#57 San Diego Magazine's New Era: Leading with Smart Decisions and Taking Action with Claire Johnson
Episode Summary
Holly welcomes Claire Johnson, CEO and owner of San Diego Magazine, on the podcast! Claire and her husband, Troy, acquired the magazine in 2021 - it has now been in print for 76 years. Originally from New York, Claire graduated from Loyola University with a journalism degree.
Claire shares all the details around why and how her and Troy decided to acquire SDM. As well as her motto of balancing the art and science of life. Claire and Troy signed the paperwork for SDM nine days before Claire had their first baby! The next few months Claire describes as a, "trial by fire" with several unforeseen challenges popping up during that time as well. Claire shares how her and Troy leaned on each other, and their amazing team to get through the transition and come out the other side together.
On top of her CEO responsibilities, Claire also is a co-founder of the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, a love letter to all things San Diego! She also organizes (with SDM) the Celebrating Women Summit, an event to celebrate and inspire local San Diego women.
Finally, we get the inside scoop from Claire on all her favorite San Diego must-sees and dos for a weekend in town, you will definitely want to have a pen and notebook handy!
In this episode you’ll learn:
0:50 Holly's FREE Business Blueprint!
4:36 Holly introduces Claire to the podcast
6:35 Claire shares her journey leading up to becoming CEO and owner of San Diego Magazine
8:45 How the opportunity to purchase SDM came about for Claire and her husband
11:40 Trial by fire! Claire shares all the details on what the first few months owning and running SDM were like, including several unforeseen challenges
17:55 The life motto Claire follows that led to the decision to purchase and run SDM
21:55 Claire shares the media trend she saw while still at her corporate job that gave her confidence in going all-in with SDM
23:20 Breaking down the financials of purchasing a business like SDM with 70+ years of experience
29:45 All the details of the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, a love letter to the San Diego community
35:30 Claire shares how SDM has been more than a financial investment, but an emotional one as well for her and her entire family, and their goal to make the SDM "house" a home
38:10 The most important contribution a good mentor can make to any entrepreneur
38:30 Claire breaks down her and Troy's leadership approach as they came into the business as the new owners, and what she feels has been the secret to their success so far
42:05 How Claire became CEO and the division of power and responsibility between her and her husband and partner, Troy
48:22 The similar skillsets that are required to be a successful Chief of Staff or CEO
51:26 The skillset Claire has been honing since childhood as the oldest of six children in her family, and how it has helped her lead and succeed
55:56 The importance of knowing your skillset and when to hire out or delegate tasks
58:05 Claire describes SDM's ideal reader, and it may surprise you!
1:03:06 The impact AI has already had on the media industry and how Claire leverages it within her daily work life
1:08:40 The Celebrating Women Summit that Claire and SDM put on to celebrate local San Diego women
1:13:00 Claire's top recommendations for food, hotel, and entertainment for your next trip to San Diego!
1:18:45 The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2024 by SDM