everyone, because that's just it's impossible to do that. So I think it's really focusing on your demographic and just honing in on that. I think a big thing, though, is a new direction that's going on that can be good and can be bad is AI. So I think that a very interesting direction going on. I think it's very much going to be difficult for those going through college. I think on the educational standpoint, it can be a big hindrance. Because I think a big thing with marketing, especially business, like, it's about camaraderie, it's about having creativity. Enjoying it is at the wall and see what sticks. You know, it's not about putting a quick, you know, question into a computer and having it shoot out. I also think it's detrimental to creating relationships. And trust, because sometimes people are wondering, like, am I actually talking to a real person? And so, I think that's a direction that's a little frightening for the industry, but I also believe, like, when the pendulum swings one way, it's going to swing back. So I think people are really honing in on just, like, really relying on those trusted relationships that they've had. But yeah, I think it's a very different direction of our generation, generations before us have never had to deal with before.