Abriana Johnson (Part 1)

Beyond the Bell Tower

TRIO Alum Abriana Johnson shares exciting news with the growth of her company being able to quit her “day job” to focus full-time on Black Unicorn Creative LLC a creative solutions firm that helps businesses in the horse industry establish their digital hoof print and show up for their community online blackunicorncreative.com/. This summer, she was sought out by the New York Times and other media outlets for expertise on diversity in the equestrian industry. Abriana is the author of the Cowgirl Camryn children’s book series following an African-American girl who is passionate about animal husbandry and farm-life and she is a host of the popular podcast Young Black Equestrians www.youngblackequestrians.com/. As an Animal Science major at NC State (2010-2014) Abriana’s passion for horses, veterinary medicine, and being in charge was unbridled. Going to Vet School was her primary goal, however, when she was denied in her first attempt she pivoted and the rest is history!
Abriana wants listeners to learn a few things from the episode:
Don’t be afraid to pivot in your life plan. No one is in control of your outcomes but you.
You can be multi-passionate and still be successful. Figure out how to make your passion work for you.
Balance doesn’t exist, only prioritizing for the moment.
Impostor syndrome is developed when you are living by someone else’s standards and not your own. Create your own standards of success.
Surround yourself with people who are where you want to be, not where you are coming from. Only then can you elevate to the next level. This episode was recorded Fall 2020.