We were lucky to catch up with Kenya Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kenya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The idea for Auclare Vision came to me on a company trip. While looking outside the window of my hotel room, I reflected on my career. Three months into my second job after college, something felt off: I was working for an organization I enjoyed. I had coworkers I loved to be around, but the work I was doing did not feel right. It did not feel like me. Naturally, I thought my issue was the job itself, so I found a new one. When the new job made me feel just as misaligned as the first two jobs, I realized it wasn’t the jobs… it was me.

After years of getting good grades and hundreds of hours of internship experience during college, I still hadn’t the slightest clue how to develop and manage a fulfilling career. I just knew how to get a job. When I looked around, all of my friends had the same problem. So I asked myself, “What if it didn’t have to be this way?”

That’s how I dreamt up Auclare Vision. I wanted to revolutionize how students, professionals, and leaders interacted with work. I wanted students to have a pathway to professional fulfillment. I wanted professionals to understand how to develop enjoyable careers, and I wanted organizations to understand how to make work enjoyable for all of their employees.

Since our start, we have been intentional about using career development as a catalyst for personal growth, meaningful impact, and an enriching work-life balance. We are anchored in the belief that work should extend beyond mere productivity.

With our unique, wellness-centered, and purpose-driven approach, we continue to transform the world of work by helping our clients discover their passions, align their values, and make a lasting impact.

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

Absolutely! So, I am Kenya Johnson, a passionate educator, strategist, and founder of Auclare Vision. I attended Howard University, inspired to contribute to change in Washington, D.C. Within the last ten years, I discovered my true calling – transforming lives through career development.

With my knowledge of Health Education and Talent Development, I promote total wellness in both personal and professional lives. My work is centered around making work enjoyable for everyone by helping students, professionals, and leaders prioritize wellness and purpose in their life and career.

Though I recently completed my Master’s in Human Resource Development at Bowie State University, my journey into the talent development industry began right after college. At 22, I found myself managing and leading a cohort of 70 college students. Since then, I have managed multiple teams and projects that have impacted thousands. Each role I have played has led and prepared me to be the dedicated career wellness advocate, inspiring speaker, and lifelong learner that I am.

My philosophy is simple – live life on purpose. This ethos drives me to cultivate a culture where people are valued as much as their output. But it’s not all about work. I also cherish my time with family and friends, creating memories and exploring new worlds through literature, art, and travel. Because I know, it’s not just about creating fulfilling careers; it’s about creating a meaningful life.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As a leader, my approach to maintaining team morale high is a combination of care for each team member and a culture of continuous learning and growth. I am a strong believer in the importance of recognizing individual contributions and celebrating collective achievements. Regular feedback and appreciation not only enhance performance but also boost confidence and morale.

A key element of our work culture at Auclare Vision is the emphasis on personal and professional development. By investing in our team’s learning and growth, we demonstrate to team members that they are valued beyond their immediate output. We identify skill gaps and provide regular professional growth opportunities that ensure that our team members are challenged and engaged.

Open communication is another cornerstone of maintaining team morale. I encourage transparency and honesty, thereby fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and aspirations.

Finally, I believe in the power of team bonding. Whether it’s through team-building activities or simply sharing a meal together, these moments of connection can significantly boost morale and strengthen our team spirit.

Over the years, I have received feedback from former employees expressing their gratitude for the care I showed for their careers. These testimonies validate my belief in the power of a purpose-driven and wellness-centered approach to team management. I am fully committed to nurturing an environment that supports effectiveness, engagement, and high morale.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience is definitely something I am familiar with. Last summer, I was looking forward to a fun dinner with a dear friend when I suddenly felt an unbearable itch crawling over my skin. Within the hour, my skin had turned red and inflamed. Panicked, I rushed home to figure out what was going on.

Days of agony dragged on, with the pain and discomfort showing no signs of easing. The swelling became so unbearable that walking or even standing seemed agonizing. As if the itching and swelling weren’t enough, the aftermath left me even more devastated.

My skin was so severely scarred and discolored that it appeared as if bruises covered my entire body. This drastic change in my appearance shattered my self-esteem.

A few days after this reaction, my friends invited me on an outing. It was my first social outing since the flare-up, and I was terrified. I struggled to find a way to dress “around” my scars in 90-degree weather. They looked so dreadful to me that I considered not leaving the house at all.

Distraught, I called my mom, sobbing, “I can’t leave the house. I don’t have anything to wear that won’t show my scars.” Her soothing voice carried the most important advice she had ever given me: “The scars don’t make you. You make the scars.”

Her words resonated within me, and I realized she was right. The scars had just got here. I had been me long before them, and I would continue to be more long after. So, I got dressed, stepped out of my comfort zone, and enjoyed a lovely time with my friends.

As time went on, I gradually embraced my scars, learning to accept them as part of my journey. On one occasion, while at a spa with a friend, she mentioned that she had chosen her dress because of me. Confused, I asked her to explain.

She said, “I never felt comfortable wearing this dress due to my eczema. But seeing you wear your scars with such courage and grace inspired me to wear this dress today.”

Her words left me humbled and amazed. I thanked her and admitted that it was at that moment that I truly felt pride in my scars. Her honesty reminded me of the power of vulnerability and resilience.

The journey to self-acceptance is often paved with small, seemingly insignificant moments that can profoundly impact our lives and those of others. In my case, I hadn’t planned to become the poster child for hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory scars. I hadn’t even fully accepted my own scars when my friend was inspired by my journey. Yet, the subtle interactions she had witnessed helped her embrace her small part of herself too.

This experience taught me that resilience and the capacity to inspire others don’t always come from grand gestures or impressive accomplishments, but from the little things we do every day. By embracing our unique qualities and imperfections, we can not only grow personally but also leave a lasting impact on the people around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.auclarevision.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AuclareVision/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auclarevision
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auclare-vision/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuclareVision
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AuclareVision

Image Credits
Jendayi Asha Creative