Latest / Daily Influence / 706. Fueling Female Founders: Andrea Johnston on Authentic Leadership and Purpose-Driven Success

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706. Fueling Female Founders: Andrea Johnston on Authentic Leadership and Purpose-Driven Success · Daily Influence

• 0:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to Daily Influence, your daily dose of positive influence.
• 0:14
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Brian Smith founder of IA Business Advisors and co-author of the Iain team series.
• 0:19
  [SPEAKER_00]: Each day we share stories and insights to help you find be and build your influence in a positive and responsible way.
• 0:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I'm Greg Lino, partner at IA Business Advisors and co-host of Daily Influence.
• 0:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: Be sure to follow, subscribe, and share Daily Influence with someone who could use a little extra positivity today.
• 0:39
  [SPEAKER_02]: And make us part of your daily routine, whether it's during your commute, on a walk, or an quiet moment just for you, because you're influenced matters.
• 0:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: Welcome to Daily Influence.
• 0:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: I'm Greg Lino, and today's guest in bodies what it means to lead with both strength and service.
• 0:56
  [SPEAKER_02]: Andrea Johnson, a seasoned communications executive, exited founder, and now the founder of Fuel for Female Founders, where she helps women scale and grow with clarity, confidence, and strategic positioning.
• 1:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: She is also the creator and host of the woman I want to know editorial series and podcast, celebrating women leading in all facets of life and
• 1:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: Andrea built and scaled pure communications into a $12 million firm before its acquisition.
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  [SPEAKER_02]: Later, serving as group president at W20 now real chemistry overseeing more than 150 million in revenue and a 600 person team.
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  [SPEAKER_02]: Along the way she is remain deeply committed to community impact, helping raise millions to combat poverty and fund cancer research and serving organizations focus on economic mobility and education.
• 1:56
  [SPEAKER_02]: Andrea, welcome to Daily Influence.
• 1:59
  [SPEAKER_01]: Greg, thank you so much for having me.
• 2:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's great to be here.
• 2:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: Andrew, it's so great to have you.
• 2:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: Could you share a bit about your background and what led you to where you are today with our listeners?
• 2:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: Sure.
• 2:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: I have been in the communications industry or sector for almost 30 years, actually, a little over 30 years.
• 2:16
  [SPEAKER_01]: I started my journey in Washington, DC, doing a lot of work in public affairs, specifically in the healthcare and life sciences sector.
• 2:25
  [SPEAKER_01]: And really found that I was passionate about patient care and about wellness and health, and so really continued that journey, working in the pharmaceutical industry, the biotech industry, helping agencies start healthcare practices, ultimately deciding to start my own PR firm, and really built that leaning into the biotech industry, which is a very research-based
• 2:47
  [SPEAKER_01]: industry really focused on unmet needs and patient care disease in the areas where there hasn't been a lot of attention and where there's huge need.
• 2:56
  [SPEAKER_01]: And so really partnering with those organizations as they grew and scaled and looked at their marketing and their brand and how best to communicate with their different audiences.
• 3:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: I was fortunate to grow that to a level that was of interest to others, did a deal with private equity that allowed me to be the first addition to a platform company called W2O, was able to partner with a group of like-minded entrepreneurs to grow and build that business.
• 3:21
  [SPEAKER_01]: We achieved a five-year plan in three years.
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  [SPEAKER_01]: We got to sell again to a bigger private equity firm.
• 3:27
  [SPEAKER_01]: And at that point, I decided bigger wasn't really for me.
• 3:30
  [SPEAKER_01]: And I was ready to sort of take some time to enjoy my family and think about what I wanted to build next.
• 3:35
  [SPEAKER_01]: And that led me to fuel for female founders.
• 3:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: Well, congratulations on your success.
• 3:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: You've navigated entrepreneurship, acquisitions, executive leadership, and now a very purpose-driven chapter
• 3:51
  [SPEAKER_01]: And really, it is.
• 3:52
  [SPEAKER_01]: Thank you for saying that.
• 3:54
  [SPEAKER_02]: In our I have team series, we talk about the power of individual responsibility inside collective success.
• 4:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: When you are scaling pure communications and later leading large teams, how did you personally find your role as the I inside the team and how did that shape your leadership style.
• 4:14
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's a really great question because I think, especially as an entrepreneur, when you're building a company, you're financing that company, you feel so much pressure often on your shoulders about the paychecks that you need to pay out that people's livelihoods are depending on your ability to generate new business and to create opportunity.
• 4:35
  [SPEAKER_01]: There's a lot of eye in that, and that's just the nature I think of being an entrepreneur.
