We recently connected with Keela Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Keela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?
I definitely feel that I have experienced a “diamond in the rough” when it comes to having an amazing boss. Lindsey (Ryan & Rose) has always been so selfless and giving when it comes to her employees. She loves God, and you can feel it and see it in everything that she does. She gives so many gifts and surprises randomly throughout the year JUST BECAUSE. And truly, amazing gifts. Last year she gave away a car to a new mom, gave away Disney trips, and so much more – and those gifts were to customers! She has been an amazing woman to look up to not only spiritually but also in the business world. She has a thriving business that she continues to give all the Glory to God, donates a portion of everything she gets, and just loves on her employees so very well. I hope that if my business ever gets to the point of having employees, I take what I’ve learned from her and love my employees so very well.
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 everyone! My name is Keela and I am a Nashville Native living in Memphis. I graduated from The University of Memphis in 2013 with a B.A. in Sports Psychology. I was not 100% sold on if I wanted to go back for my Masters, so I decided to work a 9-5 job till I could figure out what I wanted to do. During that time, I got married and shortly after became pregnant with our first child. Once I was pregnant, I knew more than anything that I wanted to stay home with him. Thankfully, I was able to do just that! I also knew the importance of making sure I had an “outlet” – something that I could do for me that would refuel me, while pouring my life into my child. Through trial and error, I landed on vinyl. I started pressing shirts, making wood signs with vinyl and paint, and coffee mugs (which were my biggest reasons why I chose vinyl). I had fallen in love with coffee. I never cared for it before kids, but it was a necessity for functioning after my firstborn. Coffee mugs were my new obsession and I loved the fact that I could create my own! After realizing the extra care it took to have vinyl mugs (hand wash only, peels, etc.), I Googled all the ways to create dishwasher safe coffee mugs. There, I was met with a plethora of answers, but ended up deciding on Sublimation. Sublimation is the art of permanent ink activating and adhering under high temperatures. I first loved sublimation for the fact that I could create dishwasher + microwavable safe coffee mugs, but I soon fell more in love with it over all the many different things I could create! I started my business in 2016 (was KJ Impressions) when my firstborn was just 4 months old. I have learned so many different things over that time, like… what products I truly love creating and others, not so much. I have also learned a ton about myself over the years! I know what I enjoy in businesses and I try to replicate that through my customer service and unique products. Good Customer Service to me is one of the most important things you can have in a business. You could sell the most amazing, unique pieces ever, but if your customer service is horrible, you are guaranteed to lose business. Kindness always wins in my book. I strive to give every person an amazing experience.
I currently sell coffee mugs (shocker), tumblers, keychains, kitchen hand towels, lumbar and square pillows, dry erase/activity boards, cutting boards and more!
I changed my business name to ‘Chasing Wild Arrows’ back in September of 2021 and that 1000% describes my life. My 3 boys are my wild arrows that I’m constantly chasing daily and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I think being transparent and kind has been a huge help when it comes to having a positive reputation and repeat customers. I have seen many businesses that sell amazing product, but their attitudes towards their customers were less than amazing. Word of mouth – spreads like wildfire. You want what is spread about you and your business to be good! That starts and ends with great customer service! Obviously, you have to have good product, but who you are and how you treat people means more to them than the actual item they are getting. If I mess up on something or an item is going to delayed for any reason, owning the mistake and being transparent with them goes miles! Be truthful, be kind, and watch your business bloom.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
This short and sweet story – the start of Chasing Wild Arrows – is very near to my heart. My mom, my best friend, loaned me the money to start my business. She saw something in me, in the midst of being a new mom and wanting to do something on the side for myself, and she believed in me. She let me pay her back little by little and I truly believe I still would not have started my business if it wasn’t for her.
Thank you, mom!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chasingwildarrows.com
- Instagram: @chasingwildarrows
- Facebook: chasingwildarrows
Image Credits
Dani Brewer – Dani Brewer Photos