Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Marilyn Johnson,ND.
Hi Dr. Marilyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Dear Ms. Lopez,,
Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for a feature in Voyage Atl. My story is quite lengthy ,however , in order to provide a full overview of my exciting career, I’ve sent you my story as it appears in” Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work”, as well as some of the details of what I’ve been up to for the past 50+ years.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by beauty. As a young girl surrounded by the numbing sameness of all those cornfields around Indianapolis, the glamorous worlds of fashion and cosmetics were a magnificent escape for me. Every time I looked at the advertisements in women’s magazines-all those gorgeous models with flawless skin and expertly applied makeup, their statuesque bodies adorned with incredible designer outfits- whisked me away to exotic places I could only visit in dreams,
The Revlon ads were especially wonderful. But there was only one problem– not one ad in those days featured a woman of color like me. Still, there was a whisper of wisdom inside me telling me that someday my dream would come true. I would have a career in the cosmetics industry. Very few companies recognized the market value of women of color in those days, and I was inspired to improve that situation.
My inspiration came for Madame C.J Walker, the first African American women to become a millionaire. She started out with two dollars and a dream right in my hometown. She earned her fortune at the turn of the century, with her own line of haircare products just for women like herself.
I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Public Health Education. A few months later, I became the first women of color to become a manager of a local McDonalds. Before long I joined a leading pharmaceutical firm, another first for an African American. People were shocked that I took the job because a woman of color selling encyclopedias had been killed shortly before I took the job. In fact, the physicians I dealt with looked at me as if I had two heads.
Eventually my uniqueness worked to my advantage. The doctors and nurses remembered me. And I reversed the negative halo by doing an outstanding job with a unique addition. I shared beauty tips with the nurses while selling Girl Scout cookies to sweeten the deal. They began to look forward to my visits, not just for the novelty, but because I also kept our conversations sprinkled with sports news since my friends were members of the legendary undefeated basketball team with records unsurpassed to this very day.
Within two years, I’d consistently surpassed sales quotas and broken numerous sales records and was recognized as a Distinguished Sales Representative, another first woman and women of color to earn entrance into the formerly all- white male club. I was looking forward to the hard-earned commission checks as I’d won a lucrative contract for the company at the Indiana University Student Health Center. That dream was dashed when a blond man was hired to enjoy the fruits of my labor, and I was reassigned to another area where other reps had been unsuccessful. At this point, my dream of a cosmetics career seems a million miles away.
Disappointed, discouraged and disenchanted. I picked up and moved to Los Angeles. Then one Sunday, as I searched through the ads in the Los Angeles Times, there it was: a classified ad for a regional manager job with Revlon. I rushed to the phone first thing on Monday morning. The voice at the other end said that due to overwhelming response, Revlon was taking no more applications.
I was devasted. But then a dear friend said to me, “Marilyn, I know you aren’t going to let this opportunity slip through your fingers. Go on down there anyway.” Encouraged by the adage, nothing beats a failure but a try, I was determined to find a way to get an interview. When I arrived at the Marriott where they were conducting interviews, the desk clerk curtly informed me there was no way I could get an interview: nor would Mr. Rick English take my resume. I walked away smiling. At least I had the name of the man I needed to see.
I had come this far and was not about to leave without trying to get an interview. I decided to have a cup of tea when a whisper of wisdom from within provided me with the winning strategy. I explained my situation to the cashier as I was about to leave the cafe. She immediately picked up the phone and posed as room service to locate the room Mr. English
was in. “Room 515,” she said with a smile.
Within minutes I was knocking at the door of room 515 silently praying that things would go my way. The minute he opened the door I said, “You haven’t met the best person for this job because you haven’t met me yet.” Stunned and surprised, he said, “wait until I finish this interview and I’ll speak to you.” With my sales, management skills and experience intact along with my love for the cosmetic industry my confidence was soaring! I got the job covering the western region of the United States, developing sales strategy for haircare products, recruiting stylists to conduct trainings, salon in-services and tradeshows
I soon learned that stylists, estheticians and other beauty professionals with a winning personality committed to developing their craft could create a very profitable career. When that light came on, I earned a Cosmetology. Esthetic and Esthetic Instructor license. Combined with my Public Health Education degree sharing health and beauty tools and techniques is perfect for me.
