INNOVATION CENTER SUCCESS SERIES

BUSINESS MATTERS

The Success Series: Dylan Johnson

graduates the Innovation Center after purchasing the perfect location

STORY & PHOTOS BY BRITTANY SMITH

Dylan Johnson worked in City Chamber of Commerce to the medical field as an inquire about renting an office at the X-ray/MRI technician Lake Martin Innovation Center. before making the “I outgrew the space I started in, decision in 2017 to step into and I wanted to buy, but I couldn’t entrepreneurship. While he enjoyed find the right location,” Johnson said. his previous job, he also saw the “So, I reached out to Jacob Meacham benefit of owning his own business. about moving into the innovation He credits his wife, Season, who is center. As it turns out, they were able partial owner of BeYOUtiful salon to offer a great space intermittently in downtown Alexander City for with a package that was put together encouraging his drive to take a efficiently, and I was there for 10 chance and become his own boss. months. It worked out very well.”

“It wasn’t always easy,” Johnson He said that the opportunity said. “Probably for the whole first that the innovation center affords year that Country Financial was start-up and small businesses is just open, I came home every day and outstanding. questioned whether I’d made the “They gave me the opportunity right choice.” to focus more on growing my

After a year of sharing an office in business and less of me having to downtown Alexander City, Johnson worry so much about overhead, realized that he needed to look for a building maintenance, bills, etc,” different office space. That was when said Johnson. “They invited me he set out to find a building that to gatherings that helped me could be purchased and meet the network, and make sure I was company’s needs. comfortable. They also made sure I

After spending hours, days and had everything I needed as far as my weeks looking space went.” Making Moves for a suitable During the 10 months that Left: Johnson's location, Johnson spent at the Innovation wife, Season designed the office interior; Next Page: The entire building went through a buildJohnson came up emptyhanded. It was then that he reached out to Center, he focused on digging his heels in and creating traction within the community for his business. He said the innovation center helped to push and drive him towards his out and remodel. the Alexander goals.

Johnson knew that in order to be successful, he was going to have to do something that most people dread. He would have to talk to people, network and get his face in the public eye, a feat that came naturally to him.

“For me, that was the easy part. I consider myself a people person, and with insurance, that is what I do. I talk to people, I build relationships and ultimately, I help them with their insurance needs,” Johnson said.

It didn’t take long for him to figure out his niche, and although he does sell all lines at Country Financial, Johnson really enjoys working with and helping small businesses.

“We enjoy working with certain types of businesses like mom and pop shops,” Johnson explained.

He said that he works with locally owned businesses including clothing boutiques, landscape companies, plumbers, truckers, heavy equipment operators, mechanic shops, car dealerships and even supply stores. The options are limitless.

“The commercial insurance world just kind of fell into my lap, like the building that I’m in now. And I am proud of both.”

In March 2020, as business boomed for Johnson due to his work ethic and determination to succeed, he signed a lease-to-own agreement for his very own office space, one with the perfect location. Since signing the paperwork, the original building has been totally renovated to suit the needs of the business. And in July, Johnson moved into the official Country Financial office space, located at 1096 Airport Drive, Alexander City.

For more information about Country Financial or speak with Johnson, call 256-414-6013 or visit the website at countryfinancial.com/dylan.johnson.