A Personal Message from the Founder and CEO

Two words, Resilient and Inspirational, best describe my life’s journey. I often wonder if there is a master plan I am to accomplish for myself, perhaps for those I had crossed paths with or maybe for those I will soon encounter. 

In hindsight, it has been a real adventure filled with celebrations, heartaches, smiles, tears, introspections, and resilience. Fortunately, the relationships with my 9 Moms and their unconditional motherly love helped define the road to my success, knowledge, and wisdom.

Since 2009, I have empowered people and transformed lives as an author, experiential keynote speaker, workshop presenter, talk show host, executive career & life coach, mentor, and consultant. In alignment with today's corporate family culture affirmation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, my real-life stories of circumstances, unexpected setbacks, successful rebounds, and arriving at my highest self resonate and connect with audiences and clients of all ages.

I left Malaysia at 18 to attend college at Louisiana State University. At 33, I successfully led a Multigenerational Workforce of 600+ Employees as their Chief Operating Officer. For over 12 years, I served my Baton Rouge community by initiating projects that benefited future generations as Chairman of The Board and President of several Organizations. Currently, I am a Social Entrepreneur living in Dallas, Texas.

How did I acquire 9 Moms? I was adopted at birth in Melaka, Malaysia, by my mom, Nyah. One of the lessons she taught me was that everyone possesses a seed of greatness. This seed is the key to success in life. When nurtured carefully, the essence of this seed allows the Genius in us to create our goals, dreams, and desires, prompting the Talent in us to accomplish them with a heartfelt passion!

The educational richness I accumulated from my relationships with my 9 Moms helped me experience the American Dream uniquely. I came to the United States to earn an engineering degree. Instead, I received an education about the power of relationships, the nature of love, and the meaning of life. Thanks to my 9 Moms, I learned that “Words Have Power.” Real connections, true love, and success are results of engaging others with authentic integrity, listening with empathy, and speaking with humility.

I experienced the above “spiritual awakening” while writing my first book, From My Mama’s Kitchen – “food for the soul, recipes for a living,” to honor my 9 Moms. Released in 2009 with the endorsement of the National Association of Mothers’ Centers, it won five awards: Mom’s Choice Awards, Mr. Dad Seal of Recognition, Publisher’s Choice Awards by Family Magazine Group in 2010, and International Book Awards, and National Indie Excellence Book Awards in 2011. The book made the Amazon Best Seller List in the following categories: Parenting & Family Relationships: Parent and Adult Child, Self Help: Spiritual and Motivational, and Cooking, Food & Wine: Essay, in 2012.

In 2015, I was invited to share my stories with the Chicken Soup for the Soul readers. In Chicken Soup's Thanks to My Mom, book, "Thanks To My Nine Moms," was the lead story in The Other Moms in Our Lives chapter. My second story, “What I Learned from My First Thanksgiving,” was featured as the anchor story in the chapter titled, Simple Pleasures, in the 2016 Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Gratitude, collection. My third story, “A Suitcase Full Of Love,” leads off the chapter titled, A Recipe for Life, in the 2018 Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Amazing Mom, edition. My fourth story “And The Good News Is...” was featured in the chapter titled, Always There for Us, in the 2019 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Mom Knows Best collection.

The most crucial life lesson I have learned is that “Real Wealth is not What We Accumulate. It Is What We Give Away!” Everyone has their interpretation of the word Wealth; mine is Knowledge, Wisdom, and Time. With authentic integrity, I am at my best when I share them with others. For me, contributing to someone’s happiness, being a blessing in their life, and helping them experience the abundance of their highest self brings me enormous Joy!

With Gratitude and Blessings Always, Johnny