Meet Hope Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Johnson.

Hi Hope, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a business owner is not roses all the time; one of my biggest challenges was time management. When I started my business, I was working full – time, enrolled in an undergraduate program along with having a family. I would spend time with my children during the day and stay up late at night making products, sending emails, and creating content. I figured out that I worked better when the house was quiet, and everyone was in bed. Another challenge was determining shipping costs, package sizes, and product pricing. The first year I lost money on shipping because I did not know when I added a new product to my online store that I had to create a shipping profile. If a product does not have a shipping profile, there is no charge to the customer for shipping. I would receive an order with a charge for first class, which should have been a priority. Eventually, I realized I needed to assign all products a shipping profile. Product pricing was my third biggest challenge. Initially, I used a product pricing formula that helped me price bath soaks correctly. As time went on, I would base my pricing on what I saw as average prices for similar products. In the long run, I realized that it would not be sustainable if I wanted to make a profit. Currently, I am using Craftybase, an online program that calculates costs of goods, profits, and losses and tracks expenses. It has helped me see where I needed to make adjustments in costs.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been a respiratory therapist for 23 years. I worked in critical care, the emergency department, and interventional pulmonology. Currently, I work part-time as a pediatric asthma educator. When I was younger, my mom and sister always told me I would be a good school teacher. I never envisioned myself being a teacher, although I enjoyed sharing knowledge with others. Thinking back, they saw something I did not see in myself. I am known for reading. When we travel, I always have a book with me. My love of reading comes from spending time at the library at a young age. My mom would take us to the library every week for activities and check out books. Every summer, I was in the summer reading club. Being an avid reader has enhanced my knowledge and creativity. I have participated in research projects and health equipment focus groups and was featured in a newspaper article.

My determination keeps me going. I do not believe in quitting. If something does not work out today, try again tomorrow. When I was a little girl, I told my father I wanted my own business. Although I went to school to be a respiratory therapist, having a small business was always in my heart. Entrepreneurs and healthcare providers are in my bloodline. I have been able to accomplish both.

I am a proud mom of two amazing children. They are smart, creative, and caring. Some nights when I’m up working late, my son will bring me popcorn. My daughter will bring me water or shower me with kisses and hugs. We begin and end each day with a hug. They also love reading as much as I do. I admire their self-confidence. I did not like my voice growing up and in my adult life. I have a soft voice, and I sound like a little girl. During my healthcare career, patients told me I had a soothing and relaxing voice. I never thought something I did not like about myself would be a comfort to someone else.

What makes you happy?
I enjoy spending quality with my husband and children. Our favorite trips include amusement parks, beaches, and mountains; our spiritual time together includes bible reading and discussing our favorite bible verses. We love having a big family dinner and eating our favorite homemade dishes together. A favorite quote is, “Family is where life begins, and love never ends.”

Contact Info:

• Website: atasteofrelaxation.com
• Instagram: Atasteofrelaxation
• Facebook: A Taste of Relaxation