We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Johnny Wokhart a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Johnny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I believe the risk of doing anything uncomfortable is the biggest thing that keeps individuals from chasing their dreams and reaching their unlimited potential. I was born and raised in San Diego, my parents had split when I was young so all I’ve ever seen is their hustle to make life work for them – my pops was an immigrant from Mexico so his upbringing really pushed him to be creative with how he got money from his mechanical skills to artistic abilities I was able to see how to put it together but he was young and dumb at one point in life and found himself immersed in the so-cal gang culture back in the 90s which caught up to him in 2010. My mom had me at the age of 16, let that sink in – I never really understood the significance of that until I became of age – growing up my mom and I never saw eye to eye and that’s because she was still a kid, learning how to make sense of her dreams, social life and taking care of a little boy. My mom was young so her hustle looked far different compared to my dad’s way of hustling but nonetheless, she was making plays and taking the risk that came with it. I never really understood how men had it easier in a professional setting until I saw my mom take the risk she had to do in order to put food on the table.

My whole life I’d seen the risk both my parents faced in creating opportunity for myself but in 2010 life changed and my dad would be in prison for the next 14yrs (He is set to release this year in September) – my mom never had the time nor the money to bless me with stuff you need as a growing teen so my teenage hustle was from breeding pit bulls, selling designs and clothes, to flipping packs I was really outside trying to get money while still doing good in school and playing sports. I will also say I had a good support system of friends and family who understood the mental aspects with the risk I was taking in my life.

In most cases, no one ever really leaves san diego, it’s beautiful. I had to get out of there if I wanted to make a change in my life. I was enrolled in community college and set to attend san diego state but I wasn’t focused – it was super easy to get a text from the homies and ditch whatever I was doing to go have fun. My mom gave me an ultimatum at 18 and basically let me know I was getting kicked out for my own good, told me she’d been in contact with my uncle who lived in Oregon at the time and I had a fresh start out there if I wanted it. So I took it – Looking back at it now, at 18 I chose to leave everything behind and go create opportunities in a place where kids like me aren’t supposed to be – I had to restart college because none of my credits transferred over so I lost a year academically but grew spiritually and learned a lot about myself. I ended up enrolling into a program through a community college that would send me staright to oregon state university after two years so from 2018-2021 I was working 40 hour weeks paying for my costs of living, and going to school

You don’t think about it but one of the risks you take when you leave it all behind is the feeling of connection – I had to learn how to be comfortable with being alone and having no one really to connect with or share my thoughts with. So not going to lie there were times I almost lost the battle to my demons but the will to be great and create opportunities to change my life kept me alive and fighting (was diagnosed bipolar 1 at age 15)

As college was nearing an end, I passed up on a 80k year in order to live life the way I wanted – so I ended up investing in myself and partnered up with a mentor of mine and went full fledge into branding and marketing consulting through my manufacturing company.

By societal expectations, im supposed to be a gang banger, im supposed to be locked up, Im supposed to not be where im at and I love it because theres thousands of kids just like me and I want to show them its possible. I still have ways to go as I am only 24 but the story is just getting started. The day I stop chasing my dream is the day I lose my soul – were only promised a death so everyday is a day to be great. If you have a dream, get up and go after it I promise itll be worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Im johnny wokhart, 24 year old marketing and branding consultant! I was born and raised in san diego california, I am the oldest of 3 and I consider myself a creative with a business forward mindset.

I got into the screen printing game at the beginning of 2019 but I’d been designing and making clothes since I was 13 – so ive always wanted to run a brand, do a runway show, and make cool shit everyday. I started in printing in my room burning screens in my closet and washing them out in my bath tub so I had a formula down for myself. Homies would ask me to make them some merch for the events we’d put together so it kind of just came naturally and then my mentor offered me a way to partner into a manufacturing business so i did that in 2021 after college. I do a lot of printing for the pac-12 and other big brands.

