Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Johnson.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was a weather-worn elementary school principal who was tired of the red tape, never finding the end of my to-do list, and generally not feeling fulfilled. At the time I decide to quit public education, I had a black lab, Tank, that required medicated baths and allergy shots every two weeks. At Christmas, I talked to Aunt Tracy about the way I felt in education and that I wanted to change. She challenged me to think about what sparked my interest and what I would do if I didn’t go into public education. That was easy- work with animals. So, with a spark in my heart, at Tank’s next bath, I talked to my groomer friend, Alicia, about grooming school. She offered to let me learn and practice the skills in an apprenticeship in her shop.
For about 18 months, I worked with Alicia to learn to bathe, dry, trip, and clip different breeds. We even worked on some cats. She taught me about her small business and time management. My dear husband, during this time, created a grooming shed for me with 6 dog runs in one of the sheds on our farm.
In the spring of 2018, I let my district know that I was done at the end of the school year. For the first time in my life, I was stepping away from the safety of contract, a salary, and benefits. I was starting my own business, Sun Haven Farm Boarding and Grooming. The summer of 2024 will be my 6-year anniversary.
The cosmos smiled down on me. That same summer, I started my small business, our local Boys & Girls Club, facing possible closure and needed new leadership. In August 2018, I became the Party Executive Director of the Club.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
All things being equal, it was a fairly smooth road. The biggest challenge has been adjusting to a major change of income and change of balancing two part time jobs. I had the support of my family, and we adjusted to the change of income by making better financial decisions. At first, my business was mostly boarding and baths. I had a few grooming clients to start, but as my skills improved, my clientele has grown. I am in year 6 and stay busy with enough grooming and boarding clients.
Through the years, though, my biggest struggle has been with time management. Grooming, boarding, fundraising, advocating, being a mom and a wife all are important. Self-care was neglected for a time, which, as you know, affects everything else. Now, I set clear boundaries for my small business and my work with the Boys & Girls Club.
When the time is right, I will retire from the Boys and Girls Club and devote my time to growing my business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I try to do it all. I am a professional as the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, but also the Entrepreneur as the owner of Sun Haven.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I will focus only on the positives, though adversity helped me be stronger.
I was a curious child. A girl, raised mostly by my grandparents who had 4 boys. I was spoiled and grandpa’s little girl. He was a biochemist and took me exploring and taught me to look at the world. He would take me to museums, the zoo, and to the arboretum. My grandma sewed, gardened, and raised dogs. I loved to learn alongside my grandma.
Don’t judge the character of a student just by their grades. I was a C student until HS when, in my mind, it mattered. Then I got straight As and was 3rd in my class. I went on to Marietta College and Ohio University for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, respectively.
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