Brief Introduction
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We are delighted to shine the spotlight on Ms. Denise D. Johnson, an accomplished CEO and Principal at Denise-Danielle Strategy Consulting & Five Talents Wealth Management. With a wealth of experience and a sterling reputation in the fields of strategy consulting and wealth management, Ms. Johnson stands as a beacon of excellence in the professional landscape. As we feature Ms. Denise D. Johnson in our "Professionals in the Spotlight" series, we invite you to explore the wealth of expertise she brings to the table. Join us in celebrating a trailblazer who combines strategic insight, financial acumen, and a dedication to client success in a way that truly sets her apart in the world of business.
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What advice would you give someone just starting?
Don’t follow the same path as everyone else because in a few years you will all end up in the
same place and try anything to differentiate yourself. During the early part of my career one of
my mentors suggested not going the regular path of obtaining an MBA but find something in the
creative arts or philosophy, anything that would stretch my mind differently. He thought I would
be cheating because I grew up around business working in my fathers janitorial/window
cleaning company.
Well, I later attended photographer school, I also didn’t follow the regular path for my
professional career. In fact, when I drew out my career path a few years ago, it looked like a
confusing maze with nothing connected. However, there was this thin thread of business that
tied everything together. I didn’t realize there was a natural gift inside me for business that
would continue to mature and become perfected over the years. Today, my clients refer to me
as a unicorn or say I see in 3D because I’m able to see across the organization and how they
connect and impact each other. It’s a gifting that has not only set me apart but equipped me
with gifts and talents to help others because I can come with a totally different approach.
I won’t say it’s been easy over the years because there are many times your flying solo or the
odd ball in the crowd. But don’t let the pressure of a moment rob you of the benefit of being truly
unique and never second guess the gifts that are God given and make you different. Today as a
business architect and strategist, I’m able to help clients work through their business challenges
from how they operate to thinking about financial strategies. My ability to wear multiple hats and
view things from different dimensions has helped my clients talk through challenges and think
through solutions that truly address their business structure, operations, and financial impact.
same place and try anything to differentiate yourself. During the early part of my career one of
my mentors suggested not going the regular path of obtaining an MBA but find something in the
creative arts or philosophy, anything that would stretch my mind differently. He thought I would
be cheating because I grew up around business working in my fathers janitorial/window
cleaning company.
Well, I later attended photographer school, I also didn’t follow the regular path for my
professional career. In fact, when I drew out my career path a few years ago, it looked like a
confusing maze with nothing connected. However, there was this thin thread of business that
tied everything together. I didn’t realize there was a natural gift inside me for business that
would continue to mature and become perfected over the years. Today, my clients refer to me
as a unicorn or say I see in 3D because I’m able to see across the organization and how they
connect and impact each other. It’s a gifting that has not only set me apart but equipped me
with gifts and talents to help others because I can come with a totally different approach.
I won’t say it’s been easy over the years because there are many times your flying solo or the
odd ball in the crowd. But don’t let the pressure of a moment rob you of the benefit of being truly
unique and never second guess the gifts that are God given and make you different. Today as a
business architect and strategist, I’m able to help clients work through their business challenges
from how they operate to thinking about financial strategies. My ability to wear multiple hats and
view things from different dimensions has helped my clients talk through challenges and think
through solutions that truly address their business structure, operations, and financial impact.
What would you suggest being taught in the high school that would encourage and help students to be in business?
Critical thinking is a skillset previously taught in school but has been taken out of the curriculum
over the last few years. Unfortunately, this has impacted the ability for people to solve problems,
gather data and evaluate to find insights, and create unique solutions. It is one thing to be a
data gatherer who turns around and repeats what they have just read or overheard. It’s another
thing for someone to have insight, ability to digest data, identify useful information and how it
can be strung together for a solution. It’s even better when you have wisdom and insight to take
all that data plus experience and create something new and really unique.
