Interview: Leila Johnson, Author of Driving to Success: Let Your Spirit Take the Wheel

Book Title:
Driving to Success: Let Your Spirit Take the Wheel

Website URL:
http://www.spiritdriving.com

Social Media Links:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/spiritdriving
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/spiritdrivinginstitute
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/leilajohnson

What is your book about?
As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves  so engrossed in running the business that we lose track of the real reason we started the business. Those reasons differ from person to person and they can change over time. My book, Driving to Success: Let Your Spirit Take the Wheel, is a guidebook for entrepreneurs who want to redefine the answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. It uses a driving theme as a metaphor for how people can get in touch with what they really want to do in their business. The book has 17 exercises, or Exits, that help the reader to work through any challenges they might have and help them connect with their authentic self. The book focuses on my professional journey from college to where I am today as an entrepreneur. I weave my personal story in with practical career and spiritual advice to make it an accessible book for all entrepreneurs.

What inspired you to write your book?
I started writing the book 10 years ago. I had graduated from college with a Bachelors in Biochemistry and had entered a Ph.D. program in the Biomedical Sciences. I suddenly felt that I wasn’t on the right track. I wasn’t doing well in school, which was very unlike me. My boyfriend at the time, who is now my husband, introduced me to the idea of starting my own business. I was bitten by the entrepreneur bug and started tickering with some ideas. At the time I was looking for a book that addressed how I felt. Since I couldn’t find one, I decided to start writing it!

How did you come to do what you’re doing today?
Today, I co-own and manage a Web and communications firm called Data-Scribe (http://www.datascribe.biz) with my husband. After I left graduate school, I worked in the financial and insurance industries as a call center coach, curriculum developer, and trainer for a few years. Soon after I got married, my husband and I decided to convert our full-time employment into contract positions. We were able to move out of state, work remotely, and focus on starting our businesses. Initially my business was focused on the type of work I did for my former employer. We started getting a lot of requests from clients to work on their Web sites. We took that as a sign to merge our businesses and work together on projects. That’s it in a nutshell, but there’s more detail in my book about the different paths I took along the way.

Can you describe a typical day in your life?
In the morning, my husband and I get our toddler ready for the day. I scan our calendar and to do list to get an idea of my schedule. All of our meetings are virtual. Throughout the day, I’m either in meetings with clients, checking up on projects and team members, working on Web and communications projects, or addressing administrative and operations tasks. I also participate in marketing activities for the business which consist of updating our written communications and social media accounts. In between meetings and work, I spend time with our daughter since she is with us all day. Usually I take some time on evenings and weekends to discuss business strategies with my husband.

What do you most enjoy about what you do?
I’ll answer that in two ways. As far as our services are concerned, I like the fact that we work behind the scenes to create or support such an important part of our clients’ organizations, their Web site. As far as my direct role in the business, I enjoy reviewing how we operate our business and finding ways to improve upon it.

Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (helped to spark my entrepreneurial journey). Four-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris (I’m not there yet, but have adopted some of the techniques and am intrigued by the idea). Make a Name for Yourself by Robin Roffer (helped me to redefine my role in the business).

Can you share some business tips for our readers?
1. It’s healthy and normal for your career and business to follow a curvy path (or multiple paths) instead of a straight line.

2. Instead of trying to grow quickly, make a list of the top three areas where you need assistance. Focus on hiring employees or contractors for those areas or finding ways to streamline what you’re doing. As you get a handle on those three areas, make a new priority list for the next three, and so on.

3. Market in the way that makes sense to you. If you feel like you’ll find your audience via social media, then use that or hire someone that can help you with it. However, it doesn’t make sense to force yourself to market in a way that feels uncomfortable.

Can you share something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I love to dance and have been doing it for years. Also, I am a foodie. I guess the scientist in me is obsessed with different ways of preparing food and how foods affect your body chemistry.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to invite your readers to attend one of my Webinars to learn more about ways they can find success and contentment as an entrepreneur. Thanks for the opportunity!