Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Johnson
Hi Christi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my business as a photographer in 2009 taking photos of my friends. Eventually my age group started getting married and I was asked to photograph several weddings and I fell in love with wedding photography!
Because I have ADHD and don’t like to be bored, I also had other businesses. I taught swim lessons and piano lessons for about 5 years while I was growing my wedding photography business. In 2017 I ended up going into photography full time.
I realized quickly that I loved the backend side of business which was something a lot of people struggled with, so I started mentoring other photographers and helping them with their businesses. In 2020 I launched my first membership style coaching program and my first podcast which really is where my love of coaching began.
For the longest time though, I didn’t believe I was “good enough” to call myself a coach, so I didn’t claim that and tried selling other things that didn’t really take off. I became an Online Business Manager in 2023 which eventually flourished into a full-blown creative agency doing backend business tasks, marketing, and websites for business owners. I burnt out badly at the beginning of 2024 and after I spent some time recovering I realized what I really wanted deep down was to be a coach so I just got back into coaching at the beginning of this year and am feeling more aligned than ever!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not! For me my biggest struggle has been imposter syndrome. It has kept me from growing things consistently because I will often try something else when it gets tough or when I don’t feel good enough. However, I believe everything happens for a reason and I think the winding road that I went down has helped me be a great coach to others now because I have been where they are. I know what it’s like to build a business and get success fast but I also know what it’s like to have things I’m excited about launching completely flop.
The biggest struggle came last year when I experienced burnout. I was making more money than I had before but I was not happy at all. The work I was doing just felt like a constant grind and wasn’t lighting me up. It eventually led to me having to shut down the business and experiencing 6 months of burnout recovery where I felt a lot of feelings of failure and grief.
Once I worked through that, I started focusing on doing work that brought me joy and it really changed everything for me in my business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m business coach and consultant helping creative entrepreneurs build a business that aligns with their values, brings them joy, and actually makes money. My work is all about simplifying your business and building something that lights you up. It’s a lot of creating systems to make business smoother, clarifying messaging to attract aligned clients, and crafting strategies that turn ideas into reality.
I specialize in guiding business owners through the messy middle. If they’re in that stage where they’ve had some success but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or out of alignment then that’s a good time for them to work with me. I help entrepreneurs step into confidence, own their expertise, and build something that truly works for them.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend strategy with deep personal alignment. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter formulas or “just follow these steps” approaches. Instead, I help my clients craft a business that reflects them. We focus a lot on finding their unique strengths, their goals, and following their creative energy. My background in music, photography, and swim coaching gives me a unique perspective on problem-solving and thinking outside the box.
I’m most proud of how I have built my business back up after my burnout last year. I know have confidence and the ability to show up fully as myself. Seeing me go from doubt and burnout to clarity and excitement is really something I am proud of.
At the heart of it all, I believe business should feel good. It should be sustainable, fulfilling, and allow you to live the life you actually want.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is a mix of my personal values and goals. I regularly ask myself, “is my business aligned with my values, my passion, and my purpose?” And most importantly, “am I having fun and enjoying myself”? If I’m not enjoying myself, then I don’t consider myself successful. I know what it feels like to have a business that looks successful on the outside but is completely eating you up on the inside. I don’t want that again! So I help my clients get away from that. You have to decide – what are your core values? How do you want your work day to look? How much money do you want to make? How do you want to feel when you are working? At the end of the day, success isn’t just external. It’s an internal feeling of alignment, purpose, and the freedom to create a life that truly fits.
Pricing:
- Coaching Intensive (First Call Special – $97)
- 1:1 Coaching – $997/mo
- VIP Day – $1247
- Dream Biz Workbook – $33
- Dream Biz Community – $33/mo
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christijohnsoncreative.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/christijohnsoncreative
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/christijohnsoncreative
