We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Johnny Gibson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Johnny below.

Johnny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success is subjective, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all recipe for it. In my experience, it takes a lot of persistence and trusting your gut. It’s about being patient and understanding that building skills takes time. Think about how Thomas Edison kept experimenting with different ways to make the light bulb work, or how The Beatles spent years playing in small clubs before making it big. Success comes when opportunity meets preparation.

One piece of advice I’d give is to get really good at one thing. Focus on being the best at that, and you’ll find many successes along the way. It’s like how Lewis Hamilton focused intensely on racing, and his dedication made him a legend. So, keep honing your craft, stay persistent, and trust your instincts.

Johnny, 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?

I’m Johnny, a JD/MBA from Birmingham, AL, and my journey from law to tech has been driven by a passion for innovation and solving real-world-problems. After law school, I delved into the tech world, working in banks’ Tech & Data departments. This experience gave me hands-on exposure to big tech projects, where I learned how to build team, validate ideas, and navigate the software development lifecycle.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve had my share of failures, but each one has been a valuable learning experience. Now, I’m excited about my current venture, GOYT, where we’re pioneering a new type of e-commerce social proof. The platform monitors social media for relevant videos from creators and automatically integrates them as social proof on product pages to boost sales.

What sets GOYT apart is our innovative curation engine, that not only provides reviews as social proof, but also how-to videos, educational videos, and contextual videos tailored to your customer interests.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My life has been a series of pivots, constantly iterating as I learn more and refine my goals. I have a life goal of becoming a business venture capitalist and philanthropist, investing in programs that support underserved communities and empower youth. But my journey didn’t start that way. Initially, my ambition was simple—I wanted a lime green Lamborghini.

After graduating from college with a business degree in Birmingham, I believed that pursuing higher education would fast-track me to my dream car. So, I went on to earn an MBA and then a law degree, securing roles in corporate environments. It was in these roles that I met a great mentor, Charlie, who helped me hone in on what I truly wanted in life and how to achieve it.

Interestingly, I’ve had the opportunity to drive Lamborghinis and many other supercars over the years, which helped me scratch that initial itch. The thrill of those experiences was undeniable, but they also made me realize that true fulfillment for me comes from creating something meaningful and impactful.

Since then, my focus has shifted. I’ve been dedicated to building a business that aligns with my deeper goals. Each step of this journey has been a pivot—learning, adapting, and getting closer to my vision of supporting and empowering others while growing as an entrepreneur. This evolution has taught me that while material goals can motivate us initially, it’s our deeper aspirations and the impact we can make on the world that truly define our success.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that being smart and naturally good at tasks would be enough to succeed as an entrepreneur. Throughout my life, I was told I was smart and excelled at thinking through and executing tasks. However, when I started my entrepreneurial journey, I was quickly humbled. Unlike structured environments, entrepreneurship throws you into the unknown, where there’s no clear roadmap for what to do or focus on.

I realized that I had underestimated the vast amount of product development and marketing/GTM strategy experience needed to succeed in entrepreneurship. It wasn’t enough to rely on my natural abilities; I had to acquire new skills, learn from failures, and adapt continuously. This experience taught me the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and being open to seeking help and advice from those more experienced.

One pivotal moment was when a project I was passionate about didn’t take off as expected. I had assumed that my enthusiasm and intelligence would carry it through. Instead, I faced numerous challenges that I wasn’t prepared for. This experience was a wake-up call, showing me that success in entrepreneurship requires more than just talent—it demands perseverance, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt and grow.

Unlearning this lesson has made me a better entrepreneur. I now approach new ventures with a mindset of learning and growth, seeking out knowledge and advice, and understanding that every failure is an opportunity to improve and get closer to success.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://goyt.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-gibson-jd-mba-45b7342b/