Over the years, success has taken on new faces. Redefined in innumerable ways, it no longer requires following the traditional path of entering college, earning a degree, and landing a nine-to-five job. However, while the definition of success has become highly subjective, its ingredients remain largely constant, and countless widely accomplished personalities have attested to the power of certain must-have values. Among those shared by today’s powerhouses, influential figures, and up-and-coming names is bearing a sense of purpose. The fuel behind their efforts, one’s purpose serves as a lighthouse amid the darkness and a beacon when odds may turn too overwhelming. Kimi Johnson, the mind behind the fastest-growing Black woman-owned publishing company, PurposePals Publishing, believes in the importance of having a purpose. Currently capitalizing on her influence and reach, she has taken on the mission to help people who are running after their publishing dreams.
An entrepreneur with an impressive portfolio attached to her name, Kimi Johnson dipped her toes in the world of business over twelve years ago. She started her journey by delving into the field of cosmetology, bringing to the table her background in business and writing. Throughout the process of expanding her brand and making her mark in several locations, she strategically married her education in business with her passion for writing and experience in cosmetology to develop and design training programs that support new entrepreneurs.
Years down the road, Kimi Johnson began sharing her insights with other establishments, consulting with several agencies and crafting the curriculum for non-profits, for-profits, and federal governments. It didn’t take long before she fell in love with bringing content to life, and this deep-seated interest led to her first publication: the Purpose-Driven Women Magazine (PDWM). A magazine that aims to support women in lifestyle, fashion, health, and faith, PDWM secured over eight thousand subscribers within the first two hours of its release.
Later on, Kimi Johnson published Purposefully Driven Magazine, but this would not be the peak of her career in the industry. In the midst of the pandemic, the highly dedicated entrepreneur launched PurposePals Publishing, a venture aiming to help authors cultivate and formulate their stories and bring their inspiring manuscripts to life. Boasting a signature 12-week program, this trusted company assigns each author a PurposePal, who edits their manuscripts and provides support during the entire publishing process.
Today, Kimi Johnson and her brainchild, PurposePals Publishing, are both enjoying a coveted position at the forefront of the industry – a place that speaks of her success and potential for reaching greater heights in the future.
“For me, success is threefold,” shared the acclaimed CEO. “It encompasses my ability to achieve personal and self-goals through Godly principles. Second, it involves being able to nurture my family, which is my first ministry. Lastly, it means using my talents to support clients worldwide and, at the same time, make the world a better place.”
Although her rise may seem quick, it took years of determination and hard work before Kimi Johnson could build a reputation and cement her standing in the publishing industry. Getting there was also nowhere near easy. On top of navigating the complex waters of the entrepreneurial realm, she also had to deal with the loss of her mother and learn how to have faith in strength she did not see.
Through it all, Kimi Johnson relied on the Lord, seeking God for strategies and executing them. Additionally, she continued to operate with her overarching purpose in mind and the extent to which she religiously adhered to her personal why is one thing she wants to emphasize to others.
“I would tell someone aspiring to be successful first to find their purpose,” Kimi Johnson said. “Be bold enough to commit to what you are passionate about. Create your own definition of success that aligns with your purpose and stay true to it. You have to become obsessed with it. Throw out your plan B. There is no plan B. When you think of plan A as all you have, you go after it as if your life depends on it. But first, you must have a clear picture of what success looks like for you. Otherwise, you will always be chasing a moving target. Lastly, as my late mother once said, when life gets tough, remember to be light-hearted and dance.”
