Meet: Dr. Marilyn Johnson

Greetings Everyone,
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Thanks so much for stopping by to meet me here on this amazing Glambitious Platform. I am so honored to be featured in this great publication and I am so proud of the effort Lillie Mae has made to create an encouraging community for likeminded women to support each other in living their dreams.  Helping others reach their full potential by Living the Healthy Way with Dr. Marilyn Johnson (Dr. MJ) is my life purpose and the wind beneath my wings. 

Like you dear reader, I have many interests and accomplishments of which I am very proud. For the sake of time and space, I’ll narrow it down to a few that may be of greatest interest to you.  Following a brief career as a manager of a McDonalds franchise in my home town of Indianapolis, Indiana, I landed a Job in Pharmaceutical Sales, however, after being overlooked for promotions on numerous occasions, it was time to move on.  California was my next stop where my dream job in the Health, Beauty & Fashion Industry marked a major turning point personally and professionally.

As the first Black Woman to hold a Management Position with Revlon-Realistic HairCare Division, the brand-new company car, expense account and travel perks were great even though the salary was small because I lacked negotiation skills.  At that time, I wasn’t even aware that negotiation was possible, I was just thrilled to get the chance to learn the business.  This position required me to fly coast to coast each month to servicing key accounts in the beauty supply and retail industries, organize trade shows and events to promote a positive image as Revlon was just beginning to court Black Beauty Professionals. 

There were no social media or cell phones in the 80’s so traveling solo got pretty lonely; besides discrimination and harassment were routine experiences since a young black woman checking in and out of fine hotels like the Plaza in New York City and the Palmer House in Chicago on a regular basis looked like another type of business.   Inspired by Madame Walker, if she could make millions in the 18thcentury, I should be able to do the same.  Revlon became history as my loyalty to the California Curl, Care Free Curl, Johnson Products, Afro Sheen, World of Curls, Cream of Nature and others which were all Black owned were the encouragement for me to become an entrepreneur.

In 1983, I opened Rainbow Moods in a tiny stall in Swans Market Place in Oakland, CA where I performed makeovers, sold cosmetics & natural health remedies.  Business was slow and marketing was very expensive so the business soon closed.   Inspired by the results I’d realized from a great Esthetician who cleared up my acne, I became a Licensed Esthetician traveled to London to develop a Make-Up artist career in both Harrods and Selfridges for luxury lines like Charles of The Ritz and Yves St. Lauren. And of course, Fashion Fair.  Another first for me was to be the featured Make-Up Artist at the Wembley Arena for another brand name cosmetic firm who refused to pay me the promised rate and then asked me what could I do about it.  I never worked for their product again In America or Abroad.

Mind you, the novelty of being a young adventurous Black woman really worked to advance my career, however, being a dependable industrious and resourceful worker kept the freelance work coming as it does to this very day.  While in London, I noticed the healthier more natural lifestyle and was introduced to essential oils used in Aromatherapy.  The next turning point in my life was when I received my first Aromatherapy Certification from Silvana Casani, Crystal Aromatics while in London.  That was 32 years ago, and I am the poster child for the benefits to prove “Aromatherapy Makes Good Scents,” which is the title of the booklet I wrote years ago while on a medical research project in Nigeria, West Africa.  The book explains all about the basics of the Art & Science of Aromatherapy.  The adventure in Nigeria is another story.  If you’d like to know about it, send me a message.  Here in America, I was a researcher and educator at Morehouse School of Medicine, working with AIDS Prevention Programs with teens, their families and teaching Senior Citizens how to live and eat healthy on a fixed income.
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Entrepreneurship requires constant reinvention.  The Day Spa industry began to take hold and I saw a gold mine as facials, massage, and body wraps were a new and growing niche that called my name.  To meet the demand, “The Stress Stop Day Spa,” in the Flat Iron Building in Oakland, CA on Broadway Avenue was born.  There was a chiropractor Dr. Bonita Bruce in the building along with my former husband Dr. Kofi Kondwani, a Meditation Teacher, who rented an office across from mine. Together we are considered pioneers in the holistic healing model of healing.  

To solve the marketing dilemma, I negotiated a Health & Beauty page in the Oakland Post, a Black owned newspaper.  I wrote a column on the top of the page and sold small ads to beauty salons around town and the business began to grow.  Things were starting to blossom, however, the health of my clients became a major concern which motivated me to study to become a Naturopathic Doctor and obtain a certifications in journal writing and life coaching.  Along the way I earned a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing as well as my Esthetician Instructor License.
  
In the midst of this activity, I got married, had a son, Heru, moved to Iowa, started the very first chapter of NAFE (National Association of Female Executives) worked to develop a speaking career and earned a  Master’s Degree in Professional Writing. When my marriage ended after 14 years, some deep soul searching was in order.  To heal myself and now others, the 49days2fabulous formula was conceived, written & compiled into a timeless template of tools that transform any trauma into triumph while writing your way to wisdom, wealth beauty & health. Based upon the Chakra System the seven-step system balances the mind, body, spirit & money to promote the confidence and peace of mind required to help myself and others live the live they deserve, however, the nature of life is to grow.
  
Creating the life you love is one thing, maintaining and sustaining it is quite another.  I currently offer Holistic Health & Lifestyle Plans and provide Spa Parties and Services to groups and individuals. Since life is a continual growth process where the joy is in the journey, The N.A.K.E.D. Nation (Negative Attitudes Kill Expectations & Dreams) is the next level in personal development programs from the Fabulous Formula. Here is where positive people who believe that life doesn’t happen to you it happens for you, come together for personal and professional growth. The NAKED Nation will be launching soon so be sure and stay tuned.

Best Wishes with Love and Gratitude! Remember always settle for more! Live A Fabulous Authentic Life NAKED!  I have a special gift for you.   Be sure to visit 49days2fabulous.com to claim your free gift, 50 ways to use essential oils that will support you on your personal path to perfection.  I look forward to serving you soon!
 
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