Life Lessons about Living Intentionally with Tori Johnson

Tori: [00:00:00] There is nothing stronger than having gratitude. It just lends itself to so many things, whether that’s positivity, but also to purpose. It’s so much easier to be intentional with your life if you have gratitude for it. 

Hope: Do you want to wake up feeling like you’re stepping into who you’re meant to be?

Into the best possible version of you? What if I told you that the key to your best life, health, and happiness are all around you? You just have to find what works for you. I’m Hope Pedraza, and I believe that there isn’t just one way to live a healthy and meaningful life, and that all you need is a little inspiration to make changes that last from the inside out.

Each week, I’ll be sharing tangible tips and inspirational interviews to help you on your journey. These are the steps to take to improve your life and live with purpose. This is Hopeful and Wholesome. Hey y’all, thanks for listening today. Today, I have on the show Tori Johnson. Tori is the owner of Storybook, which is a PR agency in San Antonio, Texas, [00:01:00] as well as a lifestyle blogger.

Today we talk about her journey as an entrepreneur and the struggle that goes into finding that work life balance when you’re running your own business. We found that our common theme in this episode was all about living intentionally and practicing gratitude. I know we could all use a little inspiration and gathering more opportunities to show gratitude now.

So enjoy this episode, my friend Tori. Okay, y’all let’s get going. I’m really excited to bring on Tori today. Me and Tori are going to talk about her journey as an entrepreneur, as a blogger and just everything she’s got going on in her life. So thank you so much for joining me today, Tori. 

Tori: Absolutely.

Thank you so much for having me. This is really exciting and breaking up the days of quarantine. 

Hope: Totally. Totally. Human interaction. 

Tori: Yeah. 

Hope: So, uh, for all the listeners out there, can you tell everybody a bit about your brand Storibook and what you’re doing with that? 

Tori: Sure. So, uh, My brand is a little bit different from many others.

It started as a pr and [00:02:00] marketing agency about 11 years ago And at that time I also simultaneously started my blog So I have a little bit of a different concept here where I have a pr marketing agency that has a blog tied to it but really what we’re doing is kind of striving to focus on bringing a The digital mediums of pr and merging them with the traditional ones as well So And the blog is a little bit separate from that in terms of an outlet for women, other entrepreneurs, and all of us just trying to figure it out.

Hope: Totally. Totally. And where did you get your inspiration for your blog? Like, where did that come from? 

Tori: Sure. So really, honestly, with started about 11 years ago, I was kind of. It was actually pregnant and I had decided to leap off a cliff and start my own agency Probably maybe not the best time to do it when you’re pregnant But I did it anyways, and I was very blessed to have a husband who [00:03:00] supported me So I started my agency at that time and then the blog I really wanted to have an outlet to To talk about my new journey as an entrepreneur, but also my journey as becoming a mother.

I had family that lived overseas. And so this was my way to connect with them. And it started just a little bit about sharing my life, my faith, my beliefs, and really it kind of grew from there. 

Hope: Yeah, because you’ve got quite the following now, like you’ve really grown this thing. 

Tori: Oh, thank you. I like to say I have a wonderful community of like minded individuals.

Primarily women, but there are some men out there as well, but I truly love my Community, it’s such, it’s a wonderful outlet of creativity, but also for inspiration. That’s one of the things as humans, we’re called to, to be connected with one another. So it allows me to connect with others. 

Hope: Yeah, absolutely.

So then what was that jump like for you jumping from, you know, you [00:04:00] have, I guess I’m assuming a corporate like corporate setting, right? And then you’re on your own. And while you’re pregnant. 

Tori: Yes. Yeah. Yeah. I can tell you it was, it was very challenging. At the time I was serving as vice president for a private PR agency out of Dallas and I was running a wide variety of their national campaigns and running, you know, different media campaigns across the country and was not home that much.

Really, I, I kind of realized that, you know, I had a baby coming and I wanted to be a part of that child’s life. And so we made the best decision for us. I was very blessed to have a client that wanted to start with me right from the beginning. They’re still a client today. Yes, 11 years later. They’re still with me today.

It’s Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa. I talk about them all the time. 

Hope: Oh, yeah, I know them. 

Tori: Yes, they’re wonderful. And so I was able to start my company and then really started building up from [00:05:00] there, looking for other clients that we could benefit. I look for clients that, you know, we’re truly a partner. It becomes like a family.

And then we’ve gradually been able to add some wonderful staff on and truly create a, a company that can provide everything all the way from design, public relations, marketing, social media management, you name it, we probably do it. 

