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

Taia, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Take the risk.

Yes, you read that right. Take it. Take it scared, take it unapologetically, take it. Why? Because it is exactly what you need to be exactly where you need to be.

As an avid planner and someone who thrives off stability, I completely understand negotiating the pros and cons of decision making. But let me be clear, anyone who has a success story to share, has taken that one risk that propelled them on that road.

I took a risk on me. I bet it all on me. Years ago, I knew that I could not fulfill my true purpose if I did not. The risk of being fulfilled led me to write my memoir, move thousands of miles from home, marry my soulmate, start a business, and begin life coaching.

One decision, one risk, was the catalyst to the life I had always dreamed of. Knowing that faith was good enough, acknowledging that my desires were strong enough, and that my drive was steadfast enough. Taking just one risk, allowed my purpose to be magnified where I can be a “soft place to land” for so many people. For so many women. For so many black women.

I can report, that the calculated risk I decided to take, has left me in complete awe of where my life has traveled. Where I can tell a story, staring me, that I had initially saw only in my wildest dreams.

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.

I have had the pleasure of being a social Justice Change Agent for the past ten years. Obtaining my Masters degree catapulted me into my dream position.

Education, and many years of experience, has allowed me to be sympathetic, understanding, and effective. This has allowed me to provide relevant personal experience, and life changing coaching.

I am proud to have worked with so many unique individuals from so many walks of life. I am most proud of working with black woman and coaching them into their best selves! I am a person who will always have your best interest at heart. I want to be your cheerleader and I will always want you to win!

Life coaching has changed my life, just as much as it has changed my clients lives. I learn something new about myself as I work with my clients and I love that for both of us.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, whats most helpful for succeeding in my field is interpersonal skills. Being able to listen, effectively communicate, and genuinely understand others is extremely important.

People are coming to you to help solve a problem. They want to be happy, fulfilled, successful, valued, and heard. If you are not relatable, no matter how much training or knowledge you have, you will lack success because people will not feel connected to you. It is hard to receive, or give advice, from someone you do not have the luxury of connecting to.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

As a person who thrives on being able to help others, I do not see a world where I would choose another profession. The happiest I am in life, is when I have played a part in someone else’s happiness, purpose, or success.     

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itstairenee
• Linkedin: Taia J

Image Credits
Photos were taken by Andrea Mathis @amathisphotos www.amathisphotography.com