There is a myth today that we are getting smarter because we have access to so much data. In reality, if you
don’t know how to scan through the noise to identify the nuggets, it’s just information that
doesn’t really lead to solutioning. In fact, it just becomes additional noise, and the problems still
continue to go unresolved. How many times have you heard the same problem being talked
about through media, your family, your friends but no one seems to have a solution? It’s
because the intake of information does not bring about solutions but it’s how to use that data
where the results change.
It's true, there is not much new under the sun. However, when you can apply critical thinking,
the ability to take all the old stuff, pull it together, and see what problem(s) are able to be
resolved because you can connect the dots. Then we have shifted into solutioning and problem
solving. I would suggest we either add critical thinking back into the school curriculum or parents
should find ways to nurture these skills into their children.
over the last few years. Unfortunately, this has impacted the ability for people to solve problems,
gather data and evaluate to find insights, and create unique solutions. It is one thing to be a
data gatherer who turns around and repeats what they have just read or overheard. It’s another
thing for someone to have insight, ability to digest data, identify useful information and how it
can be strung together for a solution. It’s even better when you have wisdom and insight to take
all that data plus experience and create something new and really unique.
There is a myth today that we are getting smarter because we have access to so much data. In reality, if you
don’t know how to scan through the noise to identify the nuggets, it’s just information that
doesn’t really lead to solutioning. In fact, it just becomes additional noise, and the problems still
continue to go unresolved. How many times have you heard the same problem being talked
about through media, your family, your friends but no one seems to have a solution? It’s
because the intake of information does not bring about solutions but it’s how to use that data
where the results change.
It's true, there is not much new under the sun. However, when you can apply critical thinking,
the ability to take all the old stuff, pull it together, and see what problem(s) are able to be
resolved because you can connect the dots. Then we have shifted into solutioning and problem
solving. I would suggest we either add critical thinking back into the school curriculum or parents
should find ways to nurture these skills into their children.
Any advice about setting up a business regarding legal/accounting?
Every business and industry have practices and functions that make them stand apart, you
should be sure to hire legal and accounting support familiar with your business type. It’s
important because they can stay abreast to the latest rules and practices how you manage and
protect your company.
Your cousin Charlie may be a great person and the primary person to handle all the families’
financials for years. However, if Cousin Charlie has no knowledge of your industry and not
willing to learn those nuances, it may be better to find another accountant. It’s better to have an
upset cousin than an upset IRS Agent tracking you down because your taxes were not properly
paid resulting from improper booking/tracking of revenues and expenses by your accountant.
It's the same case with an attorney.
It will pay off and save headache to have someone that is familiar with your business industry, the latest regulations, and how your business should be structured to protect your interest.
should be sure to hire legal and accounting support familiar with your business type. It’s
important because they can stay abreast to the latest rules and practices how you manage and
protect your company.
Your cousin Charlie may be a great person and the primary person to handle all the families’
financials for years. However, if Cousin Charlie has no knowledge of your industry and not
willing to learn those nuances, it may be better to find another accountant. It’s better to have an
upset cousin than an upset IRS Agent tracking you down because your taxes were not properly
paid resulting from improper booking/tracking of revenues and expenses by your accountant.
It's the same case with an attorney.
It will pay off and save headache to have someone that is familiar with your business industry, the latest regulations, and how your business should be structured to protect your interest.
Are bonds a safe investment?
The short answer to the question about bonds being a safe investment. It depends!
Are you comparing it to stocks or the money market?
Are you talking about corporate, government, or municipal (muni) bonds?
Long or short-term bonds?
Are the interest rates going up or down compared to how long you are going to be holding the
bond and the coupon rate (interest rate) on the bond.
In essence, the answer to the question totally depends on your current financial situation, long-
term financial goals, and how the purchase of bonds aligns to these plans. An investor could
purchase a corporate bond when an organization is doing well and a few years later the
company runs into financial issues and can no longer make the interest payments and your
stuck with the bond.
Perhaps, it would have made better sense to invest in a government, muni, or put the money into another type of investment. But on the other hand, what if you purchase a corporate bond and it has a great interest rate plus it’s convertible into stock. That may be a great long-term financial plan if you don’t have an immediate need for the finances. Investments of any kind hold some level of risk; it just depends on the level of risk an investor is comfortable taking and the type of risk willing to endure.