• 4:41
  [SPEAKER_01]: But the reality is a company cannot grow in scale, it cannot be successful if there's not a strong we.
• 4:48
  [SPEAKER_01]: And if there's not a strong sense of team and a strong feeling of common purpose,
• 4:53
  [SPEAKER_01]: For me, it's why I never called my company Johnston Communications, and why I'm not calling my current company Johnston Consulting.
• 5:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: Because it isn't about me, it's always about being in service to clients and it's about the team we build and support of those clients.
• 5:08
  [SPEAKER_02]: You've clearly influenced organizations at scale, but influence also happens one person at a time.
• 5:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: Can you tell us about a moment or experience where you felt you made a positive impact on
• 5:23
  [SPEAKER_01]: I would say it's funny because oftentimes I think don't even appreciate the impact you have on people until at some point later when either your paths cross again and they tell you that or something else happens in life where you have that very validating moment.
• 5:40
  [SPEAKER_01]: So there have been, I would say, a number of times looking back, and even in the current time, when especially I think with younger women, early in their career, either giving them a job that they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to do and really mentoring them and helping them advance their career in a certain way, even if it's sometimes that meant leaving my organization to go to someplace that could open different doors for them.
• 6:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: I think from a community impact perspective, one of the things that has been incredibly rewarding for me is being able to help architect the forward fund, which was the State of North Carolina's first pay-up forward fund.
• 6:17
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's a workforce development fund that's focused on helping.
• 6:21
  [SPEAKER_01]: people who need to advance to a new level in their career in order to go from barely getting by to hopefully thriving.
• 6:29
  [SPEAKER_01]: We identified three areas in North Carolina where there was huge employer demand and it was just a matter of getting even a 12 weeks certificate in order to go from where they were to something where employers had high paying job opportunities.
• 6:43
  [SPEAKER_01]: So, being able to help architect that design it, see it launch and become real in the marketplace.
• 6:49
  [SPEAKER_01]: We've raised over $7 million in student financing.
• 6:52
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's just been so awesome.
• 6:54
  [SPEAKER_01]: And I know that that is having a huge impact on every student who has the benefit of that financing opportunity.
• 7:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, that ripple effect is powerful.
• 7:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: really is and I think I never thought that I could participate in something like that and have that kind of impact.
• 7:11
  [SPEAKER_01]: But again, networking to other women who had a shared purpose and idea being able to sit around the table and say, what could this look like?
• 7:20
  [SPEAKER_01]: Knowing a woman who was a strong nonprofit leader who really was passionate about this and had the skills and experience wanted to lead it.
• 7:27
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, it was just so awesome to be a part of really creating that and now see it
• 7:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: that's amazing.
• 7:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: Now in this chapter, you're very focused on lifting other women founders.
• 7:39
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yes.
• 7:40
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, not only through the business of fuel for female founders, but something I am even more proud of in a way is our women I want you to know program.
• 7:48
  [SPEAKER_01]: It is a program that is a series of LinkedIn profiles, Instagram, as well as now a podcast where we really try to shine a light on women who are breaking barriers, trailblazing, leading not only companies,
• 8:01
  [SPEAKER_01]: But political movements, non-profits, community efforts, women are leading in so many different ways.
• 8:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: And success doesn't just mean money, it doesn't just mean building a really fancy company or having a huge exit.
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  [SPEAKER_01]: Those things are wonderful.
• 8:17
  [SPEAKER_01]: But success can mean so many other things, and I love being able to show women the various paths that can take you toward whatever success means for you And I really feel strongly that in the world we live in today We need as many of those rays of light as possible because women have so much potential They just need to believe it for themselves and they need the representation to show them what is possible
• 8:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: you're not just celebrating women, you're strategically positioning them for visibility and growth.
• 8:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: Thank you, that's the goal.
• 8:50
  [SPEAKER_02]: What does responsible influence mean to you when it comes to helping female founders build authenticity, scale businesses, and lead authentically?
• 8:59
  [SPEAKER_01]: I think the number one thing that it means for me is not imposing my biases or my preferences on them because I think to lead authentically, you have to figure out who you are and how you wanna show up and what you value.
• 9:12
  [SPEAKER_01]: And those are the things that need to drive your decision making and they need to drive how you move and advance your company forward.
• 9:20
  [SPEAKER_01]: So I feel like one of the best gifts I can give my clients is to really just ask the tough questions
• 9:27
  [SPEAKER_01]: force them to look in the mirror and then draw some of those conclusions for themselves because I can script what works for me, but that's not going to work for you.
• 9:35
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's not going to work for one of my clients.
