Meet Leslie Johnson

 

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

Leslie , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve always known my purpose was rooted in service—specifically, in helping others. From a young age, I found a sense of fulfillment and gratification in knowing I could contribute to someone’s growth or well-being, whether through encouragement or offering support. Reflecting on this now, I realize my purpose was shaped by my role within my family. As the oldest sibling, I often took on the responsibility of helping and guiding my brothers and sisters through their individual journeys, which naturally extended into my friendships and later into my career as an educator.

Over time, I realized that my purpose wasn’t just about teaching students content, but about helping them discover their own interests, strengths, and curiosities. As a creative and innovative thinker, I constantly challenged myself to think outside the box and question the status quo. I began to ask myself: Am I truly helping others, or am I imposing my own ideas of success onto them? This led to a deeper understanding that success and purpose are personal and unique to each individual. My role, then, is not to define that for others, but to be a supportive tool in their journey toward becoming the best version of themselves.

In my own life, I’ve come to understand that finding purpose is a continuous cycle of growth, learning, and self-discovery. Through this process, I’ve embraced my purpose not just as an educator, but as someone who serves others by helping them navigate their own paths. My goal is to be a guide, offering insight and support while allowing others to define what success looks like for themselves.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I find myself at a unique stage in my business journey where defining a specific “title” for what I do is challenging. I don’t just fit into one box—I’m expanding into many areas that allow me to serve my clients in diverse ways. Initially, I started with a specific vision, but as I’ve grown, I’ve found that my work has evolved in unexpected directions. This journey has led me to wear many hats, and as a result, my title doesn’t fully encompass the depth of what I offer.

At the core, I’m an educator, but my business extends far beyond traditional teaching. I consider myself an educational expert, working as a tutor, online course designer, curriculum writer, and coach for both teachers and students. I also provide consulting and professional development training, and I specialize in content creation for subjects I’ve taught and mastered. Recently, I’ve been invited to contribute to discussions on how to better support teachers and students in this technology-driven age, which has broadened my perspective and opened doors to exciting new opportunities.

One of the most exciting developments in my journey has been collaborating with corporations to design training programs for their onboarding processes. This experience has given me valuable insight into corporate needs and has inspired me to create my own training materials and workbooks. I’m currently in the process of launching my own training programs, using the lessons I’ve learned from working with established businesses to shape the future of my own company.

Oops, did I answer the question? Coming soon—or rather, currently loading—is the official launch of my own training courses. Alongside these, I’ll be sharing videos that offer insight into the growth of my company. My values and strength lie in understanding the importance of rapport-building with my audience and future clients, and I believe in sharing my journey to inspire and educate others.

Right now, my focus is on revamping my website to reflect all the new roles I’ve taken on. I’m also completing projects for a corporate client while simultaneously developing my own training programs. As I grow, I’m committed to documenting and sharing my process through videos to ensure I’m not gatekeeping the small successes that come with running a small business.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First, let’s acknowledge that I’m still early in my own journey. I’m not an expert in all things small business, and I’m learning as I go. I’ve found support in creative and innovative ways to approach my goals, and that’s an ongoing process.

The three qualities or skills that have been most impactful for me so far are determination, optimism, and a sense of hope. Determination keeps me grounded and focused on making a meaningful difference, not just fulfilling surface-level needs. It’s important to me that the projects I take on reflect my values and allow me to pour myself into work that feels purposeful. I get to choose what I work on, and that choice empowers me to make a lasting impact.

Having the opportunity to lead, teach, and coach in various environments has deepened my understanding of life and its many perspectives. I’ve realized that everyone is on their own journey toward creating a life that feels meaningful. My ability to see life from multiple viewpoints has kept me humble and open to learning from every interaction. People, experiences, and the act of sharing knowledge have taught me that we’re all part of a larger cycle. We advance by learning from the past—the mistakes, successes, and experiences of others. Without that sharing, we wouldn’t be as far along as we are today. Our progress is built on innovative solutions to old problems and the continuous refinement of what works.

As for advice, I would say: keep an open mind about what you want or think life should be. Don’t limit yourself to your current ideas—sometimes things work out better than you could have imagined. And even if they don’t go according to plan, stay optimistic. There’s always hope for another opportunity or a new approach. Determination will help you navigate those disappointments and find new paths forward.

In short: be open, stay hopeful, and remain determined. Those qualities will guide you through whatever challenges or opportunities come your way.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Thank you for asking this insightful question to follow-up after presenting my most important qualities/skills.

Currently, I am navigating a period of significant transition, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, I am reorganizing my life in ways that reflect new priorities and goals. This shift has meant reevaluating and sometimes letting go of long-standing relationships and routines, which can be both challenging and emotionally taxing. Adjusting to this new phase involves accepting that not everyone will move forward with me, and embracing this change as part of my growth process.

Professionally, I am facing the challenge of managing multiple new projects and clients while still growing and maintaining my business. As a new business owner, I am learning to balance the demands of building and expanding my business with maintaining existing commitments. This balancing act requires developing and implementing systems that support both immediate needs and long-term goals. I am actively seeking guidance from more established businesses and engaging in coaching to refine these systems.

To address these challenges, I am focusing on establishing structured workflows and integrating effective processes that accommodate the dynamic nature of my work. This includes ensuring I take regular breaks to manage stress and maintain my well-being. I prioritize self-care by staying hydrated drinking enough water to optimize my body, enjoying outdoor activities which lately has been in the form of walking 2-3miles daily, and nurturing personal relationships by going out to engage in fun activities. By leading by example and fostering a healthy work-life balance, I aim to build a strong foundation for both my personal growth and the success of my business.

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