Self-Made Women: Lisa Johnson On How She Started With Very Little and Created A Million Dollar Business
An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
You’ll never feel ready to start your business, and this fear will continue every time you come to make the next big decision. Have faith in yourself, and embrace the challenges. As I often say, if I’d taken a look before I leapt every time I’d still be in the same place where I started!
Some people were born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouth. Even then, becoming a millionaire is still quite an accomplishment. But people who start from nothing, and especially women who start from nothing, who make it to the top to become millionaires, despite the pay inequalities based on gender, the confidence gap, with nothing but grit, hustle, resilience, and “stick-to-itness”, are on a whole new level. We want to share those stories and inspire other women. In this interview series, we’re talking to “Self-Made” women leaders who started with nothing (i.e. started without investors or trust fund or capital or even people believing in them) and went on to create a million dollar business.
As a part of our series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Johnson.
Lisa Johnson is a multi-seven-figure Global Business Strategist who makes 90% of her money through passive or semi-passive income streams. Her business made over £10m in the first five years.
After a tough childhood spent in social housing, Lisa went on to have successful careers in law, banking and the entertainment industry. She took herself from £30,000 in debt to a successful entrepreneur making millions and helping thousands of people in just five years.
Lisa has over 50,000 followers across social media and a number one business podcast, Making Money Online which has been listened to across 119 countries and has over 150,000 downloads to date.
Lisa is a huge believer that everyone can become a success no matter their background, is an ambassador for the charity Bullies Out and is known for her anti-bullying campaigning online.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory” and how you grew up?
I grew up in social housing in Lincolnshire, being brought up by my dad after my parents divorced when I was 11. Money was tight, I was the daughter of an immigrant (my dad is from Malta) and I was not a confident child. These three things combined to place a target on my back for bullies at school.
This only worsened when I was awarded a scholarship to the private school, finally resulting in a knife to my throat and a move to another school where the bullying continued.
Unsurprisingly, I did not develop into a confident young woman, and was married at 17 in an attempt to make a new start.
The marriage was short lived, leaving me to stop, re-assess, and finally take control of my life. I moved to London, worked my way through a variety of jobs before working as a banker in the city, earning big bucks and working stupid hours.
The arrival of my twin sons hit me with a sledgehammer of realism and I knew immediately that I could not sustain this lifestyle and be a mother. So I got a job close to home with normal hours and stayed there for two years until I became bored an needed a new challenge!
So, I started my first business — as a wedding planner. I liked parties and organising things, so it seemed like a good idea. It also meant I had to work every weekend, which wasn’t such a good idea, but it did teach me loads about business. As my wedding planning peers saw me constantly fully booked, they started to ask me how I’d done it.
I’d advise them on strategy and ideal client and everything else I’d learnt, and then they too started to see great results.
It didn’t take me long to realise that I shouldn’t be giving this information away for free and that was the birth of my coaching business.
Five years later I make multi 6 figures annually, and with a product launch in the middle of a pandemic I made over £2m.
Growing up, what were your early experiences and perspectives about money? Or we could say, what was the “money consciousness” in which you were raised? Can you please give an example of what you mean?
I have had to work very hard over the last five years or so to reframe my money mindset. In my world as a kid, on my council estate with my hardworking but not overly ambitious family around me, money was what other people had. You made do and you were grateful for what you got.
I can clearly remember one time when I was probably 8 or 9, and a really lovely car came driving down our street. I think I was a Porsche.
Almost in unison, all my family said something like “Look at that flash so and so.”
And this mindset still prevails in so many people today. Especially in the UK where acknowledging you have done well and allowing yourself nice things is seen as vulgar.
Awesome! Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s talk about what you are doing now, and how you achieved the success that you currently enjoy. Can you tell our readers about the business you’ve created?
I’m a business strategist who helps ambitious people create passive and semi-passive income streams.
I specialise in teaching how to create online courses and memberships, moving away from the one to one model where time is limited, to the One to Many model.
I share my knowledge and experience to help entrepreneurs create business models that tick the boxes for creating a ton of income and impact, without having to spend their lives at their laptops.
What was your vision when you started this business? What’s the WHY behind the work that you do? (Please share a story about this if you can.)
I have to be honest, until recently I would have said simply “To make lots of money”. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this ethos , and it is still a key driver for me. I am the main bread winner, and I want more than anything to give my children a chance to experience things that will make them into more rounded adults.
But I was at a retreat recently where the whole group was talking about their “Why.” I did my usual thing an almost rolled my eyes. My why will never a grand, humanitarian, philanthropic gesture. But it did make me think. And I realised that my why is this. I want to help people who want to change the world to change the world!
That is how I make my mark.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
It’s hard to share “the most interesting” story, as every day is different, but one that springs to mind is based around perception, naivete, and the prevalence of smoke and mirrors in my industry.
Early on in the development of my business, I invested in a coach. This person was well known and very successful. They seemed to have all the knowledge that would help me get there too. I spent a lot, and I mean a lot, of money coaching with them.