• 9:38
  [SPEAKER_01]: So it's really helping them chart that path by asking those difficult questions and shining the light on the uncomfortable things that sometimes we don't want to have to look at ourselves.
• 9:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: that's a great point.
• 9:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: You've had massive professional success in step-to-way at times to recalibrate around family and purpose.
• 9:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: If you could go back and offer advice to your younger self, what would you share and how might that guidance help others who are early in their journeys today?
• 10:06
  [SPEAKER_01]: I think I would absolutely tell my younger self not to be so hard on herself.
• 10:12
  [SPEAKER_01]: I am a type a driven person oftentimes can be accused of perhaps being a perfectionist.
• 10:18
  [SPEAKER_01]: But I think that what I have learned over time is there are certain things you just need to let go.
• 10:23
  [SPEAKER_01]: And you need to appreciate and be grateful for that moment because that is not a guarantee and tomorrow is not a guarantee.
• 10:31
  [SPEAKER_01]: So being able to really
• 10:33
  [SPEAKER_01]: be present and appreciate it and also not hold yourself to a ridiculously high standard that is totally unnecessary and is often just self-created.
• 10:43
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's not like anyone else is putting that standard out there.
• 10:46
  [SPEAKER_01]: I would just say give yourself grace and understand that you don't have to be perfect.
• 10:52
  [SPEAKER_01]: Everything doesn't have to be so well prepared and so well thought out.
• 10:56
  [SPEAKER_02]: Sometimes you just
• 11:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: As your younger self giving that advice, would your younger self have taken it and are there any tricks or tips you can give to people who are like, yeah, that all sounds great, that is awesome advice, but how can I do that?
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  [SPEAKER_02]: That is a really big lift.
• 11:20
  [SPEAKER_01]: It is a big lift and I'm grateful because.
• 11:24
  [SPEAKER_01]: I had one mentor in particular who, she used to have this thing, she's still a very good friend of mine.
• 11:29
  [SPEAKER_01]: She always says, every day you have to choose joy.
• 11:31
  [SPEAKER_01]: And when we used to work together professionally, she would sort of say, every day you have to choose your priorities.
• 11:38
  [SPEAKER_01]: And you have to make sure that you're leaving room for joy.
• 11:40
  [SPEAKER_01]: And I think that it is practices like that where if you enter every day with an intention.
• 11:46
  [SPEAKER_01]: I don't think it has to be a big thing.
• 11:48
  [SPEAKER_01]: I don't think it has to be a bunch of stuff that takes up time in your calendar.
• 11:51
  [SPEAKER_01]: but it's entering into it reminding yourself about what's important and what you're choosing to focus on in that day, making that space really is game-changing and it sounds so simple but making it into a habit is the challenging part, making it an intentional choice so that you're not so hard on yourself so that you're not forcing yourself into these standards.
• 12:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: You have to actually choose it and at times it could
• 12:18
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's really good the way it is.
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  [SPEAKER_01]: Why am I trying to like over-engineer this thing?
• 12:23
  [SPEAKER_01]: So those are the things where I think it's just an intention.
• 12:26
  [SPEAKER_01]: And it's not really a difficult lift once you start doing it every day.
• 12:31
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, that's great advice and I love the choose joy.
• 12:35
  [SPEAKER_01]: She's got the best advice that has proven year after year.
• 12:39
  [SPEAKER_01]: She has a lot of wisdom.
• 12:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: That's great to have someone like that in your life.
• 12:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: Andrea, you've climbed literal mountains for causes you believe in and raised millions to fight poverty and fund research.
• 12:51
  [SPEAKER_02]: that speaks to influence beyond business.
• 12:54
  [SPEAKER_02]: You deeply committed to economic mobility, food security, and education.
• 12:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: From your perspective, how can business leaders better leverage their success to create systematic change in their communities?
• 13:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: Number one, I think you have to want it.
• 13:10
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, I think it sounds good on paper, but wanting it and putting the energy and the resources behind it are two totally different things.
• 13:19
  [SPEAKER_01]: And I know that when you're an entrepreneur especially and you're building something and you're wearing a lot of hats, it's often difficult to find space for that.
• 13:27
  [SPEAKER_01]: But it is so rewarding and fulfilling to know that you're having an impact beyond business.
• 13:33
  [SPEAKER_01]: And for me, I think especially in this chapter of my life, being able to identify things like education, like women's empowerment, like economic mobility.
• 13:44
  [SPEAKER_01]: Having those pillars that guide where I spend my time, how I invest my resources, how I can best support those nonprofit organizations around me.
