Kathy Johnson

I attribute my success to surviving in a family of entrepreneurs, farmers, and hardworking people. My grandmother had a bakery, my aunt had a restaurant, and my dad had a logging business, lumber mill, and full-service gas station. I worked in all of them and learned to do anything - I can do anything in a sawmill except head saw, anything in a restaurant, hotel business, and bakery. Growing up in that environment taught me how to work hard and be versatile. But what really drives me is my creative side and teaching others. When I teach somebody to make something and I see what they achieve, I am prouder of what they can do than what I can do myself. When I can teach somebody to make mittens as good as or better than me, that makes me prouder than anything I do. It's about passing on knowledge and helping others succeed, which is more fulfilling to me than my own accomplishments.

Work as hard as you can, and be true to yourself.

I would advise young women to always stay professional-looking and professional-speaking. I never used my female sexuality in any way. I would always wear a suit and a skirt because it was professional looking, but I never did the short skirts - they were always professional length. I always wanted everybody to see me in the same light, whether it was a male, female, or whoever was making the decisions. I never wanted them to see me as a threat or in a sexual way. Unfortunately, women do tend to try and use their sexuality, and I never did that. I wanted to be respected for my work and professionalism, not for anything else.

Honesty is most important to me, along with being true to what I am and what's most important in my life. I never wanted to use anybody or anything. Whatever situation might arise, I support my friends and family and everybody - I want them to prosper. I believe in helping others succeed and being genuine in all my relationships, both personal and professional.