Hope: Yeah, that’s incredible. So how is your I really hate the term work life balance, but I’m going to use it.

What is that work life balance for you? Because you have the blog, you have a family, you have your PR firm. So what does that look like? Like, how do you wear all the hats and put it all together? 

Tori: Well, do you mean before coronavirus?

You know, to be honest Work life balance is always a struggle. I can’t admit to that I will say one of the things when I founded my company is I wanted to provide opportunities for [00:06:00] women and men and parents to Really try to find an opportunity for work life balance So we do try to work on that and we value that but you know, I can also You know be completely honest with you as a mom as a wife as a business owner It’s a constant struggle is something i’m always trying to figure out and i’ll probably never figure out.

Hope: I don’t know if they will. Yeah 

Tori: And now i’m trying to be a homeschool teacher, too Let’s just throw that on there too. I i’ve got this. 

Hope: Oh my gosh. How is that going? That sounds like A nightmare. My kid is not in school. Thank God. So he just gets to play all day, but 

Tori: Oh, that’s wonderful. Well, that is a challenge as well I have an eight year old who’s in third grade and I also have a four year old who’s in pre k We’re trying to get ready for kindergarten But my eight year old who’s in third grade, he’s also in Spanish immersion.

So for any moms out there who are, you know, [00:07:00] feeling crummy about having to homeschool, imagine if not only you had to learn how to homeschool, but you’re having to also try to figure out how to do it in Spanish. And it’s not your first language. No. 

Hope: Well, I bet you’re probably learning a little bit out of this, right?

Are you picking up some Spanish? 

Tori: Oh my goodness. You know what? I can tell you like throughout the entire The situation with COVID 19 I really have I think all of us can say we have learned so much whether it is how you know to be a teacher and to appreciate teachers so just learning to value what’s really the most important in life.

I keep saying and I think we’ve many of us have heard this before it feels like God kind of hit the pause button. 

Hope: Totally. 

Tori: And I really feel that. It has given me a chance to pause, to prioritize, to spend time with my family, to be grateful, and have gratitude, and also decide, you know, once we go back and [00:08:00] resume what our lives were, we can probably make a lot of decisions on, you You know, what do we want to go back to?

What do we want to resume? 

Hope: Exactly. No, I think that’s a really good point. I think that’s a good lesson in all of this for sure. Because I know a lot of us don’t want to, we don’t really want to go back to exactly how things were before, right? I mean, we’ve had this depreciation on life. I think you’re right.

So, how do you set boundaries for yourself? And learning, to be able to prioritize you as well. I mean, you know, self care is important. So, how do you set those boundaries? 

Tori: That’s a great question. I would say that in previous years, I have not been the best at saying no. And I found myself being very overwhelmed.

I was running all over the city going to, you know, tons of events. Was on a variety of boards and, you know, I have a lot of different things that I’m passionate about and I really spread myself too thin where I, where I couldn’t focus on my family and, you know, focus on building my company and such, and so really it’s learning to say no, and it’s hard [00:09:00] because.

If you’re like me, you kind of see everything as an opportunity. And it’s really hard when, you know, you see the potential for something to say no, but you really have to get yourself to focus on what are the things that you really value and what are your ultimate goals? But also in terms of self care, which I do believe is important as well, you know, like they say, if mom is not happy, nobody’s happy.

And so I try to do things like working out. I know that’s something that’s really important to you. So working out, taking time to, you know, maybe go get a little facial, get outside, read a good book, take a good bubble bath, you know, really take time to be grateful in those moments as well. 

Hope: Yeah, for sure.

So how have you stayed focused? Like where does your drive and your passion, your inspiration come from? Is that just something that’s like innate in you? Is it something that’s left over time? 

Tori: You know, I think [00:10:00] I have way too much drive I definitely have I think I inherited this I definitely Inherit a strong work ethic from both of my parents my mother as well as my father very strong in their own careers So i’ve had them to look up to Sometimes I wish I had a little less drive.

Hope: Right, right. I feel like that makes sense. 

I know, it totally does. I feel you on that. Um, but Calm down. I tell myself that. Like, calm down. 

Tori: Yes, just calm down. Yeah, it’s gonna be okay. But, you know, you, you just have to kind of focus that drive and As I think, as I’ve gotten older and continue to get older, I’ve, I’ve learned how to focus that better and you know, some things that I used to focus on, I don’t focus on as much anymore and that’s okay.

Hope: Yeah, for sure. So let’s talk a little bit about, you had a health scare not too long ago and kind of the lessons you’ve gleaned from that. Can you tell us what happened [00:11:00] with that? 

