River City Six – Michael Johnson
Meet Michael Johnson, the founder of DM: Lincoln/Omaha (www.DMforBusiness.Com) and president of its parent company, Compass (www.aCompassCompany.com).
Tell us a little about your business.
DM: Lincoln/Omaha is a digital market business community designed help strengthen businesses and their community through digitally-based programs and events. We create, market, and manage virtual job fairs, digital tradeshows, provide digitally-delivered education and other cutting-edge events and solutions to help businesses and the community in today’s digital world.
How did you get started in the business?
Over the years I have worked within the digital marketing industry with a focus on chambers and associations. We initially focused on the app market but have expanded with DM because of my strong commitment and investment in the business community as a whole.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Initially, it was taking ideas and translating them into an operational business without sufficient personal capital to fund my own ideas. Once that barrier was removed, it helped move my ideas from a thought to reality much easier.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Making the decision at the age of 24 to leave my normal job and start a business with no experience. It gave me the vision and realization I needed to work for myself and control my own fate by the choices I made. The funny part is, that mostly meant failure at times. It’s ironic that my most important achievement was failing.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Leaving at 19 years old for the Air Force. I think every single person should serve in the military after high school. It taught me so much!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
My family and I were featured in the National Enquirer (no, we weren’t captured by aliens). In 1979, during the gas crisis, we were challenged to live without using gasoline for an entire month.
Who inspires you?
Retired people! I absolutely love business and working for myself, but I’m ready to look at my time completely differently. When I first started at age 24, my goal was wealth; now it’s time, and I want to share that with people.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Just keeping swimming!” – Dory from Finding Nemo. Business owners know what I mean.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Areallygreatguywhocouldalwaysbendtherulesenoughtobecreative.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?
Easy, my bowling skills.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
Bartender. I have a good heavy pour and get along with just about everyone in life.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
My mom. I’d like just one more dinner. She was famous to me.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
To learn more about DM: Lincoln/Omaha, visit www.DMforBusiness.Com. You can also learn more about our parent company, Compass (Community Offered Marketing Partnerships and Strategic Solutions), at www.aCompassCompany.com. My email address is mjohnson@compassmediallc.com. Send me a note!