Life & Work with Tj Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tj Johnson.

Tj, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello my name is TJ Johnson I’m 30 years young I was born and raised in South Central LA. summer time 90’s babe 08/11/91 full Leo energy if you don’t already know. From day one I have always been a supper creative kid. I stayed busy, I would cut, style, & tye dye things for friends and I all the time. My family would always ask me why, but my mind was I always looking for a different look. They never knew the thrill for me was the transformation the end result of seeing what I created. From k-9 I was finding me but I new I had a vision of a different me. A energy I knew was different from what my family knew. Since high school about 10th grade I knew clothing was a passion of mine, after designing my prom dress I knew I was different. I didn’t care about anything else but the way it would flow like the girls in essence. Right after high school I worked in retail for 10 years. Every day was intentional because I saw something greater and payed close attention to how things could be done for my own. A round this time my birthday would allow me to travel. As soon as I got there it was conformation on everything I was about to go for. I fell in love with photography in new York the big apple. Manhattan to be exact. Something just felt right like it was waiting for me. The camera was a way I could caught an image and transform it into my own, it made everything much more beautiful to caught the world while it wasn’t looking. Freezing a moment for a lifetime love true value. I remembered that Shooting on RAW was something my professor always said was a must, it’s the best image of life before it was touched, all pure and natural. With knowing I got the first piece to my vision.

Again nothing you are truly passionate about can ever fully leave you. It’s called a gift for a reason because it only fits your door. After knowing this I started my brand In summer 2018, I was over working for companies that never gave back to my community. I woke up in the hood daily to travel almost 2 hours just to learn how to get out of the normal mindset I was seeing. I always wanted to start a clothing line but not just clothing, but something with substance & meaning to change your lifestyle as well. I knew it would take some time to do & after all those years of working for someone else I knew for me I was willing to go all out. But I was scared as hell. Being the ceo of a business was something I had never seen before. All the people in my family even thought I love my family for who they are. Everyone just went to work, no side hustle, big dreams or ambition for more. so I had no guide but I had all the faith in the world, I just needed some gas for my spark to caught fire. All I wanted was to give my community something full of power & grace with some ancestor energy attached to it, I had never seen a brand that came a person who looked like me and lived in the environment. I wanted everything done with class & luxury. So mid 2019, I new the logo I had needed to stand out more. Soon after my first T-shirts I started light but they stood out. I knew shirts would be a dope place to start so simply yet everyone wears them. I worked on the logo for a min & all I had was ideas but nothing was sticking I needed a logo that would out live me. Finally, I hit up my sk8 family from Atlanta, who I remembered went to school for graphic design. I sent him everything I was thinking, colors included. A few days later he came up with a few mock ups. I picked it and instantly knew it was the perfect one. Everything about it spoke of my journey, from the past, present and future. Once I got the logo, it would be effortless to put it on everything I wanted. I had worked in retail enough at this point to have my own line. I know quality was #1 and the logo was what I needed to caught people’s eye. I took my time looking for what I wanted and made sure anything I got I would wear as well. I put my heart and soul info the foundation of my brand. The beginning of March 2019 I thought to myself all these brands have slogans that u can remember, so it had to be a staple for my story not just a logo. One day I was at the gas station and a homeless lady asked for some change. Usually, I give her change and don’t think twice but today was different. I looked at her and the first thing that came to my mind was “if I really could give u change…. would it really change anything”?

I knew at that moment my slogan was born “THE CHANGE YOU CAN SEE” I made a promise to myself that I would lead with love, integrity & purpose. Right BEFORE the pandemic, I started vending and made it consistent I was not sure how far it would take me but I knew I had to start somewhere if I planned change even my life. the end of 2019, even though I wasn’t heavy on social media I knew at that this point I had to post for the brand and for the world to see because no one else would know about my brand it if I didn’t promote it. I really applied all I prayed for in real life. Prayers without works is dead I thought, “get it together for you Sis” No one else will ever believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself”. I gave myself pep talks to drive the vision God was giving me. I had downloads almost every rising at 3:00am just information I needed. Watching videos or writing in my journal, It became a blessing from God to answer questions I needed to push forward. Now here we are. The top of 2020 At this time, I had dropped a very unhealthy relationship 8 months back. From the time I let go of it until now God was opening up so many doors, I couldn’t even be mad about the outcome. It was like God was waiting for me to let go, just so I could have my hands open to receive the blessings I had been asking for the whole time. I felt a shift of energy the first time I made up my mind about my brand. I mean really make up my mind. I knew I had to up my game to elevate my community around me. I didn’t have a mentor or guide in how to start but I had faith that even if I was confused, it would all work out because my intentions were pure. I ran with my logo and kept vending every time I could until it became what it is now. I still have so much more to accomplish but I know this journey is greater than me. It’s really for every visionary walking this earth before and after me, it’s for the black sheep who might have doubts in life but is willing to bet on themselves. It’s for the power of my ancestors & The minds of those who are ready to change this world for the better. It’s manifesting nights & meditation in the rising. It’s for finding your purpose & walking in your truth.. I plan on doing so many things for my community and the world. I’m still taking it all in but I know the blessings I’m ready to give will be worth the wait. God is just getting started. I am blessed and take nothing for granted.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
let me start off by saying being a women boss people already know you are coming hard. As a black woman it’s already people who don’t think your qualified to do anything but look good. No one sees you as a business women they still just see a woman, it’s like you have to show you can wear the pants for your business but you also can wear a beautiful dress. Next you have a discount brotha and sista who think you should lower your standards of growth instead of them meeting you are your purpose for a while that got made but I learn that not everything is for everyone I had to learn to say “no its full price required’ maybe next time. Unless spirit said otherwise, I am firm on my price. Respectfully I wake up early with intention when no one is looking even when I want to roll over, I am up at the gym or planning for business. To be honest It felt good setting boundaries for me and my passion. Allowing in only my worth automatically cuts out the trash. It was rocky from the start but what has always been smooth is the grace of God. In business, no one wants to help you out for some reason, it’s always a competition energy but I was well aware of that about three months in so I took it upon myself to do my research. Money can be a factor saving and having discipline was key in order to. Double up later. Finding the right person for your brand is definitely important. my first batch of shirts didn’t come out as expected but I allowed myself to keep going and to push them no matter what. Making sure you have some funds to cover things would be a good start at least a good $200 it’s really about the drive, the test is to see if you will bet on you. It may not come out as you envisioned in the beginning but it’s important to never let go of the vision no matter how far it looks.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
It’s a brand for the elevation of the mind, it’s about manifesting and the action of self-love & value. It’s for the truth. My brand is for the whole family. I have customs, tie dye, & Taylor made garments. I have ideas on the regular so I will never be confined in a box because fashion is an expression and I have many projects to come. What sets me apart from others is my morals & integrity. I’m proud of my logo & my message young and wise, we have a message. We are choosing to change the normal way of life, letting go of the negative & holding on to the positive blessings we have learned. Unlearning trauma for us and our kids because we deserve to be at peace, they watch us & all eyes on us.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
“YOUR WALL OF FAITH HAS TO BE TALLER & STRONGER THAN YOUR WALL OF FEAR”

Contact Info:

• Email: Tiffanie_jay@icloud.com
• Instagram: @rawvisionbrand
• Facebook: Raw_vision

Image Credits:
@rawvisionproduction