Tori: Sure. Well, you know, thank you for asking on that. I will say that was that it’s my health has not been the best in the past.

I’m very grateful to be doing very well now, but about I’ve always had some heart issues. And I right after college, I got my first pacemaker. Wow. And During some heart procedures following that they found that I had a hole in my heart and so I knew I had a hole and sure enough about four years ago, I was at home alone with my boys and knew I was having a stroke.

So it was a very scary time. But luckily I had had doctors that had because of the hole in my heart, they had told me the possibility of stroke. So had they they had prepared me so I knew what was happening. And Had, you know, I had God by me the whole time. And, you know, there was a lot of challenges that came from having the stroke.

And then I did have a subsequent surgery from there to cover [00:12:00] that hole in my heart and went to Houston for an implant for that, but it really has changed the way I think it’s changed who I am as a person and the way I. Look at life. I think it probably also contributed to that drive that we’re talking about.

Hope: Yeah. Yeah. 

Tori: Because I do do feel like God has a purpose for me. And I’m very grateful to one have survived it. But to to be able to even have a full conversation with with here today. And, you know, was able to heal from the effects that came from that stroke that I did suffer with for a time. So, yeah. It just changes your mentality a little bit and how you look at life.

Hope: Yeah. What was that recovery like? How long was that? Well, what did that entail? Because I’m assuming it would have been a process, right? 

Tori: Yes, it was a big process because first when I had the stroke, I did face some things such as aphasia where it was very hard for me to speak. [00:13:00] I went through some struggles of trying to, went through therapy and things to assist with that.

I actually had a friend who was a therapist who helped me through that time. And then subsequently, you know, we talked about obviously the, the surgery and that was a hard recovery after that closure. And you know, you just press on through and you always, there’s always somebody who’s going through something much worse than you.

This is a perfect time. We’re all going through a really hard time right now. And we have to be I know I keep talking about gratitude, but it really is something that’s important to me I say like having an attitude of gratitude 

Hope: yeah, for sure 

Tori: and that’s something we all kind of need to embrace right now and When times when we’re having struggles whether that’s health or marriage or children or anything going on in life. 

Hope: Yeah, no, I agree for sure So with you you were talked about having your purpose and like kind of You I guess [00:14:00] discovering your purpose and I talk a lot about that on this podcast And so what was and I’m sure this started well before your stroke, but how did you find?

What was kind of your journey to find your purpose? Like was it something you found when you were in school? How did that purpose reveal itself to you? 

Tori: You know, I wouldn’t say that I have completely found my purpose I think that’s something that i’m, you know, always praying to be revealed to me and it’s something that i’m always trying to Access and sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint.

What is our purpose in life? It’s such a huge question But I will say You know, it’s just continuing to, it’s continuing to evolve. It’s not something that I would say I have found at any point in time. It’s not something I can say. I had a stroke and my light bulb went off and I now know exactly what my purpose is in life.

I truly don’t know, but I am constantly seeking it. Mm hmm. 

Hope: And what do you find helps you the most? [00:15:00] Like, what inspires you? What gives you the inspiration that you need to find that? 

Tori: Oh, well, um, obviously you can tell I’m really strong in my faith, so turning to God’s Word is obviously very inspirational to me.

But also others. I’m blessed with an incredible best friend who, you know, my friend Akilah, and she inspires me on a daily basis. We turn to each other constantly. My family, my husband, my husband is the foundation of our family and I turn to him so much as well for advice and for someone who has a completely opposite side of the brain than I do and helps give me perspective You know, it’s it’s others.

It’s really looking at others to you know, looking for that source of inspiration and others I love that. I love connecting with people and obviously you do as well. 

Hope: Yeah, for sure. Yeah I mean, I feel like that’s what I mean, that’s what life’s about, right? It’s connecting and helping out each other on their, everybody has their own separate path versus to help [00:16:00] each other on that path, right? Yeah.

Tori: Absolutely. Absolutely. I 100 percent agree. 

Hope: Yeah. Yeah, for sure. So do you have anything that you do To kind of help with your mindset, cause, like, to stay focused, do you have any, any tricks or tips or, I’m sure, I mean, you are strong in your faith, so I’m sure prayer has a lot to do with it, but how do you keep your mindset, cause I’m sure you have days, just like everybody, where it’s like, your mind is not in it, and you’re a lot, you’re, you’re like, this day sucks, And I can’t get out like, how do you, what do you do for to keep your mindset where it needs to be? 

