We had the good fortune of connecting with Elisa Johnston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elisa, how does your business help the community?
The goal of my business is to empower everyday people to change the world. I guide people through the 5-Phases of Rising Up, helping them go from surprise about in injustice to action, and then a holistic lifestyle. I’ve started non-profits to help everyday people do something about human trafficking and created a guide for parents to teach their kids about mercy and justice. Hopefully, any one who reads a blog post or watches an IG reel will be inspired to action, find a path to take part in a social movement, or give back–even if it is simply smiling at a stranger they’d otherwise ignore!

Despite this being the whole mission of Average Advocate, I’ve actually found making sure my actual business holds to the philosophies I teach people is a little more challenging! For example, when I started, I claimed I would give 1/3 of the profits back in some way to make the world better. I told people to hold me accountable, but I’ve found it actually challenging to keep track of, and if I am honest, sometimes greed peaks it’s head in the window and temps me to not be that generous. Besides, it would just be easier to keep that money in profits. Have you ever made a commitment for the good of others and found it hard to stick with? You aren’t alone!

Currently, I am thinking of moving to become a B-Corp to help me be the type of generous business I want to be.

In addition, recently I have begun revamping some of my coaching services. Coaching is usually high cost, which makes sense–we have to earn money to keep our businesses floating. But for the most part, the only people who hire coaches are people who can afford them, often in the upper middle class or above.

As someone who teaches people about the intersection between lifestyle and justice, I just can’t be okay with that. How can I claim to care about racism, or lack of opportunity in the systems, and just be another perpetrator? Hence, I decided to both greatly lower my coaching fees and offer a buy-one-sponsor-one coaching model. I’ve never seen any other coach do this, so I don’t know if it will work! However, I hope that each time someone purchases a coaching session they consider choosing the option that provides coaching for someone that might not have the same resources or opportunities they have had.

Hopefully it is these integrated practices of living justly in my everyday business will make the world more equitable, just and beautiful!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always defined myself as a creative, dabbling in all types of art. But writing has always stuck for me. As I engaged the world doing humanitarian work in early adulthood, writing about social issues became my outlet.

I really struggled though as a young mama, once I started trying to make a difference and raise a family. Learning how to still make a difference–and believe I still could–from my everyday life was a huge hurtle to overcome. In fact, it took nearly a decade with a lot of mistakes along the way.

What is unique about the way I create–from making online resources, to writing articles, to IG movies and founding organizations–is that it always has the everyday person in mind. I know it is hard to engage in the horrific things going on in the world as a parent, someone who holds a job, being busy caring for aging parents. Adulthood has so many responsibilities. It often crushes our young idealism that we can make a difference.

My goal is to help people reengage, giving them ways and guidance on how to do it well, while talking about life authentically. I don’t feel the need to be fancy or put on a front. I am just me, another everyday person trying to make a difference. But, together our little actions add up to change the world.

If there is one thing I hope you walk away from my content believing is that you too can make a difference, and it is worthwhile to try. Without that believe, its hard to even start without getting discouraged!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend visit, first I’d go hiking up in Anne’s Canyon, Torrey Pines, or maybe up toward Mt. Laguna or one of the trails in Poway. We’d defintely grab some coffee from King’s Craft, Coffee & Flowers or one of the many great snobby coffee shops downtown. A walk through Liberty Station, is a must too, ideally with some bobba tea in hand from 85C. Balboa Park at sunset one evening, another at Glider Port with a picnic. We might go to El Barrio Logan for to get some culture and history, walking down to the water where they used to have canneries. Or maybe we’d stay North, enjoying the beach at Del Mar, watching the trains go by. If we could sneak in Sea World, Birch Aquarium or petting the wallabies at the Safari Park, I’d be so happy! We might eat a nice meal at Yanni’s and of course, all visitors need to try some San Diego fish tacos and eat a burger at In-and-Out. I have a lot of favorites in San Diego, but these are my go-to’s!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hope*Writers has become a foundational part of me growing as a better communicator. I’ve participated in various other Masterminds and taken courses, but this business has not only provided me with the education I’ve needed to bring my “words of hope” to the world, but they have provided networks and the relationships I’ve needed to succeed–which has been even more powerful than information! Recently, I became a contracted coach for their creatives simply because I have been so impressed with their values as they come alongside writers, podcasters, speakers and others. I am grateful for them!

Website: https://AverageAdvocate.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/averageadvocate/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averageadvocate/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/averageadvocate

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AverageAdvocate/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/elisasue

Image Credits
Michaela Jimmez

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