Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Johnson, MBA.
Hi Jason, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was raised in Tucker, Georgia, a suburb about twenty (20) minutes outside of Atlanta. After graduating high school, I was accepted into Morehouse College, where I majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. I also hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Mercer University and am certified in Diversity Equity and Inclusion Management. Currently, I am continuing my pursuit of education at Mercer, studying for my Master of Accountancy (MAcc).
During my time at Morehouse, I was an Emma Joe Adams Bonner Scholar where I was able to perform over 5,000 hours of community service within the west-end community and I also served as treasurer for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) student consortium. While managing my education and extracurricular activities, I maintained employment as a Teller for First Union Bank which, through a few different mergers, became what we know today as Wells-Fargo Bank. At one point, I was employed by Wells Fargo as a Teller, the Holiday Inn as a front-desk agent, and lastly a Host with Sprint together with Nextel. Each job provided part-time hours, so I worked all three of them to make some extra cash. Eventually, I would let go of Wells Fargo and Holiday Inn after getting promoted to Sales Representative at Sprint. My time at Sprint honed my selling skills, and after being terminated for arguing with a co-worker, I learned a valuable lesson about managing my emotions in the workplace. After graduating college, I worked in a number of different industries. I worked in web marketing automation, healthcare market research, the restaurant industry, a technology start-up, big-box retail, real estate, the non-profit sector, the legal field and lastly construction. My proclivity to hold multiple jobs at one time and or move from one job to the other made me the source of most jokes amongst family and friends when discussing employment. Today, it has become my strength.
In 2016, after serving as Market Manager for the Atlanta Community Food Bank and piloting the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) Fresh Market initiative, where I led over three hundred (300) volunteers in the distribution of more than thirteen (13) tons of fresh produce throughout South and Northwest Atlanta, I got a job offer in Florida that would, in my eyes, provide a fresh start for my career. It seemed like the perfect scenario. However, about ninety days into that situation, things began to go left and after roughly two years of trying to make things work, I was forced to pivot. I returned to Atlanta and looked for a new opportunity.
During my search, I came across a job posting that was literally made for me! It was a consulting role with a local CPA firm and after applying and interviewing for that role, I was hired and have been with them ever since. This God-given role allowed me to tap into each facet of my now 20+ years of work experience and much like the folks that I was now consulting, I had an entrepreneurial spirit. Oh yeah, I forgot; while working all of my jobs, I also pursued entrepreneurial endeavors like marketing consulting, solar energy and writing to name a few. My new role would actually require that range of experience to successfully service clients…it was a match made in heaven!
After being hired, I was tasked with servicing a large state agency client that is a part of the transportation industry. In my role as a consultant, I would assist hundreds of business owners, who were interested in contracting with this state agency. Today, I am a Business Analyst and Consultant who works with Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Veteran Owned Business Enterprises (VBEs) who are interested in participating in state contracting.
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?
The road has definitely not been smooth. For me, my challenges have been vast. Along the way, I have had to deal with environmental, economic, and social constructs to name a few. Words like dishonesty, exploitation, racism, prejudice, betrayal, jealousy, and inequitable pay pretty much sum up my general struggle. Aside from those self-inflicted wounds created by my missteps along the way (which I take full accountability), my challenge has been with systemic barriers to entry, unconscious bias, prejudice, and racism that has so comfortably nestled itself inside of the corporate culture. Today, as a seasoned professional and certified diversity equity and inclusion manager, I would hope to curtail these instances for myself and others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my current role as Business Analyst and Consultant, I work with Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Veteran Owned Business Enterprises (VBEs) who are interested in successfully participating in state contracting. As an Analyst, I scrutinize For-Profit business entities throughout the state of Georgia and determine their DBE eligibility in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26. As a Consultant, I train, educate, and advise small business owners. I even collaborate with professional organizations and private corporations, while developing and implementing strategies that assist firms with increasing their success when bidding on projects.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for?
I am known for my outstanding service, expertise in state contracting and my ability to provide meaningful insights to clients to increase their chances of winning government contracts.
What are you most proud of?
In total, I have played a vital role in helping my clients secure close to $50 Million dollars in state contracts.
Also, I pride myself in creating meaningful relationships with my clients that allow them to trust my process even though they may not fully understand my method. I am big on results and being a man of my word!
What sets you apart from others?
I truly can relate to these business owners. Why? Because I am a business owner as well. I am a consultant who not only has theoretical knowledge (B.A., MBA), but I also have practical knowledge (20+ years of working experience). My ability to take complex concepts and communicate them in a “digestible” way while imparting theoretical and practical concepts makes my service offering unique. Clients can feel my passion for business and my heart of service. I truly want my clients to succeed because I see myself in most of them. I am currently writing a book to help business owners navigate the rigors of state contracting.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
As a fourteen-year-old, I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis. I found out while at the doctor’s office getting a physical for the upcoming football season. I had played street ball previously and this was my first year playing organized ball. Boy, was I excited! During my physical exam, the doctor noticed that I had severe curvature of my spine and was unsure if this posed any danger to me while playing football. The middle school schedule wasn’t very long and while I waited for my appointment with a specialist to be cleared to play, half the season had passed. By the time I was approved to play, I knew that my next few games were most likely the last chance I would ever get at playing football.
My first two games, I showed tremendous talent and during my last game, I scored two touchdowns (approx. a 50-yard and a 40-yard) and made a few exceptional tackles. Till this day, I cherish those touchdowns and tackles because that was the first and last time, I was able to play a game of football. Months later, I would have corrective surgery. Although I couldn’t play football any longer, I no longer had scoliosis. Today, as an adult, I think that was the right decision and those touchdowns bring me great joy when I think about them. What a great way to end it!
Contact Info:
- Email: jjohnson@consultvynko.com
Image Credits
Jeancarlo Gomez
