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

Alright, Tamika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

For 20 years I’ve been living life like I was a Superwoman. Being a single parent, going to law school, starting and running my own law firm, volunteering at my daughter’s school, practices, games, recitals, orchestra concerts, 10-year unhealthy relationship, and more – all while acting like everything was great to everyone else.

In reality, though, it wasn’t. I was stressed, my hair started falling out, I couldn’t sleep, and at times I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The cape was too heavy and the whole “strong, independent woman” title had taken its toll on me.
At 40 years old, I had enough! I could see how my unstable relationship negatively impacted my daughter, and she deserved better than that.

I ended my decade-long relationship (for the last time), transformed the way I approached dating and relationships, serendipitously reconnected with my now husband, got married, and had 2 children in my 40s.

But, as I often tell audiences and clients, there will always be storms and disruptions in your life. In addition to being married and having 2 young children, my husband’s father passed which meant that his mother who was in her 90s immediately came to live with us. Three months later, my father passed, leaving my mother alone after being married for over 50 years.

We were in the middle of the pandemic, I was still nursing my youngest son, and again, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

So, I took the cape off. Actually, I put the cape in the incinerator, burned it, and spread the remnants over the ocean. I was done trying to do it all, be there for everyone, work, and find time for myself to rest and pursue my other passions.
I had to find a “Work-Life Balance” that allowed me to find and maintain my own peace and sanity. Establish boundaries and keep them up, even when others try to encroach upon them. Reducing or eliminating stressful things and/or people that contribute to them is the key to finding a healthy work-life balance.

Tamika, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After I burned my Superwoman Cape, I was determined to pursue my other passions, without guilt or sacrificing my mental health. And I did just that, despite being an Attorney, Magazine Publisher, CEO of a Matchmaking Agency, Show Host, Wife, Mother, Daughter, and Friend. I do way more now than I ever have but have way more peace.

I became a Work-Life Balance Strategist to assist other professionals, especially women, particularly high-achieving women, to Burn the Superwoman Cape. All while simultaneously sharing their talents with the world and protecting their peace.

As an Estate Planning Attorney, I assist clients with being proactive with their estate plans, Wills, and Trusts.

As the CEO of Platinum Connections, a matchmaking agency for professionals, we connect clients with other marriage-minded individuals for a better, quality dating experience so they can ultimately be in healthy, long-term relationships.

As the Publisher of “Platinum Magazine,” we feature professionals to share their expertise in relationships, law, business, entrepreneurship, health & wealth with our readers.

The word “we” is important because it takes a team of people, in both our personal and professional lives to be successful and at peace, if that is what you desire.

Now, I share tips and strategies to achieve a healthy “work-life balance” because I repeatedly meet amazing women who struggle in finding peace and balance in their own lives.

I’m excited about doing this type of work because there is nothing better than seeing someone not only realize their full potential but also live in their purposes.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

“The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About it” by Michael E. Gerber stresses the importance of delegating roles and work so you can work on your business as opposed to in your business. That’s the most efficient way to grow your business into a profitable endeavor.

“The 12 Week Year” by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington really helped me to plan, schedule, and set both short-term and long-term goals, in my business and personal life by the quarter, instead of the end of the year like many other businesses tend to do. I also learned how to celebrate those smaller goals, take a break in between quarters, and then do it all again, adjusting where necessary.

Additionally, as part of a Leadership Academy that I participated in with the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), I read “Deep Work” by Cal Newport. While this book was somewhat hard to read in the beginning, by the end, I had a greater appreciation and insight into how distracted most of us are in our daily lives, which results in us being less productive than we should be. I learned how to just disconnect from the world – less cell phone time, including scrolling through articles, playing games, and social media. All of this allows us to better focus on the people in our lives and/or work. After reading this book, I scheduled more time to work on my businesses and disconnect, making me more focused and productive.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Earlier I mentioned having to burn my Superwoman Cape. When we as women demanded to be treated equally, along with that came the notion of having to take on a working role in the workforce in addition to having children, raising them, cooking dinner, performing household chores, etc. Men were accustomed to working, but they had the support of women and wives in many areas of their lives. When women began working, it was in addition to all of the other things that were already doing.

Instead of getting assistance though, we were taught to just do it and not complain about it. So, the strong, independent woman emerged, ultimately resulting in “Superwoman Syndrome,” which was first coined in 1984. “Superwoman Syndrome” is when is trying to do it “all” for others but neglects herself and her own needs, wishes, and desires.

Initially, being a Superwoman was a badge of honor for me. However, I had to unlearn that mindset because I realized that that role and title were a burden. I no longer wanted to do it all and continue to neglect myself and other hobbies and interests for the sake of my children, spouse, partner, parents, friends, co-workers, etc.

That’s why I’m so passionate about women burning the cape because it’s not serving us or our mental health and wellness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tamikamichellejohnson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamikamichelle_johnson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TMJMichelleJohnson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamikamichellejohnson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3uynnqL8ZH3X9TeYM6IN7A

Image Credits
QueVision Photography