Life and Work with Carrie H. Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie H. Johnson

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started out as a journalist and have been published in the Los Angeles Times, Worcester Telegram and Gazette and the Metrowest Daily News. Life’s journey took me through years of drug and alcohol abuse and, as a single parent, cornered me at the door of government assistance to support my two sons.

I started cleaning offices nights for extra money. What started as a three-person cleaning service (me, my sister and a girlfriend) grew to a $3.5 million company with 165 employees, servicing government and corporate clients in four New England states. I had a new attitude. One that said, “I can.”

In 2009, I wrote and self-published my first book, FROM THE PITS TO THE PALACE: ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY TO SELF-REALIZATION THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP that depicts my entrepreneurial journey from welfare to a successful business owner.

In 2002, I sold my company and began writing a novel and teaching at the Center for Women and Enterprise, helping other women fulfill their dreams of entrepreneurship. I currently teach business and communication courses at Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA; Framingham State University in Famingham, MA; and the Center for Women and Enterprise in Boston, MA.

Writing and teaching, a life I love.

Has it been a smooth road?
There are always going to be struggles to overcome. You can either keep moving forward or wallow in the murkiness of failure. With two sons to care for my mantra, “Failure is not an option” drove me.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Confuscius

Lord knows it took falling far and hard to get and keep me on track to being a mom, entrepreneur and educator whom my sons could be proud.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I teach business and communication courses and write novels.

I am most proud of two things: 1. starting and building a successful business that allowed me to make a home for my children who are now grown college educated men 2. Attracting a New York publisher to publish my first novels HOT FLASH and COLD FLASH.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
If you’re not sure what you want to be when you grow up, just keep moving forward and do not despair. That day will come when you find what it is you were meant to do and everything you’ve done will make it all the sweeter.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carriehjohnson.com
• Email: carrie@carriehjohnson.com
• Facebook: @carriehjohnson1
• Other: linkedin.com/in/carriehjohnson

Image Credit:
Pits to Palace – Eve Chayes Lyman and Robert Glover, Hot Flash, Cold Flash – Kensington Publishing

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