Daily Inspiration: Meet Tonette Johnson

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

Hi Tonette, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Drop out of UNCG in 2007 pregnant & brother was killed. The same year, Charlee Noel had on Christmas Day 2008. ( Daughter) went to Meredith College in 2011 for Fashion Design & Mass Communications, and became Cafe Baker for Edible Art Bakery in 2012 with no experience. Baker walked out on the job & has yet to return. (Baked Cakes, Cupcakes, Buttercream & all cafe desserts) Commuting from Fayetteville to open the cafe each day by myself. Cranking up music and baking at 6 am felt like a movie. Received Internship from IMG to MBFW 2013. I was recruited as Model Scout. However, Executive Producer Christina Neault requested an intern last minute, so I was sent to her to go to New York for an unpaid internship. I used my refund to put my daughter in a private school. The rest of my money was stolen on the 2nd day. I had to sell my clothes to a consignment shop for money. Purchased less expensive clothes at thrift stores. (They were better) I ate whatever I could from the office or the $2 Pizza/soda combo. I worked long days and lived at Pink Dorms (Union Square) on a bunk bed in NY for 1600/per month. (But I could walk to work) Pink dorms are Intern housing for females. Read the reviews. It was terrible, but I was so happy. I felt out of place but in the right place.

I watched MBFW build from the ground up at Lincoln Square and assisted with the process. Supervised volunteers and saw the work that went into multiple runway shoes in one space for a week. I learned that backstage is way more fun; I worked past the internship date. No one remembered that I was only an intern. Pink Dorms hired me as a RA/Community Events Coordinator in return for complimentary housing; I was moved to the Central Park location. I left New York bc my daughter needed me, and I had yet to secure a job & place suitable for the both of us. I was so sad. 2014 I interviewed with Courtyard Marriott in Fayetteville, NC, for Events Specialist. I was hired due to my MBFW experience. It’s the experience of the only event I had.

A year later 2015, I received a promotion. I moved with my daughter to Charlotte, NC, and became the Operations Specialist at Courtyard Arrowwood. I attended a hiring mixer in Downtown Charlotte three months into this promotion. I am a wanderlust; It was more curiosity than anything. Shortly after I walked in, I met a woman named Joya Dortch. We chatted a moment, and we had on the same color shirt. She immediately touched me. Come to find out, Joya was doing the hiring at the Signature Marriott City Center. I was hired as one of two Red Coats. Another life-changing experience. I go from a hotel with one event room and 148 sleeping rooms to a newly renovated Beta Marriott. This hotel had 428 sleeping rooms and an entire floor with 10 break-out rooms & 2 ballrooms. Can you say blessed? In 2016 I got engaged to a high school crush & received a promotion to the Marriott International Sales Team. I moved back to Fayetteville, NC, and worked out of Raleigh. Marry in 2017 and got pregnant with Carter. Purchase our 1st home. I have our son Carter. I end up being a stay-at-home Mom. I work part-time at the Wine Cafe Downtown Fayetteville & restart my candy apple/chocolate strawberry business ( Pleasant Surprises). I didn’t like not knowing anything about the home-buying process or placing trust in someone I didn’t know. I want to get licensed.

From 2018 until now, I’ve continued cultivating my business, doing pop-up shops and vending shows, including the Wine & Chocolate Festival or the PopUpRaleigh events. I love classes at the local Rec Center for children, events I curate for women/ men, cake decoration, meal prepping & catering events. I added cake decoration to the menu when my friend Brandy Webster asked me to make my God-Daughters Cake. The business has grown to the point where I don’t need to advertise, but I still receive orders. Most importantly, I was brought on to teach culinary and decorating CE courses at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

In 2021 I finally accomplished my goal of becoming a licensed Realtor. I currently operate 100% under my company, which is a pleasant surprise. I am an NC & GA REALTOR, 2023 Chair to the Young Professionals Network of LongLeaf Pine Realtors Association. I am the Events Director for ARRAY Publishing & Marketing at my leisure. I teach courses and decorate desserts at my leisure. I’ve started my blog & online shop. OfficaillySurprised.com.