• 13:54
  [SPEAKER_01]: Having that focus has really helped a lot because I think when you're really passionate about something and you're also able to see a tangible difference and impact from the work you put in.
• 14:06
  [SPEAKER_01]: That's when it just makes you want to keep showing up for that organization or for that movement.
• 14:11
  [SPEAKER_01]: And that's when you want to continue to double down and reinvast.
• 14:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: So my advice would be pick things that you really care about and where you know you will be able to see a tangible outcome and start small and then build from there.
• 14:24
  [SPEAKER_01]: This is great.
• 14:28
  [SPEAKER_01]: If I so love that and find things to bring you joy.
• 14:36
  [SPEAKER_02]: Absolutely.
• 14:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: You know, for many of our listeners, they aspire to grow professionally while also making a difference.
• 14:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: What message or words of encouragement would you like to share with them who aspire to make a positive difference in the world, especially women who may be questioning whether they're ready to lead.
• 14:54
  [SPEAKER_01]: if any of us ever feel fully ready to lead.
• 14:56
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, here I am in my 50s and I still struggle on certain days with, you know, am I really capable of this?
• 15:05
  [SPEAKER_01]: Can I really do this?
• 15:06
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, when I started my first company from scratch in 2004, we didn't have the tools we have today.
• 15:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: Zoom was not a recurring, you know, part of our daily life.
• 15:17
  [SPEAKER_01]: So I've had to learn all kinds of new technology, you know, take on AI as part of the building, the business.
• 15:23
  [SPEAKER_01]: did I think like I'd be able to learn all these new text stacks and all of this new functionality?
• 15:28
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, it can be daunting, but it's very possible.
• 15:32
  [SPEAKER_01]: And I would just say, you can't let the unknown intimidate you.
• 15:36
  [SPEAKER_01]: You have to be willing to take the risk.
• 15:38
  [SPEAKER_01]: Case in point.
• 15:39
  [SPEAKER_01]: I signed up to climb Kilimanjaro.
• 15:41
  [SPEAKER_01]: My team and I raised $1.2 million for cancer research.
• 15:45
  [SPEAKER_01]: And this is an incredible team of people.
• 15:47
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, I am so in awe of the work and the effort that everyone put in.
• 15:52
  [SPEAKER_01]: But I didn't make it to the summit.
• 15:53
  [SPEAKER_01]: I ended up tearing my meniscus on my right knee halfway up the mountain.
• 15:58
  [SPEAKER_01]: But if I hadn't taken the risk, I would never have met this incredible group of people.
• 16:03
  [SPEAKER_01]: I never would have been part of raising $1.2 million for cancer research.
• 16:07
  [SPEAKER_01]: So the point is you have to put yourself out there sometimes and take risk.
• 16:12
  [SPEAKER_01]: It is well worth the reward even if you don't reach the end goal that you would hope to achieve.
• 16:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: That makes similar sense.
• 16:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: I always like to think of it.
• 16:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's all about the journey, not the destination and what you learn along the way and you know what stands out about your journey is that influence isn't just about scaling companies or achieving exits.
• 16:31
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's about who rises because you chose to lead Andrea.
• 16:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: I am so grateful for you and all the positive influence you're having in so many people.
• 16:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: If our listeners want to get in touch with you, what is the best way to do so?
• 16:43
  [SPEAKER_01]: I spent a lot of my time on LinkedIn, so I would encourage you to find me there, Andrea John Sten with a T, and be happy to connect with you there, but also encourage you to participate in the conversations we have on LinkedIn.
• 16:57
  [SPEAKER_01]: We're really trying to build a community of like-minded women who will celebrate each other, recognize each other's accomplishments, and interact along the way.
• 17:06
  [SPEAKER_02]: We'll put a link to your LinkedIn in the show notes for our listeners, Andrea, thank you for modeling what responsible influence looks like an action.
• 17:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: I'm so grateful you're able to join us today.
• 17:16
  [SPEAKER_01]: Well, thank you, and thank you for having a podcast dedicated to these positive things that are happening.
• 17:21
  [SPEAKER_01]: I greatly appreciate it.
• 17:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: You're welcome.
• 17:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's our pleasure.
• 17:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: And to our listeners, thank you for tuning into daily influence.
• 17:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: I hope today's conversation brought you insight and inspiration.
• 17:31
  [SPEAKER_02]: If it's spoke to you, share it with someone who could use a little positivity today.
• 17:36
  [SPEAKER_02]: Remember, small actions create the impact, keep showing up, leading, and growing one day to time.
• 17:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: Until next time, stay inspired and keep having a positive, responsible influence.
• 17:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: Bye-bye.