Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Johnson.
Hi Brittany, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story starts at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, where I attended and received my Bachelors in health science. Life after college was initially less than ideal. I struggled finding work with my degree and was unsure of my next move.
This unemployed static lasted for a few months before I took the defeated jump and moved back home where I started working at a call center. I remember on my first day, I was cursed out by the caller because her bill was one dollar higher than last months. I feel like it was divine intervention because an old college friend reached out to me and she discussed the graduate program for health administration. I was inspired. Before I knew it, I’d graduated from the program, studied and became a licensed nursing home administrator.
Today I oversee a staff of sixty health care professionals, as well as monitoring the day to day operations of an eighty bed in-patient facility. I ensure my residents receive the best care while remaining within state and federal standards. Aside from my professional career, I consider myself an all-around creative. I curate content for YouTube, I paint and I am currently in the process of becoming a yoga instructor.
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?
I definitely struggled heavily in the beginning but it all panned out. My difficulties actually led me to find creative outlets such as the ones I mentioned above: painting, creating youtube videos and doing yoga.
However, my biggest struggle was my search for a preceptor for my internship as an administrator in training. I remember hearing a breakfast club interview with Elaine Wentworth, where she discussed how “relentless and somewhat borderline stalker” she felt while trying to secure her job with Ebony magazine. Wentworth mentioned calling them everyday and asking to bring coffee even though she was in a different state.
I saw her persistence and I took it a step further. I made a list of preceptors from Central to North Florida and I showed up to their jobs. I wore a grey suit with my resume in hand and a personalized cover letter. I would introduce myself and ask if they had a moment to chat or schedule a future meeting to possibly take me on as an intern.
After countless interactions like this, I was finally offered two separate positions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Majority of my time is spent working in health care and I am super proud to be one of the youngest Administrators in my region, but I am also proud of my progress with my creative outlets. Working in healthcare can be stressful, so to be able to express myself through my youtube channel is amazing. I specialize in all things beauty. My channel is called QueenBeauty where people can watch me do hair reviews/tutorials, makeup get ready with me videos, and travel/lifestyle vlogs.
Also, in the past year since I moved to Georgia I have really enjoyed creating art. I paint some of your favorite cartoons from different shows like Bob’s Burgers, Midnight Gospel, Powderpuff Girls, and even HunterxHunter.
Lastly, I have been doing yoga for over four years and I finally decided to become a yoga instructor. Yoga instructors do not normally look like me. In Atlanta was the first time I had ever attended a yoga class taught by a black woman. This decision definitely sets a new standard, and I am proud to become one, so I can inspire more of the black community to try yoga and experience the calming effects it has on the body. I will be specializing in deep stretch yoga techniques and I teach my first class in the fall, so definitely check me out!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I see the good when others don’t. I joke with my colleagues by referring to myself as the Ted Lasso of my job. Ted is a character on a show whose good nature is almost unbelievable. His ability to be unconditionally positive never falters. That is a quality that I encompass and that I believe is pertinent to my success.
Without that mindset, I would have never been able to persevere through all the challenges I faced to get me where I am today. I believe in myself, my peers and I believe that with hard work the only road is success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/britstheboss?r=nametag
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/QUEENBEAUTY
