Meet Tytianna Johnson | UX/UI Design Architect

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

Hi Tytianna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

One particular phrase comes to mind as I ponder on the thought process I had back in 2019 when App Strategy was founded – “Answering the calling on my life.” This phrase is ultimately what shaped my business formation and the successful entrepreneur that I am today.

Dating back to 2017 during my undergraduate career at the illustrious Spelman College, God had already given me signs and confirmation on several occasions that I was meant to embark upon the journey of entrepreneurship. However, because the title itself and the responsibilities that came with this role seemed so demanding I assured myself that it was too much for me and thus, was not my calling. From that point on, I cancelled the notion that such lifestyle/career route was for me. Yet, it wasn’t until I entered into the IT field as a UX/UI Design Architect where I began to see a shift in my perspective. What I assumed to be too complex for me to fulfill was in actuality my calling. I went on to spend three years in a career field where I proceeded to “play small” in my role because it seemed safe, and eventually I started receiving confirmation after confirmation that my calling was far from small. While moments of frustration at my day job continued to increase, I was also simultaneously developing the necessary skills to lead my own business…though I couldn’t see it yet. With every effort I exuded to avoid the possibility of role expansion on the job came promotion after promotion. And while the benefits were great, I still preferred to maintain being in an entry level position because it felt comfortable. After spending months and years at a time complaining about my job, it finally registered what exactly I was supposed to be learning from my situation.

On a Thursday evening right when I had completed the day’s work, I was on the brink of giving up. I had had enough with the tasks, the asks, and the demands of my fellow teammates who saw the weight of work weighing heavily upon me. However, after speaking with my best friend and having a change of perspective I finally realized that my preference of being content in my role was the very thing that was holding me hostage from experiencing bigger and better. God never wanted me to “play small” while making myself miserable on the job. What he, instead, needed me to see and do was use my current situation to build my skillset and expertise, and to then go and create my own. The minute I realized this, my life changed for the better. Part of the reason why I held myself in bondage was due to fear of the unknown. I automatically counted myself out as not being able to be a successful entrepreneur because I saw the opportunity as being burdensome, or just too much for me to handle. I felt that wearing such hat required me to have a plethora of knowledge on all things technology related as well as having “x” amount of experience in a male-dominated field. But, that was not the case all along. Although my skills were not that advanced at the time, I realized that what I did possess was in fact just enough to fulfill my calling. Hence, that is why App Strategy was founded upon and remains rooted in the scripture, Luke 161:10 – ” “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…” It didn’t matter how little I knew at the time, or what skills I didn’t possess yet. Instead, what I needed to do was be confident in what I DID have and DID know and use it to my advantage. God saw that in me being faithful with all that he allowed me to encounter deemed me as ressg and worthy of embarking upon something greater than what I could even fathom. As long as I knew and understood the calling that was on my life and as long as I trusted the plan, success was bound to be apart of my life’s journey. And THAT is what God needed me to see and understand.

Today, I represent App Strategy boldly as an African American woman, Founder, CEO, and Design Architect for a business that has since seen nothing short of support and success since its establishment. Prioritizing my purpose over my fears is what prompted me to start my business, and it was the best decision I made for myself in 2019. Had I not had a change of perspective and taken the leap of faith, I would not have had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful people and assisting them with fulfilling their own calling. As a few words of encouragement for others who may also be experiencing the same (or something similar), always keep in my mind that a plan that is destined to prosper you will NEVER fail you. So, take that leap and shoot for the starts. The world is yours!

What should our readers know about your business?
App Strategy is a small business that provides mobile application design services. We are committed to bringing clients’ app vision to life one screen design at a time. We not only pride ourselves on meeting client and project expectations, but exceeding them as well. With proper research and design tools, we are always ready to service our clients’ needs as we address each phase of the project’s lifecycle. Whether at the stage of ideation, user experience mapping, or content development, App Strategy meets clients exactly where they are as we work to meet every need, and THAT is what makes me most proud/excited about the business. Getting to where we are today with the business definitely has not been a walk in the park, but every challenge faced has made me stronger and wiser. I’ve learned to take every obstacle faced and make it work for my good in the end. I believe that that is the key to defying all odds and claiming victory over your vocation!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
[Morning] – A light, hearty breakfast at Juiceheads Atl – A morning hike at Amicalola Falls State Park [Afternoon] – Lunch at Big Sky Buckhead – A stroll through Atlanta Station – A trip to Botanical Gardens [Evening] – Dinner at Fogo De Chao – A good time at Encore Lounge

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wholeheartedly believe that if it had not been for the love and constant support of my family and close friends, that I would still be where I was three years ago. To this end, I’d like to dedicate this shoutout and article to the following individuals: (1) My parents, Ralph and Kaigh Johnson: For loving me unconditionally and supporting me in every endeavor I embark upon (2) My brother, Brandon Johnson: For being my biggest fan, supporter, and hype man since my entrance into this world (3) My best friends, Kori Jernigan and Chelsea Osademe: For always being present, supportive, and encouraging in my time of need (4) And last but not least, my life partner, Tyrell Clarke: For showing me what true love and support feels like on a daily basis.

Instagram: @app_strategy
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tytianna-johnson-7118aa101

Image Credits
– Anice Woodard – Eman the Creator