Faces in Business: Alma Johnson
Alma Johnson
Co-owner/head beekeeper
Sarasota Honey Company, 1663 11th St., Sarasota. sarasotahoney.com
Q: What was the best business advice you received?
A: To have a game plan but be flexible and open to the unexpected.
Q: If you could choose another profession, what would it be?
A: I would open an education facility for special-needs teenagers, specializing in the soft skills – communication, how to interact with different personalities, work ethics and so on. The focus is always on the hard skills, like academics, but soft skills create job stability.
Q: What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
A: Quitting a full-time job and going full-time with the honey company wondering how to generate money. Starting a retail business requires shop awareness, having an overhead and all that. I now provide part-time and as-needed work to special needs young people.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you start?
A: Italy. I specialize in Italian honey bees. I love wine, I love honey.
Angie Monroe
This story was originally published July 25, 2017 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Faces in Business: Alma Johnson."