To cut to the chase, they gave me nothing, they had no interest in me and their only passion was money. No ethics. No integrity. When I raised my dissatisfaction with them, I was told that I would never become anything in the industry because they would make it their mission to ensure everyone they knew would never work with me.
Suffice to say I proved them wrong, but this early encounter really paved the way for me in running my business in a way that is ethical above everything — including profit.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
It’s difficult to pinpoint one specific example. There have been plenty of laughs along the way, but I guess one that that sticks in the mind, and highlights the “do your research” mantra was when I first launched my own membership, it was called Get Sh*t Done, (Or GSD for short.)
What I hadn’t realised was that GSD is also the abbreviation for German Shepherd Dogs… I therefore was somewhat taken aback when I had hundred of people clicking into my group and then registering their sincere disappointment that they couldn’t find a single dog on my membership!
We’d love to explore the traits that help you achieve your success. What were the mindset obstacles that you had to overcome in order to reach the place of earning a million dollars? Can you tell us what you did to overcome them?
I mentioned money mindset earlier and this was a massive one, but there were many more. Often the phrase “imposter syndrome” is used, but I don’t subscribe to this. It is usually “They’ve been doing it longer than me so they know more than I do” syndrome.
Once you reframe it as this and realise that your knowledge is not common knowledge you can be confident in your ability.
Other traits that have helped me are stubbornness, self deprecation, a willingness to learn, enthusiasm, self belief and honesty.
What were the external obstacles that you had to overcome in reaching these milestones? And how specifically did you overcome them? (Please share a story or example.)
Was there ever a point where you wanted to give up on your journey to creating a million dollar business? How did you work through that panic point? Please share a story.
There have been plenty! The encounter with the coach being one. I would say that most are centred around the fact as an online business, being visible is massively important I my success.
However, what this also does, is open the door for trolls to attack me, not only my business, but my personal life and my appearance. This has happened on numerous occasions, and to begin with it really hurt me.
However, I was taught some excellent advice, which is simply this.
People will only target you out of jealousy. No one who is more successful than you will have the time, or the inclination, to be negative towards you.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I would have to say my husband Sam. We are that unusual combination that is able to work to together and still maintain a balanced, happy and fun filled relationship! He has been there with me for nearly ten years now, and it’s no coincidence that my life started to drastically change for the better the minute he walked into it.
Being a team of two makes none of it as scary as it could be.
What do you think is the greatest challenge for women and creating wealth/abundance? What advice would you have for someone that is feeling blocked by that obstacle?
I feel the greatest challenge is still the ingrained, patriarchal attitude of so many people, not just in the business world, but in society in general.
So often at a restaurant the bill is given to my husband without asking. (NB — this means they do not get a tip!) When I have applied for a mortgage, my husband’s name is used at the main applicant, despite him being employed by me!
Do not be scared of sharing your successes, and always be a cheerleader for other women who are doing well. Success is not like pizza, it does not run out! Being supportive of someone else has no effect on your own success.
And my advice? Be louder, be more visible, be more driven, be more confident — be more you!
Great! Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)
- You’ll never feel ready to start your business, and this fear will continue every time you come to make the next big decision. Have faith in yourself, and embrace the challenges. As I often say, if I’d taken a look before I leapt every time I’d still be in the same place where I started!
- Growing an audience is the most important factor in building a successful online business. If someone tells you otherwise, they’re lying! Prioritise this over everything else.
- Your mindset for hitting 6 figures will not get you to 7 figures. Grow and learn. Invest in yourself. Become a better leader. Only by developing yourself can you develop and grow your business.
- There will be people who don’t like you whatever you do. Never forget this. They are not your people. They are not your ideal client. Let them say what they want to say and be safe in the knowledge that by being yourself, you will attract those clients that you resonate with.
- You will not remember every big milestone. It’s the little steps in between that will stay with you, so breathe, keep going, and enjoy the journey.
We are sure that you are not done. What comes next? What’s your next big goal and why? What plan have you put in place to achieve it? Why is it a stretch for you? What will achieving it represent for you and for others?
Next for me is the publication of my first book “Make Money Online” which is released on the 19th January 2023 and is available for pre order now.
My next big goal is not a financial one. I have learnt that constantly aspiring to move from 6 to 7 figures, and then to multi 7 figures and so on is missing the point.
I want to see my business continue to grow, to see it impact on the lives of millions of entrepreneurs around the world and to be running in an ethical and efficient manner, meaning I have more time to do what is most important — spending time with my family.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Website : www.lisajohnson.com
Instagram : https://instagram.com/lisajohnsonstrategist
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/lisajohnsonstrategist/
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us and our readers. We know that it will make a tremendous difference and impact thousands of lives. We are excited to connect further and we wish you so much joy in your next success.
Self-Made Women: Lisa Johnson On How She Started With Very Little and Created A Million Dollar… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.