Linda Johnson – Transforming Communities
My Signature is a compromise to excellence!
After having been in corporate America for so many years I felt the need for new experiences that would actually fulfill me. This burning desire is what led me to become a specialists in the management of community homeowners associations. Now as LJ Services Group I provided comprehensive and professional guidance for residential communities since 2000.
Education was crucial in my process to become who I am today. Having a masters degree in business administration, my CAM license and a realtor associate license, is what allows me today to provide the highest quality service while catering to the unique needs of each individual community I manage.
Several of the associations and properties I manage today were not in pristine condition when I committed to work with them. I always see the highest potential of each community and put on the work to make them look their best. This makes me feel accomplished and proud of these properties because I can physically see the changes I make; and this is why I became a property manager.
Getting my project management certification combined with all my former experience, has helped me develop these communities and associations by making them a better place to live. I simply like making everybody happy while increasing the property value as well. I guess what really excites me about what I do is the transformation and the change I can bring to a community. The process from when I first get it and begin putting my effort into it, to what it ultimately transforms into. It’s a thrill of making something into a substantially the best version of itself.
Linda what do you think are the most important qualities a woman should have to become a leader?
The qualities that a woman should have as a leader are self confidence, strength and self motivation. Persevere, never give up and always try new things! Live day-by-day not thinking you know everything. Learn something new everyday and gain more knowledge regularly.
Self motivation is very important as well as self confidence, especially in my industry because you are dealing with so many cultures and so many different environments. You really need to show that you are there and that you have what it takes to get the job done.
So whether it is on a project or simply as a woman, you want to see yourself changed and expanded. And in order to do this, you have to be self-motivated, you have to have the strength to keep on going and never give up.
What is your greatest realization in life and why?
Being a business woman helped me realize that you need to have both the strength to run a company but still need to have a “maternal woman touch” in you. Basically remain balanced.
Having raised my 4 gentlemen made me realize that I didn’t just give birth to 4 children, I actually have transmitted them all my motivation. I always tell them, if I got my masters degree you guys have to be beyond me. So having one of my sons already graduated from the University and going on for his masters at such an early age, really shows me what I’m capable of and also what I have given as a legacy to my son. That makes me realize how powerful I am within myself and my business and my family because they all go hand-in-hand. If you don’t feel complete in your personal life, that will reflect in every aspect of your life, including your business.
Where does your passion come from and when are you most fully yourself?
My Passion comes from my Grandmother who was a hardworking woman. She was the first woman in her country to have a hardware store and also the first woman to drive a truck and to wear a dress with boots. My Grandmother gave me the passion to become a business woman and never having to depend on anybody. Although you do depend on certain aspects in your life, it’s more than that, it’s the drive and passion to become better and do something that really fulfills you and my work really fulfills me.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I’ve ever faced was to start my business. I started from a garage by myself and the challenge was to grow into what I have right now. I didn’t know anything about this industry and I learned everything just by merging myself into it. Eventually I grew into having a little office and then moved to a bigger office and then into the biggest office, which is the one I currently have. The process itself has been my biggest challenge but greatest reward.
I might not be as big as all the other companies yet but I do offer quality and it comes with my heart. I provide my clients quality service and the ability to rely on me at all times. I’m not only a property or project manager, I’m also someone with the experience to show them different ways of doing things.
What have you learned about leadership, entrepreneurship and mentoring others?
Being a leader is not easy but you learn a lot by being a mentor to other people. You learn a lot in the sense that sometimes you fall but when you come back up, you have already learned from those mistakes. The same truth applies to entrepreneurship. I’ve learned that it is super hard to lead people and expect them to be what you want them to be, but you have to show them how to be the best they can by example.
As a leader sometimes you’ll have people that will follow you, but then they think they can do things better, so they try to undermine you.
I have learned that sometimes you can’t be stubborn in your ways because when you’re perceived as being very strong, people might think they can’t come up to you and offer a better solution. And sometimes other visions can add value to your business and make you a better leader. I am always open and I feel that to be a leader you have to listen to others too.
What does it mean to you to speak from the heart?
To speak from the heart means that I’m telling you what I feel deep down from inside. When I speak from the heart I’m speaking my truth.
What advice would you give to women going into entrepreneurship?
My advice to women is to be educated, to be strong and not to ever give up. We can do it and we can do it better. Know your stuff, know what you are doing and always have valid points to support what you are doing. Because as a woman it is harder if you don’t have the support to back up what you are doing and saying. Knowledge is number one in order for you to succeed followed by experience.
+1 305-864-2790
ljohnson@ljservicesgroup.com
ljservicesgroup.com
1150 Kane Concourse, 2nd Floor
Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