We focus on being a brand or businesses one-stop shop when it comes to branding and marketing services because there is no reason you have to travel 20 different spots to get your paper goods, vinyl, screen print, embroidery, promo items so we make sure we do them all in-house as well as using our strategic global partners for some projects.

One of my biggest focuses when working with anybody is helping them grow by making smart investments for brands and businesses. Some people will come to me with big ideas but have limited budgets so I love finding ways how I can help them be happy with their investments, Some clients have big budgets and limited ideas – so its all about learning your vision, what your goal for your project, Target market and audience, and really formulating something special.

I’d say I’m most proud of being in a position to help individuals create a better tomorrow for their motion as well as empowering young creatives to dream big. I also am proud of my team as without them I am nothing so all credit goes to where its due.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I started building my social media presence, one of the most crucial steps was to research and find other people who were doing similar work or had similar interests. I closely observed how they marketed themselves and studied what they did well. By analyzing their strategies and techniques, I was able to identify effective approaches that resonated with their audience.

However, it’s important to note that merely imitating others won’t guarantee success. To stand out and make a unique impression, I focused on incorporating my own personality and personal brand into my content. I combined the best practices I observed with my own creative ideas and style, which helped me create a distinct identity on social media.

Another important aspect of building an audience is not overwhelming the consumer by constantly trying to sell to them. Instead, I aimed to create a community-like atmosphere where followers felt involved and engaged in my growth. I achieved this by regularly posting content that provided value, whether it was educational, entertaining, or inspiring. By sharing valuable content consistently, I built trust and credibility with my audience, which, in turn, led to increased engagement and a growing follower base.

Additionally, I actively encouraged interaction and participation from my audience. I responded to comments, asked thought-provoking questions, and organized contests or challenges that encouraged user-generated content. By involving my followers in the conversation and making them feel like valued members of the community, I fostered a sense of belonging and loyalty.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to invest time in understanding your target audience and identifying key influencers or competitors in your niche. Analyze their strategies and take note of what works well for them, but remember to infuse your own unique voice and personality into your content. Focus on providing value to your audience rather than constantly pushing for sales. Engage with your followers, foster a sense of community, and make them feel like active participants in your journey.

Lastly, be consistent in your efforts and patient with the process. Building a loyal and engaged audience takes time and dedication. Stay authentic, adapt your strategies based on audience feedback, and always strive to improve. Social media is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends and adapt your approach accordingly.

By following these principles, I was able to build a strong and engaged audience on social media, and I believe these strategies can help others do the same.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

First and foremost, setting clear expectations with clients or partners is crucial. When working with anyone, I make it a point to have open and honest communication about what they can expect from me and my services. By clearly defining goals, timelines, and deliverables upfront, I ensure that there are no misunderstandings or false expectations. This helps establish trust and demonstrates my commitment to professionalism.

Next, I strongly believe in delivering on my promises. If I commit to doing something, whether it’s delivering a certain outcome, meeting a deadline, or providing specific results, I make sure it happens. Consistently following through on commitments builds credibility and demonstrates reliability. By consistently delivering on promises, I have been able to build trust with clients and establish a reputation for being dependable.

Creating an overall good experience is another important aspect of building a reputation. I prioritize client satisfaction by focusing on delivering exceptional customer service and providing a positive experience throughout the entire engagement. This includes being responsive, proactive, and attentive to their needs and concerns. I strive to make every interaction with clients or partners pleasant, professional, and memorable, ensuring they have a positive perception of my services.

Maintaining quality control is paramount to building a strong reputation within the market. I have a strict commitment to maintaining high standards of quality in all aspects of my work. This includes consistently delivering top-notch content, adhering to industry best practices, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in social media. By ensuring that my work is of the highest quality, I have been able to establish myself as a trusted expert in my field.

Contact Info:

• Website: bornbadofficial.com, corvalliscustom.com, athletezone.com
• Instagram: @johnnywokhart, @Thewokharts, @corvalliscustom, @athletezonestore
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-barba-a879a9122/
• Youtube: johnny wokhart