Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnna Wilks.
Johnna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
You could say that I ‘stumbled’ my way into the world of Digital Marketing & Brand Consulting. I’ve always been passionate about mental health, and my formal education is in Psychology & Child Development. After taking a ‘break’ (or so I thought) post-undergrad to get some professional work experience under my belt prior to furthering my education, I found myself in a communications role and was soon becoming more and more intrigued by the world of Marketing & Communications. So much so, that I ended up pursuing the career full-time, and within two years of graduating, had become the Director of Marketing & Communications for a Regional Chamber of Commerce in Florida.
Eventually, I moved to Texas to help develop the brands and marketing strategies of some family businesses, and there, I learned many of the ins and outs of not only developing a brand but running a successful small business. It was also here that I launched my blog, The Hidden Promise, using it as an avenue to share my personal journey, and encourage others who struggled in areas like purpose, relationships, shame, and faith. I guess you could say that this is where my initial passion for mental health came back into play; just in a different manner than I’d originally thought.
Being the daughter of an entrepreneur, I always had the drive and ambition to one-day spearhead my own company, and last year that became a reality as I launched Be the Message, LLC (although if I’m being honest, I felt like I didn’t have a clue what I was actually doing when I launched). Today, I specialize in brand consulting, web design, and developing digital content for clients that range from entrepreneurs and small businesses to corporations.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A quote that I love when it comes to business is “The road to success is always under construction”. On this journey, I’m constantly learning, reflecting, and evolving as a creator and as a businesswoman, which as you might imagine, has come with its fair share of struggles. I think one of the biggest struggles for me has been shifting my perspective to remember that its ok to fall and to fail, as long as I rise back up and use each failure as a lesson to refine and keep pushing forward. I’ve also learned that one of the most important keys to success is to be able to take the criticism that comes along with running a business, without being defeated by it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Be the Message, LLC story. Tell us more about the business.
I own a digital marketing agency called Be the Message, where I focus on crafting custom, client-centric branding/marketing strategies designed to take the client’s vision to the next level. My services include brand consulting, web design, content curation, graphic design, copywriting, and creating digital and print collateral. I am most proud of the growth that’s taken place since launching the company almost exactly one year ago. The first year has been so full of new challenges as well as learning opportunities, and I’m thankful to be working with such wonderful clients, many that have since become friends. I think that’s what sets BTM apart – our focus is specific to each client, and we value establishing strong relationships built on quality service and excellent deliverables. We are committed to taking the time to get to know each client and understand their needs in a way that I think is lacking in the industry.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I feel extremely blessed to live the life that I do. My parents showed me from a very early age what it means to persevere despite obstacles, what faith-in-action looks like, and the undeniable power of grit. I think these principles have shaped the way I approach life, as well as the way I approach business. I believe both the good and the bad things that have happened in my life have happened not to me, but for me, and for that, I am grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: johnnanichelle.com
- Email: heyjohnnanichelle@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnanichelle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnnaNichelle/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnnanichelle
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