Meet the Maven: Lisa Johnson

Today I am adding a new feature to the blog. There are many amazingly talented people around me who are doing incredible things. I want to showcase them and we are going to start with Lisa Christine Hillier Johnson. (Better known as Leese.) She's the one who made the awesome cards on the side of the blog. I first met her when we got stuck in a new period for lunch in middle school. We both looked around and realized that we didn't know anyone. Some how we decided to be friends and we have been ever since. What a lucky day that was for me! And what a lucky day this is for you...you get to meet Lisa, one of the kindest, most genuine people you will ever meet. Who happens to be so good at making cards that she is going to start teaching classes!

Jen: Where can I buy some of your adorable cards?

Leese: You can buy my cards online at www.leese1015.etsy.com or you can contact me directly. I don't do so well with big orders though. I do have a day job, people!

Jen: What is your day job?

Leese: Right now I am the Operations Officer for Town & Country Bank. It's somewhere I never in my life thought I would be. I'm a supervisor and pretty much in charge of the whole deposit side of the bank (which means I do everything that has to deal with your deposits, withdrawals, online banking, ATM/Debit Cards, and so on, and that I don't do loans). One day, though, I hope to completely remove myself, career wise, from banking. My goal is to someday be a freakin' awesome mom who has a successful, creative side job.

Jen: What got you started?
Leese: The reason I made the first few cards is because I had just left a job where I had a lot of customers that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to. I decided to make the cards to tell them why I left and that I had enjoyed helping them over the years. Now I pretty much make them to keep myself this side of Postal. They calm me down, center me, otherwise my right-brained side starts freakin' and it's not pretty. They help me realize that I'm not just "that bank girl". I'm so much more than what most people see and the cards help me show people that.

Jen: What do you like to do when you aren't making cards?
Leese: I love to hang out with my HOT husband! I love to go to the Movies! I like to see friends and family when I can. I love certain TV shows; The Office, Big Bang Theory, Supernatural, Biggest Loser, (don't bother me when those are on). Last but not least I love to take pictures! Hopefully a hobby that will turn into a career someday.



Jen: So it's true that you are a photographer too?

Leese: Yepper! At least an "aspiring" photographer. I've done family pictures, senior pictures for a friend, and some baby photography. I'm trying to expand my non-human portfolio too. I have a great picture of a cow.

Jen: What would you do if you won a million dollars?

Leese: Buy a house, get a puppy, quit my job, have some kids, totally pursue my photography. All in that order. I can't have kids till I have a puppy and I can't have a puppy until I can have a house. It makes sense to me, it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else. But if you want me to attempt to explain it, just let me know.