I’m proud to have intentionally cultivated a life around everything I love. Our 4-year-old is on the autism spectrum. He needs my time & attention. My 9-year-old lives with his Mother 70% of the time. My job is to create memories and help him feel at home when he’s with us. My 14-year-old daughter is at a pivotal moment in her development. She needs my emotional support & care. I love being a wife and mom and taking care of the home. I love being a creative / businesswoman as well.

Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Single motherhood, my first day in New York, I was notified my dorm room wouldn’t be ready. I had to stay at a hotel; the only place I felt would be safe was Time Square. (I hadn’t traveled much or been to NY only once) My cellphone got cut off while I was on the plane. I checked into a cheap hotel and called my now husband from the room. I had only stayed in a few hotels and never in one alone. I did not know about long-distance calls. The hotel charged me $300 for a phone bill. I only had $800 to my name. I took the train the next day to Pink Dorms, and my suitcase burst open as I walked in the subway at Penn Station. Everyone was staring at me while I cried.

I picked up tuna fish from the Dwayne Reed, where someone stole the rainy balance from my debit card. I didn’t receive that money back until after my internship was over. I sold off all the clothes I purchased or had and bought new clothes as needed from thrift stores, thankfully, because I was in no way prepared for the winter storms in NY. Transitioning alone in unfamiliar atmospheres. My brother passed away in 2017. He was one year older than me. I had never felt so alone in life; I had a miscarriage. I had to remove the baby, then ended up pregnant with Charlee. I wanted to love.

Transitioning to being a wife, new homeowner & stepmother. I had to place my dreams on hold to become a wife & mom. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Lol, It has been a transition. My husband and I weren’t seeing eye to eye in the living situation. I did not want to rent. I wanted to save money and buy a home. I kept saying we have three kids; I refuse to spend all of that money on rent. So as newlyweds, we stayed with our parents. Jay was so upset. As a man, he did not like that. I asked him to look into the home-buying process. When he did, he called me and told me we needed to find a home in 30 days. He was pre-approved in less than 24 hours. We then moved from one bedroom to a 3 bedroom -2 bathroom home on one 1 acre lot; no furniture, no savings, just lots of houses. It was a lot. I was also transitioning from my career with Marriott to a stay-at-home mom, pregnant & re-birthing my business, Pleasant Surprises.

Finding out my 3-year-old Carter has a developmental delay & is on the autism spectrum. He still hasn’t received all of the required tests. Mrs. Carmen from Harnett Partnership with Children helped me with early detection. I unknowingly suffered from postpartum depression and blamed myself for Carter’s developmental delay. In actuality, I was doing exactly what I was supposed to do. Figuring it out. Not fully embracing and believing I belonged in certain spaces was an obstacle. I self-sabotaged & was very defensive. I knew how to care for others but not show up for myself. I’ve had to trust and see that I belong.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Creative Director Officially Surprised / Realtor with ERA Strother Fayetteville, NC. I love all things Creative & all things Real Estate. I especially love when people come to me with a desire for movement and a willingness to do the work. I’m transparent yet comforting. I’m most proud that I live a life where I can be there for myself, my family, and others. I am an asset to every team. That feels great!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls was on the summer reading list for Meredith College. I talked about this book in my telephone interview with IMG. I never had an in-person interview. I now have two copies of this book in my home. I’m a part of a Facebook Community called” She Became,” hosted by Realtor Kendra Conyers. It has changed my life. Daily motivation, Monday 6 am Prayers and liked minded business women. Harnett County Partnership for Children is a great resource for toddlers, homeschoolers & stay at home moms. Oprah Supersoul Sundays Podcast.

Contact Info:

• Website: officiallysurprised.com
• Instagram: Tonibliss & theofficialpleasantsurptises
• Facebook: Tonette Sheree Johnson
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ tonette-johnson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCV3J80boO0wEedjQbZYxFw

Image Credits
Ciara Sherae Photography- Out of Greensboro, NC Kristin Guynn Photography – Out Of Fayetteville , NC