Bryn Johnson: Reflections of a Brilliance-Based Businesswoman

Today you’re in for an extra-special treat, meeting the wonderful Bryn Johnson.  Bryn and I were college classmates, and over the years our lives have taken such similar paths that it never ceases to amaze us.  Here’s how she’s evolved from corporate gal to entrepreneur extraordinaire.

Briefly, what are the highlights of your career story?

I was a corporate galthrough and through.  Spent 20 years in corporate life after college beforegetting the “bug” to start my own business.  That little whisper got louderand louder, telling me to go out there and be my own brand instead ofdoing an amazing job of representing someone else’s.

Looking back,corporate life was my warm-up to being an entrepreneur.  Whether I was running acollege recruiting/management training program, building a national mentoringprogram, creating a company employment brand, leveraging technology to become amaverick in the recruitment space, consulting with the Fortune 100, runningmulti-million dollar projects or leading teams of remarkable individuals, I wasdefining myself as an entrepreneur.  In fact, looking back at my time atpowerhouses such as Monster and MetLife, I realize that most of the initiativesI led were “start-up” in nature.   Forgingnew ground.  Bringing new concepts to an audience.  No wonder I loved it so much!

As best as you understand it, what are you here to do?  Who are you here to serve?  What difference do you make for your clients?

Well isn’t that a big question! In essence, I make seemingly complicated and overwhelming businessissues simple for entrepreneurs and small businesses using all those corporatesecrets I learned. Those secrets are instrumental in helping build a strategy,a calendar and a plan for a project. Basically, I think in layers. I see newways for clients to engage with their current audience while incorporating newmethods on and off-line for drawing in different audience groups and weaving itall together. Layer upon layer.  My goal is to take it from overwhelming to fun!

How do you define “success” for yourself?

This is tricky becauseI can be very tough on myself. My expectations are high. Therefore, I havebegun celebrating my “wins” and my “little victories” every day. Writing themdown on a post-it note. This method really helps me stay in the day and notlive a year in the future in fear that my personal and professional goals willnot be met. Certainly I have those personal and professional goals noted,calendared and charted serving as guideposts in my business. But there issomething so rich and satisfying to know that today’s accomplishments includedfollowing through on a project I said I would finish today, calling andconnecting with someone I have been thinking about, taking time for self-careand signing a new client, for example. Keeping it simple by celebrating dailysuccesses.  (Wrote a post about this very topic: http://brynjohnson.wordpress.com/2011/07/17/celebrate-one-post-it-note-a-day/)

What changes have you made or experienced in your life and business that have enabled you to experience more ease?

Building a team tosupport me was the best decision I made this year. Sure it is risky and scaryand a huge leap financially, but the results have been astounding. Each week,my remarkable Chief of Staff peels more and more away from me and buildssystems around our team processes so we can repeat the activity over and overagain. Before my team, it was all in my head! Not a great idea.

Go figure- I do not haveto do everything myself in my business. Intellectually, I knew that. What isamazing to me is how challenging I tried to make it for myself. How tightly Iheld on to things that my personal assistant, sr. technical manager, bookkeeperand  team of researchers and virtualassistants can not only handle- but allows them to bring their brilliance intothe world!

What would you love your next breakthrough to be?

Over the past year and a half, I have been on a personal health journey. I have placed a considerableamount of focus both the internal chemistry of my body and its physicalsize–course-correcting decades of incorrect information with the help of alife-changing health coach. Losing approximately 60 pounds feels amazing butthere is still so much more work to go- deeper and requiring much more of myfocus and stamina. Slow and steady wins the race on this one and I amcommitted. The challenge for me is making it a priority in my life ABOVE mybusiness. Without my health, I will have no business. That is am importantpoint for me to remember. Breaking through these last limiting beliefs holdingme back will be incredible!

What brings you joy?

New York City. Thesounds and view of the park and Cathedral St. John the Divine outside myManhattan window.  Truly connecting withpeople which I must do each and every day. My three cats better known as “theboys” (and really all animals- I would rescue them all if I had room), Mynieces and the lens by which they look at the world. The opportunity to cry aboutsomething moving and beautiful. Losing myself in a book. Singing out loud in myapartment. Post-it notes and Sharpies. A good night’s sleep. A great cup ofcoffee.

As a successful Brilliance-Based Businesswoman, what’s the best piece of advice you have for other aspiring and active Brilliance-Based Businesswomen out there?

Trust your instincts.You already know. Stop “polling people” and make the decision.

What’s the best way for others to learn more about what you do?

Visit my website http://www.brynjohnson.com where you can download a content-rich audio, Three Simple Tactics to Plan for Maximum Results in YourBusiness.  Also, you can connect with me on Facebook or on Twitter.

1 Comment

  1. brynjohnson
    brynjohnson on August 14, 2011 at 1:51 am

    Just an honor to be featured here… and what fun and thought-provoking questions about my business