We had the good fortune of connecting with Janae Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janae, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?

You never know for certain if things will end the way you planned. But to avoid giving up on everything when something begins to be too stressful or not going as planned, I start to remind myself that if I was to quit now at this moment I will never learn what happens if I keep striving towards a goal. If I give up now I know for a fact how it ends right where it stands as is-if keep pushing I have a better chance of a positive outcome. When it is not easy coming, we tend to tense up or give up, but that is the hardest part of the test. In life and with business you just have to push through if you want something new and true. As my great granddaddy would to say, keep the faith baby! In other words, keep believing and achieving.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

The Majority of millionaires and billionaires of the world since the beginning did not just stick to one business venture, they allowed one business adventure to fuel many more, by having stayed consistent, learning from many failures, pushing through all the setbacks. I like to go by that model, listen to this. I became a business owner in the midst of the pandemic April 2020, when I created my non-profit for bullied youth and to build children(s) self-esteem known as Bully Proof Limited (bullyprooflimited.org). After being fired from a law firm due to a pandemic, with half the world shut down I could not quickly find another job. Which was sort of a good thing, it made me think about all the dreams I had been sitting on, ideas, and talents. Pandemic changed my outlook on almost everything as it did for the majority of the world. I hosted a few successful events over that summer for families and youth. I do what I can for the community in efforts to lift self-esteem and create safe avenues for youth. Taking that one step, then forced me to take further steps to create an LLC, after that a light bulb clicked.

I pondered on what else I wanted to do, I remembered how much I love photos, smiling, art, creativity etc. which made me invest in a Canon camera, and I was then declared a freelance photographer after taking a few online courses, advertised and actually received several bookings in the matter of like a month or so it was going steady, but I wanted more. I started back working for another Attorney as the end of 2020 came in, but all day every day I sat at that job lusting after my own success, thinking of a master plan as they say. I fell off a bit with my photography, almost like I stopped believing in self just for a check every two weeks. I knew this was not it so that is why April 2021 I said to myself, you love planning, organizing things, groups of people, partying, and you have the personality. The lightbulb clicked like an Event Planner. They love going out, shopping and partying in this city so why not. I began to plan, locked the venue, created my own fliers, advertisements on different channels such as event-brite, I was face to face in the streets pushing my brand/event. My phone was blowing up, and I knew then this was an avenue for me I must embark on. I decided on doing pop up shops, I am always looking to help others within my business while on my way to success. Therefore, it was almost perfect and great timing to have minority business owners come out for a small fee and sell their brand, network with like minded individuals. Plus a great opportunity for me to build connections with other small business owners.  I saw a quick profit. The first pop up shop was a huge success and literally 3 days before the event I was wrongfully fired from a law firm so it was like my grind got even more sharper. It was then I vowed to never allow that to happen again. Fast forward I have since had about 7 pop up shops all across Atlanta, and College Park areas. I have people fly in and even drive in from other states to participate. I also recently added 360 photo booth rental to my event planning platform, added party equipment supplies, decor services etc. My photography and 360 company name is Rarebreed Photography 360. My photography business has picked back up, we have revamped. We are always ready to capture photos and spice up parties with the hottest party trend-the 360 photo booth. I created and designed my own websites, check out rarebreedphoto.com and book with us or find us on booksy, google, bing, facebook, and instagram. I have intertwined all my many businesses into a one stop shop projecting to leave a legacy for my loved ones. What sets me apart from the rest is that I am fully involved with all my business affairs, I am an owner who knows what is going on at all times. I am genuine, understanding, and have such good energy it’s contagious. I only aim to exceed expectations, making one feel good with pictures I capture, bringing fun and memorable experiences to your events. I do a lot, but my focus is always to be a better me for myself and my brand. I keep my hands in many pots, but if I look inside one I bet you I can tell you every ingredient in the pot I stirred up. In other words I am about my business and well aware of things.

