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

Hi Kenya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It’s funny because, for years, I swore I wasn’t going to be an entrepreneur. Growing up, I saw my mom as a business owner for almost all of my life and I really got a full glimpse of the ups and downs. And the DOWNS made me never ever ever ever ever want to be an entrepreneur. It felt like too much of a risk for me.

There was a time in my life where I reveled in the security of knowing I only really have to work from 9-5 and that every other Friday I’ll get my check for doing that. But something stirred up in me that created a fear bigger than financial insecurity: living an unfulfilling life. That seemed like a way worse reality than being broke. So my thought process shifted from being afraid of not being able to survive to being afraid of never actually thriving.

I strongly believe no one should ever feel small so I decided to create a business that made people see how big they are. How important they were at work, even if their manager never said it. How much we need them in society even if no one has ever expressed it. I wanted the workers to have the same confidence and rewards as everyone in the C-Suite. So I had to push past my own fear and doubt to get to that result.

What should our readers know about your business?
Well, my business, Auclare Vision, is a human resource consulting firm focused on making work enjoyable for everyone. I named it Auclare Vision based on the idea that Au-thencity + Au-tonomy + Clar-ity gives us the recipe for our Vision of our lives. This means that the janitor, manager, and CEO all have an enjoyable and satisfying experience at work. At this current moment, we’re not seeing that in most organizations. Workers are tired, undervalued, and overworked. Fundamentally, I believe it is absolutely insane for people to spend 8+ hours a day at a place they hate. So I decided to change it.
The idea came from me essentially disliking a number of jobs I had after college and wanting to see something better in the world. The biggest thing that sets us apart from other firms is our approach. My background is in education, public health, and program management and we incorporate all of those elements into our coaching and consulting.
When we interact with our clients, our first goal is to understand who they are and where they’re coming from so we can create individualized plans for them to educate them along their journey with us. For us, getting a job isn’t or hiring talented people isn’t enough. We help our clients find opportunities that align with their values and lifestyle.
How often do people accept jobs because of a salary increase or new responsibilities that weren’t the right fit for them? Then, they end up miserable and constantly wanting for something else because they didn’t listen to their instincts. My goal is for all of my clients to have clarity about who they are and what they want to accomplish in life. Once we figure that out, I want them to feel confident about doing things that they are good at and that they enjoy. Knowing that you made the right decision, that you are valuable in your workplace, and that you have a choice over your own outcomes gives agency back to the people who need it the most.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to Atlanta, we are getting a hotel room at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Perimeter because the ambiance matters.

Honestly, even before the pandemic, I’m more of a sit and talk kind of girl, so anywhere we would be quiet enough to enjoy each other’s company and have some good food. So we would check out the Beltline and take a nice walk or ride around to see the scenery and have a little conversation. Then we would go to Ponce City Market to grab a bite and maybe look at some shops. The next day, we would HAVE to do brunch. One of my favorite spots is Twisted Soul Cookhouse. Seriously, it’s some of the best food I’ve had in a while. Then we could go to the Georgia Aquarium because I heard they have sharks now, and I absolutely LOVE sharks. In between all of that, we’re going to take a lot of naps and kick it.

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 have to shoutout my mom, Bernadette Harris. She has been such an incredible inspiration on how to carry myself as a woman and entrepreneur. She consistently supports me and shows up for me in ways I could never imagine or fully describe. There have been a number of times where I was ready to quit and she just showed me that either you win or you learn. There are no real losses in life. For that, I am forever indebted. But more importantly, she is truly my best friend. We can talk about everything from business to my relationship to a cute mug I saw at Target. She is hilarious and authentic and I just strive to be like her when I grow up. I also have to shoutout my friends. They always support me, listen to me, and help me get my vision together when it’s a little fuzzy. I appreciate them so much and am constantly in awe that I get to know and love them.

Website: www.auclarevision.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyalsjohnson/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenyalsjohnson/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KenyaLSJohnson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenyalsjohnson
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/auclarevision

Image Credits
Danielle Flowers at Amber Iris Photo

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