We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
The key thing I would set up very quickly if I was starting over is building stronger partnerships and connections. I’ve learned that no matter how solid your product or service is, the real fuel for growth often comes from the relationships you build along the way.
Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I spent too much time trying to do everything on my own. As an introvert, I preferred staying in my comfort zone, avoiding the need to engage or rely on others. However, over the last few years, that perspective has completely changed. I’ve learned there is immense value in collaborating with others who bring diverse strengths, perspectives, and networks. By forming strategic partnerships early on, I could have tapped into a wealth of resources, knowledge, and opportunities much sooner, accelerating my growth and success.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi, I’m Angela Johnson, a web designer and developer with 6 years of experience. I’m passionate about helping small businesses and nonprofits succeed online by creating digital spaces that are visually appealing, highly functional, and accessible. I specialize in crafting websites that are user-friendly, optimized for search engines, and tailored to the unique needs of each business and organization. My focus is to create websites, that are both visually appealing and user-friendly helping to drive web traffic and improve the overall user experience.
With a strong focus on personalized service, I work closely with my clients to understand their goals and deliver solutions that exceed their expectations. I’m very proud of my work in supporting local, diverse businesses and nonprofits, helping them gain visibility both online and within their communities. Many of these organizations lack the resources to hire large marketing agencies, and I’m committed to providing them with affordable, effective web design and digital marketing solutions.
My mission is to empower the businesses and organizations I work with by providing them with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age. If you’re looking for a partner who genuinely cares about your success and is dedicated to helping you grow, I’m here to assist you.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson I had to unlearn was that networking isn’t just about getting your name out there—it’s about making genuine connections. When I first started my business, I would attend events and focus solely on passing out my business card, thinking that would be enough to attract clients. I didn’t engage deeply with others, partly because of my introverted nature and partly because I believed quantity mattered more than quality.
It wasn’t until a year into my business that I realized I was approaching networking the wrong way. I came to understand that it’s about building relationships, not just distributing business cards. With this epiphany, I knew I had to change my approach. I started to embrace my introverted strengths—like listening and connecting on a deeper level—and shifted my focus from how many people I could meet to how well I could engage with just a few. I began having more meaningful conversations, asking thoughtful questions, and truly listening to the stories of the people I met.
This shift has been transformative. Now, when I attend events, I push myself to step out of my comfort zone, but I no longer feel the pressure to talk to everyone in the room. Instead, I focus on making genuine connections, which has led to stronger and more lasting professional and personal relationships. It’s a reminder that even as an introvert, you can network effectively by staying true to who you are and focusing on quality over quantity.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A significant pivot in my life occurred when I had to leave my job in a biology lab due to a military move. With a degree in biology, I was deeply invested in my career and passionate about my work. However, when my family had to relocate, I found myself facing a tough decision—I had to step away from the lab, which was difficult after having poured so much into that career.
After a few years, we moved back to the area where I had worked in the lab. I was presented with the opportunity to return to my previous job, but by then, my circumstances had changed. My children were in elementary school, and I realized that being there for them when they came home each day was a priority for me. I had to make a critical decision: go back to the lab or choose a path that would allow me to balance my professional goals with my responsibilities as a mother.
That’s when I decided to pivot to web design and development. It was a field that intrigued me and offered the flexibility to work from home. Transitioning from biology to web design was not easy, but it was the right choice for my family and me. I dedicated myself to learning a new set of skills, and over time, I built a successful business that allowed me to be both present for my children and fulfilled in my career.
This pivot taught me the value of adaptability and reinforced the importance of aligning my career with my life priorities. It’s a reminder that sometimes, life requires us to change direction, and while those changes can be challenging, they often lead to new and rewarding opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amjwebsolutions.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiemjohnson95
Image Credits
Angela Jackson