Main goal right now is to take over the 360 photo booth rental scene as it is booming. Looking for sponsors to help open up a community center for youth in the college park area. Also looking for a small venue to host events and rent out to people for event, meetings, photo sessions etc. be on the lookout. It was definitely not easy coming and I am only in the beginning of things. The hardest part toggling all these business adventures and personal lifestyle is really time. It is not nearly enough time in the day to own my own, do the day to day for the many things I have going on. Funding business ideas at first could be costly, but rewarding as saying goes “scared money don’t make no money”. So once I stopped blaming finances on why dreams were not met, I stopped. When investing in the 360 photo booth I really leaped out on faith, because that is costly. But after researching, planning realized it is all worth it, predicted to make 1000 times over what I spent on investments. I learned to trust myself, believe in me and my brand if no one else ever does. Process over the past couple years made me see how one just has to go for it. Time waits for no one to stop with the excuses. You just have to get out here, the Chicago go-getter mentality I was raised with definitely paid off in the end. I am on go mode and don’t want to stop, only reach beyond the top. The main lesson learned in all of the ups and downs, was to believe in myself, you have to motivate you almost anything you believe you can achieve sounds cliche but try it and see how it works for you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to a few historic sites during the day, such as MLK center, or Civil Rights Museum. I look at Atlanta as a historic place when it comes to black history, although not from here I love to show that part to any and all. Like ride them thru Auburn/Edgewood area, Jackson Street. Hit a few eateries like Fins and Feathers, which is one of my spots those jerk eggrolls the truth. I like Mary Macs too remind me of the segregation era the way it set up, I like to see the pictures of famous visitors so would share experience with any visitor. I love taking people to different eateries or lounges. To me Atlanta does not have a broad selection of restaurants I just love. There are a lot of commercial spots here for the fancies, I tend to stick to the original places or a lounge. But seafood spots mostly hit, and few chicken places. I like soul food, so I would take them to Busy Bee’s for a hardy meal. We would probably hit an arcade place for example Main Event, Puttshack, Andrettis or Top Golf. Would visit some tourist attractions like Coca-Cola, etc. Cruise through downtown, and walk through Centennial Park. I would definitely visit Main Street in College Park to eat good and have some drinks. I love the energy and vibe, I love how there are so many black owned establishments on the strip like Virgils, Nouveau, Milk and Honey. You can do brunch, lunch or dinner in this area. Probably go to Louisiana Bistreaux on Virginia Ave, a lounge somewhere on Old National, have to get a taste of the hood. Will hit the strip club scene depending on who visits. Another spot I like for people to try when they visit is Wrap-A-Lot, Mr. Everything or my Caribbean spot Island Vibes on Central Avenue. We would also visit my Greek spot in the buckhead area OPA!. If someone who is not from my hometown comes, I take them to the few spots that remind me of home (Chicago) like Sharks, Redsnapper or Nancy’s Pizza. Of course hit somebody day party in the city. We clearly would be all over the place and gaining weight eating some stuff up mainly, partying it off at night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to give a special Shoutout to my super mom- Larvell, she always has possessed and embarked on her many talents. From being a certified electrician, HVAC installer, designing apparel, to baking cakes and cookies all my life then becoming a licensed caterer etc. You name it she has done it or could do it if attempted. Probably where I get my fearlessness from, and over exceeding trying new things. Another special person who fuels my drive is my aunt Shanta, she truly is my second mom. I love her and all her support, pep talks, calming me when the storm is too heavy, business life stressful she brings me back to it after talking. All my old law firm jobs who fired me or I had to leave from I give a big thanks for fueling this fire in me to want to be a successful relentless entrepreneur, a soon to be self-made billionaire. Huge shoutout to all the vendors who ever reached out to me, especially those who locked in a spot at any of my pop ups/events. Could not do it without you.

I absolutely love listening to Les Brown motivational videos, he gets me going. I idolize one celebrity who keeps her hands in many pots and shares the same horoscope as me, that would be Kandi from Xscape. Her business-like mindset and the go getter in here push me further. Make me believe it could happen for me. She has so many different businesses, establishments, talents, although not there yet a lot of people compare me to her drive. Because often I hear “girl you do everything huh?” Yes and no, I do what I believe in, I do what I believe will bring me success, me and others joy and of course I would love to make bread doing it. Appreciate the support from my guy. The love from strangers and people who I do not know is real and so genuine. Lastly, Shout out to my sisters, few close friends who support whatever I do whenever cheering me on from near and far.

Website: rarebreedphoto.com

Instagram: @janaeplanmyevent @rarebreed360photo @bully_proof1

Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/PopUpShopByJanae/

Yelp: https://usdirectory.com/Rarebreed-360-Photography-Atlanta-GA

Other: https://booksy.com/en-us/769592_rarebreed-360-photo_other_134770_atlanta https://usdirectory.com/Rarebreed-360-Photography-Atlanta-GA bullyprooflimited.org

Image Credits
Janae Johnson (self) Honesti Emmons

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.