Shortly after earning my licenses, I opened The Stress Stop Wellness Center in Oakland, CA. and founded Treasure of Egypt Aromatherapy Skincare. My holistic approach to combine wisdom, wealth, beauty and health has always been cutting edge requiring extra patience and education to help clients realize that true abundant quality of life shines from the inside out. To market my business, I made a deal they couldn’t refuse with the local newspaper for a full page selling business card size ads on the bottom half of the page to local salons along with writing a weekly health and beauty article on the top half entitled, “It’s About Your Health,” My article was syndicated into the National Newspaper Publishers (NNPA) where the column was featured in the entire 250 newspaper chain. This was a big deal in those days before internet and social media.
During my esthetic training, I noticed that there was a great deal of respect for Make-Up Artists and Fashion Pros that studied abroad. You guessed it, before long I was studying in London, where I earned my first Aromatherapy certification along with Theater and Makeup Artistry as well. My weekends consisted of doing makeup artist for top cosmetic ranges at Harrods, Selfridges and other assignments. A girl has got to eat so in the evenings I doubled as a hostess in a Fancy Chinese restaurant. All of this helped to validate my credibility as a health and beauty professional and proved to myself that I could make it in the beauty industry.
To support a lifelong love of learning, traveling and communications earning a master’s in professional writing just seemed the logical next step. After all, it is essential to tell the story correctly so that readers become invested in the plot. Numerous freelance journalism assignments and ten years teaching English and College Prep Skills at the Art Institute of Atlanta made the time and effort to pursue the degree worthwhile.
Writing for Upscale Magazine, providing Workshops, esthetics and holistic health seminars at the Bronner Brothers trade show for 25 years kept fueled my creative buzz. During those years as communications liaison with the University of Pittsburgh, Center for Minority Health an opportunity was presented in Benin City, Nigeria. Creating “Learning with the Five Senses,” workshop helped me to bond with teachers, students, and parents at a Montessori School in Benin City where that my preschool age son was attending. This was while working on a longitudinal study with the University of Pittsburgh to measure the effects of Western culture on Nigerians leaving their villages to work in Civil Service.
With the momentum at full force, next came an opportunity to share Health Education and Prevention methods with Senior Citizens at Morehouse School of Medicine. Creating the Phenomenal Woman Weight Loss Program also at Morehouse expanded skills I’d acquired as a certified Self-Esteem Trainer and Journal Writing Coach. That parlayed into a Research Evaluator assignment with the Imani Project HIV Prevention and Education Program serving high school students and their families also at Morehouse School of Medicine.
The entrepreneurial drive is always paramount in my spirit. The only thing I missed was a doctorate, so I completed the Doctor of Naturopathy, and opened a small spa in Midtown Atlanta, GA while fulfilling an Esthetic Instructor position at a local beauty school.
The health and beauty industry often segues into a variety of artistic pursuits. Who doesn’t love the creativity of television and film production. From makeup artist to making meals for the crew, I was once a reporter for BET and an associate producer for The Dream Factory, where we made the film Ali’s Comeback and numerous other exciting and noteworthy projects.
Right now, my signature programs, the 49 Days 2 Fabulous Formula, “Tools that Transform Trauma into Triumph! and The Pamper Parlor Atl, have joined the Align Wellness Center owned by Chiropractor and Functional Wellness Expert, Dr. Darnita Henry creator of the Dr. Mom Baby initiative. Our personal consultations are as unique as the fingerprint of each client. Here we provide products and services that help women and their families to live the Healthy Way through a holistic approach with Functional Medicine, Nutrition, Aromatherapy, Journaling, Soul Coaching, Spa Services, Makeup Artistry, Image Design, Yoga, Dance and Much More. Certainly, within this menu of holistic health options there is the perfect strategy to help you live your best life. We look forward to serving you, your friends and family too!
Best Wishes with Gratitude From
The 49 Days 2 Fabulous Formula
Tools to Transform Trauma Into Triumph
& Create The Life You Love!
holisticaromatherapyinstitute.com
my.doterra.com/drmarilynjohnsonnd
farmasius.com/drmarilynjohnsonnd
drmarilynjohnson.com
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?