Risk could include interest rate risk when the interest on the bond remains the same but the market changes; consequently, your buying power changes. Opportunity risk, the risk holding onto a bond long-term with finances that could be invested into another vehicle with better rates and return.
Despite all the considerations, in some cases government and muni bonds are considered a
safe investment and you also have the extra benefits of income from the interest payments.
However, you should really evaluate your overall financial needs and see if the purchase of a
bond fits into your overall strategy. Consult a trusted Financial Advisor to help you think this plan
through and identify what’s the best strategy for your finances long and short-term.
Are you comparing it to stocks or the money market?
Are you talking about corporate, government, or municipal (muni) bonds?
Long or short-term bonds?
Are the interest rates going up or down compared to how long you are going to be holding the
bond and the coupon rate (interest rate) on the bond.
In essence, the answer to the question totally depends on your current financial situation, long-
term financial goals, and how the purchase of bonds aligns to these plans. An investor could
purchase a corporate bond when an organization is doing well and a few years later the
company runs into financial issues and can no longer make the interest payments and your
stuck with the bond.
Perhaps, it would have made better sense to invest in a government, muni, or put the money into another type of investment. But on the other hand, what if you purchase a corporate bond and it has a great interest rate plus it’s convertible into stock. That may be a great long-term financial plan if you don’t have an immediate need for the finances. Investments of any kind hold some level of risk; it just depends on the level of risk an investor is comfortable taking and the type of risk willing to endure.
Risk could include interest rate risk when the interest on the bond remains the same but the market changes; consequently, your buying power changes. Opportunity risk, the risk holding onto a bond long-term with finances that could be invested into another vehicle with better rates and return.
Despite all the considerations, in some cases government and muni bonds are considered a
safe investment and you also have the extra benefits of income from the interest payments.
However, you should really evaluate your overall financial needs and see if the purchase of a
bond fits into your overall strategy. Consult a trusted Financial Advisor to help you think this plan
through and identify what’s the best strategy for your finances long and short-term.
What volunteering or passion projects do you participate in?
I develop and facilitate a workshop called CEO Bootcamp for those needing help launching a
business idea or think through a current business situation. It’s targeted to those who have an
idea but not sure how to get things started or currently running a business but ran into
barriers/roadblocks and need help thinking through solutions.
Many of the current attendees are in various periods of transition in their lives from either losing
employment, released from jail, or homeless. Despite their current situation they have a dream
of something better for their lives but just need help to get that spark ignited. The program takes
those normally tossed aside or ignored and provides the support and business acumen to help
them develop action plans to execute their ideas.
The program doesn’t just talk attendees through their ideas or distribute templates, each
session includes discussions where all attendees help each other think through business
approach, structure, identify obstacles, and brainstorm on ideas. We validate these ideas
against their overall business design since one idea doesn’t fit all and it’s not cookie cutter.
business idea or think through a current business situation. It’s targeted to those who have an
idea but not sure how to get things started or currently running a business but ran into
barriers/roadblocks and need help thinking through solutions.
Many of the current attendees are in various periods of transition in their lives from either losing
employment, released from jail, or homeless. Despite their current situation they have a dream
of something better for their lives but just need help to get that spark ignited. The program takes
those normally tossed aside or ignored and provides the support and business acumen to help
them develop action plans to execute their ideas.
The program doesn’t just talk attendees through their ideas or distribute templates, each
session includes discussions where all attendees help each other think through business
approach, structure, identify obstacles, and brainstorm on ideas. We validate these ideas
against their overall business design since one idea doesn’t fit all and it’s not cookie cutter.
Would you like to be featured?
Share your unique perspective, success stories, and experiences by completing our short questionnaire. Confidentiality is guaranteed, and we welcome both previous and current clients. Specific accommodations for requirements and concerns are honored. You can apply through the "Professionals in the Spotlight" Interview Questions and apply today for a chance to be featured next!