Vicki Johnson On Scaling Her Way: Purposeful Growth And Social Impact Through Profellow
In this inspiring episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with Dr. Vicki Johnson, founder of the tech company ProFellow. Are you a leader looking for life-changing opportunities but don't know where to find them? Are you struggling to balance a mission-driven business with your personal life? Vicki’s journey is a powerful testament to the value of servant leadership and building a career that is grounded in your values. From her humble beginnings in Delaware to a global career in public service, this conversation reveals the songs and stories that shaped a true "unboxed" leader.
Dr. Vicki Johnson is a speaker, author, and founder of ProFellow, the leading U.S. platform for emerging leaders, linking a diverse national audience of 330,000 members to competitive fellowships, top graduate schools, and leadership development programs.
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Key Takeaways:
The Power of an Unconventional Story: Learn how Vicki got into Cornell by telling a powerful, personal story about leading a losing high school sports team, proving that your unique experience can be your greatest asset.
Finding Purpose in Service: Discover how her passion for public service led her to a career in emergency management, where she witnessed firsthand the power of national unity after the events of 9/11.
Building a Business on Your Own Terms: Hear why Vicki chose to build ProFellow as a small, mission-driven social enterprise rather than a venture-backed startup, allowing her to have full control over her values and a healthy work-life balance.
The "Bones" of a Business: Find out why she believes a company built with "strong bones"—rooted in values, a supportive community, and consistency—can withstand any challenge or economic headwind.
Vicki’s story proves that a leader's journey is a beautiful, unpredictable path, and that a mission-driven business can be a powerful force for change. Join her community by visiting ProFellow.com to start your own unboxed journey!
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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music)
Your Life is Long: How to Build a Career of Purpose, Not Just Paychecks
Have you ever felt like you have a great idea to help people but don't know where to start? Maybe you think the only way to make a difference is to start a non-profit, but the process feels too long and challenging. What if there was a better way? What if you could build a business that is driven by your mission, a business with "solid bones" that can withstand any storm? In an interview on the "No Boxes: Just Verses" podcast, Dr. Vicki Johnson shared her inspiring story of how she created a career of purpose by building a tech company, ProFellow, that helps thousands of people. This article is for you if you are ready to turn your passion for service into a sustainable social enterprise.
This article is for anyone who has a heart for public service and a desire to make a lasting impact. You don't need a business degree or a large bank account to get started. All you need is a willingness to be persistent, a commitment to your core values, and a supportive partner in your life—whether that's a spouse, a friend, or a mentor.
Step 1: Tell an Unconventional Story to Open New Doors
It's a common mistake to think that a perfect resume and high test scores are the only way to get into a top school or win a great job. But the truth is, what sets you apart is your unique story. Dr. Johnson shared how she, a student from an under-resourced high school, got into Cornell by telling a personal story about leading a losing high school sports team. She didn't talk about winning; she talked about leadership, ambition, and hard work in the face of disappointment. This story showed her true potential and opened a door that others told her was impossible.
This step shows us that the most competitive opportunities are often won by those who are brave enough to share a personal, unconventional story.
Conclusion:
Your unique story and experiences can be your greatest asset in a competitive world.
Don't rely on your grades or resume alone; find the story in your journey.
Be honest about your struggles and how you've overcome them.
Learn to tell a story about leadership that goes beyond winning.
Use your unique lived experience as the angle that sets you apart.
Step 2: Use Public Service as Your Training Ground
We often think that public service and entrepreneurship are two different career paths. But Dr. Johnson’s story proves that a heart for public service can lead to an incredibly impactful career. She shared that her father, a minister, modeled a life of service for her. This led her to a New York City fellowship in the Office of Emergency Management, where she witnessed the events of 9/11 firsthand. That experience gave her a passion for public health and national unity, which she has carried with her throughout her career.
Conclusion:
A career in public service can be a powerful training ground that gives you a unique skill set and a deep sense of purpose.
Look for opportunities to work in public service, even in a fellowship or internship.
Use every experience, even a traumatic one, as a chance to find your purpose.
Let your passion for helping others guide your career path.
Remember that a commitment to your community and to your country is a form of leadership.
Step 3: Build Your Business with "Solid Bones"
It's tempting to chase a big idea and go for venture capital to grow fast. But a common mistake is building a company that isn't sustainable and doesn't fit your personal life. Dr. Johnson's story shows us a different way. She and her husband, Ryan, chose to build their company, ProFellow, as a sustainable social enterprise instead of a venture-backed startup. This allowed her to have full control over her mission and to build a company that fit her lifestyle as a mother. She believes that a company with "solid bones"—rooted in values, a supportive community, and consistency—can withstand any challenge, no matter what happens with the economy or her personal life.
Conclusion:
Building a sustainable, mission-driven business with "solid bones" can be more rewarding than chasing fast growth.
Prioritize a business model that is sustainable and aligns with your values.
Be willing to grow slowly and intentionally to build a strong foundation.
Don’t be afraid to say no to fast money if it means compromising your mission.
Remember that the health of your business is just as important as your personal well-being.
Step 4: Redefine Your Path Again and Again
We often think of a career as a straight line, but the truth is, a fulfilling life is a series of evolutions and redefine-able moments. Dr. Johnson shared that after her divorce and writing her book, she thought her life was set. But she found love again, and she and her family made a huge pivot to live abroad. This unexpected change was a part of her "path redefined" and a new chapter of growth and joy. She's now updating her book to include these new lessons, proving that a leader's journey is a continuous process of evolution. She believes that you can redefine your path again and again, and that is what makes life so meaningful.
Conclusion:
A successful life is not a one-and-done journey, but a continuous process of evolution and redefinition.
Be open to finding love and new opportunities when you're not even looking for them.
Don't be afraid to make a big change, like moving abroad, to find your next chapter.
See your life as a series of redefining moments, not as a single, static path.
Remember that your journey is a gift, and it's your job to keep pushing and creating.
Conclusion: Your Unboxed Journey to Authentic Leadership
You've learned that a life of purpose and leadership isn't about what’s on your resume. It’s a journey of finding your authentic voice, letting new experiences drive your growth, and embracing the pivots that make your path unique. The big idea here is that your life journey, with all its unexpected turns, is what makes you the perfect leader for the moments you are in. Christiane's story is a beautiful anthem of a leader who trusted her instincts and created a career that is truly her own.
Now it's your turn to apply these lessons. Start by asking yourself:
Final Steps to Take:
What are you passionate about, and how can you let that guide your career?
What is one new thing you can learn today to expand your "exposure"?
What is one pivot you can make today to add a new skill to your toolkit?
How can you start showing up more authentically in your work and in your life?