Monica Johnson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Monica , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are sacred. I start with breath work, meditation, journaling and coffee to ground myself and balance everything out. I try to squeeze in a quick 10-minute workout and a little piano practice before work begins. When I’m at the piano, I feel at peace plus I love sipping on my homemade iced almond milk matcha green tea lattes whenever I’m practicing. It’s the perfect dose of zen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! My name is Monica Johnson, and I’m a multi-faceted creative, artist, pianist and entrepreneur. I work across both the advertising and makeup artistry industries and when I’m not doing that, you’ll likely find me at the piano or traveling.
During the week, I manage animation, vfx, design and experiential studios. On the side, I’m the founder of my own makeup artistry business, specializing in bridal and natural glam. My business is centered around empowering and uplifting others through makeup and finding their inner “MoJo”.
The pandemic became a pivotal moment for me because I was able to take a very dark moment and rediscover hidden passions like teaching myself how to play piano and interior decoration. What began as a personal outlet for healing soon evolved into a purpose-driven journey. I began using my piano playing to help raise awareness for scleroderma, an incurable auto-immune disease that took my mom’s life. I used interior decoration as a pick me up and a way to transform space.
At the heart of everything I do lies transformation, resilience, and the beauty of becoming both in art and in life.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child and even as a young adult, I faced a lot of obstacles and often believed more in the fear than in faith alone. Back then, I couldn’t hold the same vision I do now because I didn’t have the proper mindset or the tools to navigate life’s storms. With a little bit of therapy, having a stronger sense of faith, who I am as a person and a different way of thinking have all shifted my perspectives. You have to walk through darkness to truly see the light and to know that we are not defined by our circumstances. Our destiny isn’t just up to us but it’s is often a reminder to who we truly are and reroutes us back on the right pathway in spite of detours, obstacles and challenges we may face. You just have to focus and believe.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that pain is temporary even when it doesn’t feel that way. It builds resilience, grit, and the courage to face challenges head-on. You learn to how to become determined to succeed instead of surrendering to circumstance.
If success had been handed to me on a silver platter, I would never have developed the skill set or tools to navigate life’s storms. Failure makes us stronger. Suffering gives us a testimony because every test births one. Without the test, there would be no testimony.
It’s easy to throw in the towel, but quitters never win and winners never quit. Our struggles and moments of adversity are strength training for the soul. They remind us that even in our lowest moments, we still hold the power to rise and to be grateful for the journey along the way.
The other day, I was shopping in NYC and came across a magnet quoting Swiss-American psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. The words couldn’t have been more poignant.
“The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
Those words capture exactly what I’ve come to believe – that beauty isn’t born from perfection, but from perseverance.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is only a sliver of who I am. Like all of us, I have many intricate layers. What I share isn’t for accolades or praise. It’s a choice and it’s simply an authentic glimpse into my work, my life, and the progress I’ve made and I’m proud of that.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I finally feel like I’m stepping into my purpose. When I was younger, life felt very cookie cutter. Get good grades, go to college, get a stable job/career, save money, get married, have kids, yada, yada, yada. As life so often does, life was lifeing and out of my control. While it wasn’t shaping out the way I initially anticipated, whatever I could control, I did and took the necessary steps to protect my space. It was at my breaking point, however, that things started to shift.
Both my mom’s passing and the pandemic became major pivot points because I was forced to pause and focus on things that truly mattered and brought me peace. If it weren’t for the pandemic, my unbelievable piano journey may never have evolved and if it weren’t for my mom’s passing, I may not have pursued my makeup artistry business. So often, life can feel like a never-ending hamster wheel, especially when you’re chasing expectations that aren’t your own. It’s scary to take a leap of faith off the hamster wheel but when you do is when the magic happens. I took the time necessary to find what brought me joy, carving my own pathway forward. God, the Universe, and my mom are truly guiding me.
When I was working in corporate several years ago, my life revolved around the job, leaving very little room for creativity or happiness outside the office. Now, I’m intentionally creating space to nurture my gifts, finding balance and leaning into my artistry, music, and purpose-driven work. It feels like I’m finally living in alignment rather than on autopilot.
Every day, I’m taking my goals and dreams to new heights and finding joy in the process and hopefully inspiring others. That to me is what true success looks like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mojoglowmua.com
- Instagram: @mojoglowmua & @mojoglowlifestyle
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaerynjohnson/
Image Credits
Photo Credits:
Christine Keeley
Orion Phillips II
Tatiana C. Epps
Michael Kanlis
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