Have you ever wanted to start your own business but didn’t think you could do it? ADANC wants to highlight the story of a consumer who started her own business despite her struggles with mental health.
Johna has faced challenges with a mental disability that has prevented her from being fully independent. When she was younger, Johna didn't have the support she needed to take control of her mental health. She has an incredible family, but they did not seek out the help Johna knew she needed.
This led to a suicide attempt and trouble with the law. She went on probation at 20 and on her 24th birthday, a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Her mother was an employee at the Federal Correctional Complex at Butner where ADANC’s reentry program has made a lasting impression. Johna’s mother got in contact with ADANC’s Program Manager for State Reentry, Sharif Brown.
After hearing the complexities of Johna’s situation, Sharif discussed the vital necessities that Johna needed to take care of to plan for the future.” The most important thing Sharif advised to Johna’s mother was to start now, because the prison system is designed to be a revolving door, waiting for people to re-offend.
Johna’s mother took this advice to heart and recognized the complexities her daughter would face without proper support. Without recognizing mental health affects everyone differently, it becomes near impossible to manage medication, apply for benefits or find a job that can financially support the individual’s family.
Johna was set to leave prison in June 2021, but Sharif started working with her well before that date. He utilized the independent living philosophy by simply asking her about her goals and how she wanted to accomplish them.
Johna’s biggest goal was independence, and Sharif held her to that. When she needed to go to a meeting in person to start receiving disability benefits, and she expected him to come in, Sharif said “you need to go alone.”
When speaking with Johna, you realize that Sharif working with her on being independent has not only helped her achieve her goals but has empowered her to take control of her mental health.
Johna’s ambition, her family support, and the structure provided by ADANC, and other organizations have led to perpetual growth. In less than 6 months, she obtained necessities, learned how to drive, and started her own business while getting another job that supports her and her family as her business grows.
Johna’s next step for success is to grow her business. Johna has always loved reading, and she founded her company on that core concept. “The Box by Obscurity” is a subscription-based service of curated books based on the customer’s personal taste. The goal is to “shine a light on those authors who need to be taken from Obscurity and given the appreciation they deserve.”
Johna understands the feeling of uncertainty when starting a new business, but it’s clear she’s not afraid. “Having a disability does not mean I am less than.”