Absolutely not, however, the rewards outweigh the obstacles. Let’s begin with the fact that I was severely burned as a toddler that served to rip my parents’ marriage apart and resulted in my mom being committed to a mental institution. That fuels my drive to explore any and all options to be the best I can be.
As the only Black child in my elementary school, I was placed in the special education corner of the classroom. Determined to prove them wrong I became the Reading Queen and was moved out of that corner. Thanks to my grandmother who provided security and guidance for me.
I was always and am still interested in music. My grandmother purchased me a piano and started my piano lessons. Shortly thereafter my father remarried and my stepmother was truly a Cruella Deville character. I realize that I needed her to learn to stand up for myself and be the best that I can be. Somehow my piano wound up on the trash heap as it didn’t fit into the remodeling my new mom as well as my day had planned..
My desire to create a family helped me to marry a man that really didn’t know how to love me because I didn’t realize my worth and value after years of trying to please people that didn’t really have my best interest at heart. All of that didn’t stop my drive because I knew deep within my soul that I am a child of God whose love is more pure and stronger than any other love. This helped me not to require any outside validation. I am so grateful for the Whispers of Wisdom from deep within and the strength and resilience to never let my dreams die.
I always knew that one day my story would be an inspiration for others and that has fueled my passion to live my life as an example and also to be happy and proud of myself. When all is said and done, the most important relationship you will ever have is the one you have with yourself. You must be number one in your life to attract others and situations that will and can support you throughout the vicissitudes of life.
We’ve been impressed with Wisdom, Wealth, Beauty, Health, LLC The 49 Days 2 Fabulous Formula, The Pamper Parlor Atl, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Please refer to the first question. To save you the pain of revisiting that lengthy task. I am the Founder of Wisdom, Wealth, Beauty & Health, LLC. I am a licensed Esthetic Instructor and Certified Soul Coach, Aromatherapist, Journal Writing Yoga, Zumba and Zumbini Instructor along with a Doctor of Naturopathy.
With 55 years of experience in sales, marketing and management of Health Beauty and Wellness industry. My expertise sets me apart as I don’t know of others who possess quite the same experience and longevity in the field.
In addition, my podcast, The Total Life Reset will be coming online this month. My practice is located in The Align Wellness Center where personalized holistic health, beauty, wellness solutions are provided. My colleague Chiropractor Dr. Darnita Henry DC is also a functional medicine expert. Together we are on a mission to share tools and techniques that make clients, family and friends live their best quality of life
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
During my formative years I was trying to be safe and shield myself from the curious and opinionated people who would have passed judgment on my mother, making comments about how mean she was. Little did they know what must have been the cause of her condition. When my father remarried, his new wife took on the identity telling everyone that she was the mother of my sister and me. The stigma of mental illness was so strong that my Dad felt powerless to do anything but go along with the charade. This helped me to become resilient and to make the best of a situation over which I had no control. I didn’t dare speak up since I was so young at the time she was hospitalized, I just wanted a normal family life. I know now that while this is my trauma, everyone has a story, a cross to bear and obstacles they must overcome. Fortunately, my Dad kept me sufficiently safe and cared for as best he could. I also knew that this situation would not be forever and at seventeen, I went off to college and the rest of my story I’ve share in previous responses.
My interests were in outdoors activities. I was a Girl Scout and a Girl Scout leader. Since basketball is the sport of choice in Indiana, attending basketball games were a passion in life. Girls were not playing then so we were cheerleaders and avid fans. A gym membership has always been a must have in my life. I began yoga at 22 and earned a certification shortly thereafter. When I moved to California, my passion for theater, dance and the arts prepared for various roles in theater and associated activities. I have programs from various performances to remind myself of my interest from time to time.
Pricing:
- Working through Bundles and Revamping Service Menuss and menus now and will submit asap
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drmarilynjohnson.com
- Instagram: @drmarilynjohnson.com
- Facebook: drmarilynjohnson, drmarilynjohnsonnd, 49days2fabulous.
- LinkedIn: DrMarilynJohnsonND
- Twitter: @49days2fabulous
- Youtube: @marilynjohnsonND
Image Credits
N/A I really do need new photos and will work to get them asap. These are what I have for now. I had a house fire and contents of my storage stolen and lost so many important images and memories or my career, however, everything here it true and not a word written by AI.
Thank You Very Much!
