We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Johnson . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Alright, Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?
I had the opportunity to work for a luxury cruise line, in the ships, during my career. It was a small vessel with only 150 crew members. As the shore excursions manager, I had a lot of responsibility to ensure the guests had a great experience in port AND the company made money. Sometimes those two objectives were counterproductive. Once, during a tour that involved a commercial flight in India, the flight was repeatedly delayed. I held my breath, asked the cost of a full charter, and made the decision to charter that flight and explain the expense later. It was a Sunday in India and there was no one in the “office” to ask. It taught me to be fearless and trust my gut. That lesson has stayed with me.
Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Well, Jennifer Johnson is a professional meeting planner. I found this as a career opportunity while in high school. As part of a Youth Council, I was one of three chairmen of a large conference. We fully planned a 2.5 day conference for 350 students from across North Carolina. I loved it! When it was over, I asked my advisors if this was a career path. Learning that it was, I set my hat towards that type of job. I lucked into a support job at a PR agency as my first real job. I definitely was in an administrative role, but they found I had an aptitude and interest in events and let me work those. I learned customer service, scope creep, and most importantly, business writing.
I founded the Johnson Meetings Group in 2018 as a boutique agency that assists clients in delivering their programs. Whether it is bringing in the client’s culture or the flavors of the destination, we creatively weave together an experience that attendees remember.
We don’t always say YES. Sometimes our job is to help find the best solution for a client’s vision and that may differ from their original vision.
I am proud that we enjoy long-term client relationships. We have been with some client contacts at multiple employers. I am thrilled that we have never really pursued a piece of business. Our marketing consists of social media posts, our website, and engagement in our industry. Most of our clients have been referrals and THAT is the best reward. Our focus is meetings so yours can be business.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
March 2020…that was pivotal for the world, but especially those of us in the meetings and events. Our revenue dried up in a matter of two weeks. We were lucky, we had strong relationships with our clients. A prorated fee over two years continued to pay the mortgage. On-site time spent at client events focused on grant writing taught me to tell my story and we received our first grant. That grant process put our name on a new list that resulted in a second grant. This happened several times.
With no meetings or events happening, I turned my focus on our infrastructure. I audited our monthly expenses and trimmed the fat. I attended webinars that were more like support groups.
Our business structure is an S corporation with multiple DBAs. Eventually, I was “laid off” and I took unemployment. It was hard. Our family and friends were generous. My husband kept his restoration business going and I worked our laser engraving business.
Eventually, that first client came back for assistance with virtual programs. It was the BEST email I ever received. We didn’t fold. I took unemployment for only about three months. Clients kept returning. And now, we are turning business away. We didn’t lose hope. A lot of independent planners didn’t make it. But my husband and I, together, with three diverse streams of revenue, made it through. COVID-19 did not defeat us.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My reputation is built on delivering what I say I will deliver. We treat every event with the same level of importance because to that client/business owner, it is. From start to finish, we provide the contracted service in time and within budget (allowing for scope change, etc.) I spend time within my profession attending conferences and workshops. I serve on committees when asked and have even presented to my peers a few times. Being reliable, transparent and approachable is paramount and a mainstay of our business philosophy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johnsonmeetings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejohnsonmeetingsgroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJohnsonMeetingsGroup
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-johnson-meetings-group/?viewAsMember=true
- Other: Personal Linked-In page, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbeamjohnson/
Image Credits
@OpenWaterCommunications @TeriSaylor @IWPPhotography