Career Champion: Courtney Johnson

I couldn’t be more excited to introduce Courtney Johnson as April’s Career Champion! Back in the day, I featured Courtney as one of my first career profiles in my first iteration of this series called Core Sweethearts (#tbt). Then, we discussed her journey to try out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, her time on reality tv (DCC: Making the Team) and her role on the Dallas Stars Ice Girls team. Now, Courtney is a Digital Practice Lead and the co-founder of MYSOLMAT (aka my favorite yoga mat ever!). I have admired her career from afar and I’m thrilled to dive into today. Let’s get to it.

1) First of all, you have risen in the ranks to become a very successful and influencer marketing/advertising director. I'd love to hear more about your career path.

I grew up with a love of writing, design, technology, and creativity, so this industry was the perfect combination of them all. Getting into marketing and advertising was always a no-brainer for me– I wanted a career that could also serve as a creative outlet, so I set my sights on TCU to study Strategic Communications.

My career started in sports marketing and I fell in love with it immediately. From there, I transitioned into the agency world working at The Dealey Group as a Social Media Manager and then RocketBrand as the Social Media Director. I then was hired on at a consulting firm in Austin to build out the Digital Presence department, and started MYSOLMAT as a side hustle to fill a need for a product that I just couldn’t find.

I truly think my success thus far has been a combination of hard work, luck, and starting small. I’m so grateful that I started at small companies because I was able to wear so many hats, work with more clients, and get more experience than many other people my age. This really set me ahead.

2) You recently launched your own company MYSOLMAT! Congratulations! Tell us about it.

Thank you! Launching MYSOLMAT has been the most fun and rewarding professional project I’ve ever done. The focus of MYSOLMAT is to make fitness - especially yoga - more approachable, more lighthearted, and more fun.

3) How did you decide to start your own business? How does it impact your career?

I’ve always loved yoga and fitness, but never really found a fitness or yoga mat that suited me. I love to express myself through design, fashion, and what I buy and wear, so it was frustrating that I couldn’t find a mat that reflected that.

The idea for MYSOLMAT struck me when I was working on a marketing campaign for a huge yoga event in Dallas. I was reviewing drone footage after the event of hundreds of yogis on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, and all I could think about is how boring all of the mats were. I went home that weekend for Easter, talked to my family about it, and the idea started to take shape.

MYSOLMAT has had a huge impact on my career because I’ve been able to dive so deep into my craft and learn so many new skills. I have to be an expert in every aspect of the business, so learning has been so vital to me. Those new skills and insights cross over into my “real” job every day.

4) What has been the biggest challenge in starting your business?

The biggest challenge has been diving into new parts of business that I’ve never experienced before. From sourcing materials, to finance, to legal, I haven’t had experience in anything outside of the marketing, branding, and advertising. Luckily my family was there to help on the things I didn’t know. My mom, dad, and brothers have been working on this with me and they’re all really well-versed in business, so they helped me on the parts that I was unfamiliar with.

5) What advice would you give to any young woman looking to start a business?

You can have all the ideas in the world but ideas are meaningless without action. Just take it one step at a time and do at least one thing every day that drives you forward.

5) MYSOLMAT is all about making yoga accessible and approachable. What's your yoga story?

I started yoga during college, and I’ve loved it ever since. I initially started it because I wanted a way to stay flexible and stretch after workouts, but what I didn’t expect is It really helped me learn to breathe. It’s had such a huge impact on my mood, my body, my breath and my patience.

6) Where do you see your career going in the next few years? What's your big aspiration?

My biggest aspiration is to be a CMO, but I’d be happy with any career path that life throws my way as long as I can be creative, make an impact, and help others.

7) Go back to college graduation: what would you tell yourself?

Take risks, do more than others, and work your butt off. Also… the learning doesn’t ever stop. You need to learn every single day, and when in doubt, GTS and FITFO.

Lastly, make sure to stay true to your morals, work for good people, be a good person, and stand up for yourself when you know something is morally wrong.

8) How do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in so many places. First, the people who I surround myself with. “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” I try to constantly surround myself with people who I can learn from. Next, I plug into community events to learn and network with other leaders. Creative Mornings is a great place to start. Next, I’m constantly reading and learning. The local library is my best friend! Lastly, there’s a ton of free online resources that I pull inspiration from. Instagram, Reddit, Linkedin, Pinterest, blogs… I could go on and on!

9) Who is your role model?

My parents! They are incredible examples of hard work, love, and dedication. Growing up, they didn’t expect perfection, they expected hard work. My mom always said “If someone asks you to do the dishes, sweep the floor, too” and I’ve carried this advice with me throughout my life and career.