Meet Tim Boatwright Johnson | Speaker & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Boatwright Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The initial inspiration for launching my own business came from a desire for financial success, influenced by witnessing both of my parents prosper in their entrepreneurial endeavors. Observing the flow of money into their hands fueled my ambition to achieve the same financial prosperity. However, as I matured and experimented with various ventures, such as selling pencils, candy, snacks, shirts, and dabbling in a few MLM endeavors, I came to the realization that a sole focus on monetary gain would not lead me to true fulfillment.

Upon reflection, I recognized that my underlying passion had always been providing value to people. Although my pursuit had initially been focused on wealth, a shift in perspective occurred as I thought about the motivations behind each of my ventures—it was about offering something meaningful to others.

During my college years, as my involvement in the clothing brand decreased, my classmates began acknowledging my presentation skills and asked for my assistance due to their own nervousness. This made me think about my own experiences with nervousness and consider what could have eased those moments. Recalling that having a mentor who shared my background and offered genuine life experiences would have empowered me, I realized the potential impact I could have on others by providing such support.

Recognizing the limit of time, I looked to books as a means to spread the same empowering messages without requiring my physical presence. In aspiring to be the mentor I wished I had, I envisioned a domino effect of empowerment and positivity, fostering a sense of community and shared strength.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Develop with Tim provides speaking services and offers a range of books. As a transformative speaker, my primary focus areas are financial literacy, entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, mindset, purpose, and goal setting. While my ultimate dedication lies with the youth, I consistently inspire individuals of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.

When engaging with young audiences, what sets me apart is the authentic connection and relatability I bring to the table. Coming from a low-income background, being close in age, and as an African American male who followed a traditional path by attending and graduating college before venturing into entrepreneurship, I bridge the gap in a unique way. Many speakers deliver great messages, but I believe my personal story serves as a lasting, relatable example for the youth – showing that they don’t have to be an outlier to achieve similar success.

My journey to this point involved taking risks, continuous learning, and building meaningful connections through networking. I take pride in growing organically as myself, rather than trying to emulate others. As I look ahead, Develop with Tim is just getting started, with exciting plans on the horizon. We welcome all opportunities, connections, and feedback as we strive to make a positive impact on a broader scale.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m currently a Greenville, SC local, and if my best friend were in town, we’d definitely hit up some of my favorite spots. For a good meal, “It Don’t Matter” and “Smokin’ Wings” are must-tries, and if we’re downtown, we might swing by either “Halls Chophouse” or “Ruth Chris.” There are plenty of other great places, but those are a few of my top picks.

For a sweet treat, you can’t beat “The Creme Shack” for the best ice cream in town. When it comes to drinks and hanging out, I’m always exploring new spots, but you can’t go wrong with classics like “Ink and Ivy,” “Top Golf,” “Vibez,” “Cigar X,” and “Red@28th” — they always guarantee a good time.

And, of course, I’d have to bring my friend along to a Young Brothers Academy meeting. It’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce them to the guys, share some stories, and make a positive impact on the mentees.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a special shoutout to Young Brothers Academy (YBA). The goal of YBA is to aid in the mental, physical, and spiritual development of our scholars so that they may become men of value for themselves, their families, and the communities they will serve. From my first encounter as a volunteer, I’ve been truly impressed by the impactful work YBA is doing.

After a few months of volunteering, I was honored to take on a more substantial role, transitioning from a volunteer mentor to the position of Community Outreach Coordinator. The friendship and trust among the fellow brothers, including Justus Cox, Breylon Jones, and Alex Simmons, goes beyond being mentors for the young men; they’ve become role models for me as well.

Through my involvement with YBA, I’ve experienced personal growth and been granted opportunities I never could have envisioned. It’s been incredibly rewarding to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. I’m enthusiastic about the good we’ll continue to accomplish in the future.

Website: www.developwithtim.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen.ceo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-boatwright-johnson-62279315b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Other: Young Brothers Academy: http://www.youngbrothersacademy.org/

Image Credits
Justin Irick