Tori: That, you know, it is so true, you know, I’m obviously when we’re having an interview and I can tell you about all those positivity and now I’ve done so good at, you know, X, Y, Z, I can tell you like there are days where I have hit.

rock Bottom and I’m in a bad place and it’s good to admit that too And so in terms of things that I do obviously prayer my devotionals are my biggest help to journaling Obviously [00:17:00] blogging if you don’t have a blog, you know, just get out a piece of paper and write Sometimes you just need a word down.

You just need to get it all out and then you can feel better cathartic The same thing of you know working out Even just going for a walk and getting some fresh air and stepping away helps kind of rebalance all of your thoughts. I’m also a big fan of Erin Condren’s planners and for me planning Really kind of gives me that sense of focus and also like in times like this It gives me a little sense of control.

So maybe I have this much control when everything is so uncertain right now 

Hope: Sure 

Tori: So planning can really help with that because it serves a little bit as journaling and I keep looking over here because I literally have my Erin Condren planner sitting next to me right now. 

Hope: Tell everybody where they can find that because I, I don’t have one, but I hear about this all the time.

Tori: Oh my goodness. So well, disclaimer, they are client of mine, but I would tell you about them even if they weren’t a client, [00:18:00] but this is my Erin Condren life planner and it literally is planned out my entire life. Um, My children’s schedules to my crazy work schedule to even documenting my husband’s travel schedule It’s it’s everything.

Yeah, but it also has areas where you can write notes again Those times that I mentioned on journaling it’s filled with inspirational quotes 

Hope: Yeah, 

Tori: so you can see this one here Passion and purpose give you progress. 

Hope: I love it 

Tori: so it’s just it’s really just a little piece of happy and Control in my life that I love and that’s something that serves me personally as well as professionally I think that’s a good tip for everybody.

Hope: No, I love that. That is a good tip Spell that out because I want to put that i’ll put it in the show notes. But how do you spell? 

Tori: So this is erin condren Brand and it’s E R I N and Condren is C O N D [00:19:00] R E N and I’ll send ya, I’ll send ya a link. 

Hope: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Perfect. I love that in the show notes. No, that’s a great tip.

I love that. I love tips like that. That’s great. 

Tori: Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. 

Hope: So, I do have one more question, but where can everyone find you and kind of follow you on your journey, follow your blog and everything you’re doing with that? 

Tori: Oh, well, it’s not hard to find me Um, so yeah, so my blog is obviously the storibook.com and story it’s spelled just like tori t o r i And i’m sure you’ll link that below. I’m also on instagram and facebook under the same the storybook And so it’s pretty easy to find me. I’m always happy to chat with chat with everyone and share a little bit of the story is going on in my life. I’m lucky that my name lends itself well to my blog. 

Hope: Your branding is on point.

So I like to finish with the same question for everybody. [00:20:00] What do you think is the most important change people can make or the most important thing they can do to live with purpose? 

Tori: To live with purpose. I think, again, I feel like, you know, our overall theme of this podcast has revealed itself and I will say gratitude again.

I mean, there is nothing stronger than having gratitude. It just lends itself to so many things, whether that’s positivity, but also to purpose. It’s so much easier to be intentional with your life if you have gratitude for it. And making time for that you can’t be intentional and you can’t have purpose if you don’t allow yourself time to. 

Hope: Yeah, no, I I cannot agree more.

I was just I had another interview the other day we were talking about this and we were talking about like gratitude and meditation all that and I feel like That’s been like the theme for me and my husband both because I’ve kind of got him into it and we started, you know, being more, practicing more gratitude and yeah, I, I, I mean it’s, [00:21:00] it really does make a difference and, and intentional is a great word that you use, living more intentionally.

I love that. 

Tori: Yes. Yes, for sure. Yeah. 

Hope: Well, thank you so much, Tori, for sharing a little bit about you and I’m excited to have everyone kind of, A jump in on your blog and follow your journey as well. 

Tori: Well, well, thank you. I appreciate it. It was such an honor and wishing you all and everybody listening the best.

I know we’re all going through a really tough time right now, but we’re going to get through this together. 

Hope: Yeah, for sure. Thank you so much, Tori. 

Tori: Thank you. 

Hope: Thanks for listening to Hopeful and Wholesome y’all. If you found value in this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes, wherever you get your podcast, and leave review to let me know what you thought.

I’d love to know what you find useful in these episodes so I know how I can provide the most value I can to my listeners. And if you have topics that you wanna know more about, I’d love to hear those as well. So shoot me a message on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. It’s at the hope razza, or visit my website hopeful and wholesome.com.

Thanks [00:22:00] y’all.