Meet Annie Johnson

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Annie Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Annie, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

As an extrovert, my self-care involves on spending time with my friends. It can be really tricky to prioritize friend time as an adult, as a mom, as a business owner; everyone has schedules to juggle, and it’s hard finding times that align. One thing I’ve started doing is the errand-hang, in which we’ll do something productive together like dropping off meal trains or picking up prescriptions in the drive-thru. But it’s also so valuable to work through those scheduling challenges and truly set aside time to sit down with a glass of wine and vent and laugh. When I make time for this, my morale and energy level improves, and my amazing friends are always full of great ideas and support.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Take Care, South Bend is a service that creates and delivers gift baskets, care packages, and subscription boxes, all featuring quality products from local shops and makers. Our region is full of creative talent, and I love helping small businesses grow together.

One exciting step I’ve taken is joining The Portage Collective. At first, I was just looking for a workroom, but by happy coincidence, it ended up being a place where women and queer business owners can not only share space but share the ups and downs of brick and mortar retail. I’m inspired daily by my Collective partners.

Looking ahead, I want to focus on bringing in more regular B2B customers. My packages are the perfect fit for short term rental hospitality gifts and nonprofits who wish to thank their board members.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Collaboration – My brand is build on networking and partnerships. I’m so thankful for the first business owners who took a chance on a very different way of marketing with me! If collaboration isn’t currently part of your company’s vision, you can take an hour to research other local businesses that share a common mission and reach out for a coffee meeting.

2. Storytelling – Whether it’s telling a shopper about the baker behind the cookies, or giving a TikTok viewer a behind-the-scenes vlog of my day, it’s usually more impactful to tell a story than to push a product. Consuming stories can be an excellent starting point; being authentic rather than aspirational as you develop your storytelling is sure to help you connect with new followers.

3. Curiosity – I’m quick to check out a new restaurant or shop. My curiosity helps me find new products to include in my care packages, but it also helps keep my knowledge relevant. I’m aware that some of my social media followers follow me just for city content, to be in the know. I”m delighted to be a resource for new residents. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, but just as easy to ask your curious friends what new places they recommend you try! You might find a new favorite or meet an important connection.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Tucker’s Countryside (the sequel to The Cricket in Times Square) has a moment that haunts/inspires me.

“You know what we ought to do?” said Mrs. Hadley. “We ought to take those signs ourselves and go down and march around City Hall!”

“Yes, we really should,” said John’s mother. “But I’ve got such a tubful of laundry to do this afternoon—”

“—and there’s the marketing for the whole weekend.” Anne’s mother sighed and shook her head.

The mothers stood silent, thinking of what they ought to do and of all the little, necessary chores that would keep them from doing it.

Something about this tragedy awakened the advocate in me! Don’t let all the little “musts” in your life prevent you from speaking up or playing big.

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