Be a brand for good.
My name is Kyle Johnson and I have worked as a Creative Director and Business Consultant for the past 20 years. My showreel is a sample of some of my work, clients I have worked with, and my passion of mentoring young adults from refugee communities to enter the digital marketing space.
App creation.
In 2020 I started TAKA FC, a technology and fitness company that combines high intensity interval training (HIIT) with soccer drills into a convenient app. The intense workouts will increase your stamina, develop your foot skills, and get you in the best shape of your life. The company donates 10% of its profits to grassroots soccer organizations around the world, helping underserved football communities gain more access. I produced all of the workouts, videos, branding, app development, and digital marketing for the company. Visit TAKA FC to learn more.
Over 20 years of experience.
I have worked with a number of clients and agencies over the past 20 years. After co-founding Rocket 55, a digital marketing agency in Minneapolis, I ventured off on my own and have had the pleasure to collaborate with many companies of all sizes. My real joy comes from working with small businesses and startups to help develop their concept from the ground up. I love the strategy and planning it takes to build a brand and marketing campaigns for new businesses and ideas.
Featured Business
I recently started UNUHE, a language translation and interpreting company. I built a more user friendly, mobile friendly, scheduling system to book the appointments. We had used other platforms in the past and did not have much success. We started from scratch and developed a user friendly, simple way to add customers and interpreters. Our new booking system conveniently gives them the ability to add and update appointments while connecting with their invoicing system.
Passion and purpose can be a powerful thing.
I remember as far back as middle school I had a passion for aesthetic. I found myself rearranging furniture in my parents house, changing the art on the walls, to make the rooms more eye catching, more appealing. I did this throughout the time that I lived there. Little did I know that eye for design would lead to my career. In 2000 I graduated with a graphic design and multimedia degree and during the past 20+ years I have seen it all. I have had the pleasure of working with a number of companies, big and small. I have really enjoyed designing work for large corporations while helping small businesses get off the ground. Along the way, I found another love, entrepreneurship.
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Never did I think I would be an entrepreneur, but I love it. I love the idea of taking ideas and coming up with strategies to help brand, and promote products, services, or even businesses. There is a real excitement that comes with wanting to make something become the best in the industry. The early phases of things are my favorite - the planning and strategy, building campaigns around the product or business and seeing things flourish. That is my passion.
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Over the past 7 years I have really found my purpose. I have found that there is much more meaning to life than just work. My family has always come first, and I have loved working in the non profit I started, the Karen Football Association. Now more than ever, we need to place a value on humanity, and treating people with kindness and empathy. If we cannot be good to people, do the right thing, then what is our real purpose in life?
Passion and Purpose can be a powerful thing.
I remember as far back as middle school I had a passion for aesthetic. I found myself rearranging furniture in my parents house, changing the art on the walls, to make the rooms more eye catching, more appealing. I did this throughout the time that I lived there. Little did I know that eye for design would lead to my career. In 2000 I graduated with a graphic design and multimedia degree and during the past 20+ years I have seen it all. I have had the pleasure of working with a number of companies, big and small. I have really enjoyed designing work for large corporations while helping small businesses get off the ground. Along the way, I found another love, entrepreneurship.
. . . . .
Never did I think I would be an entrepreneur, but I love it. I love the idea of taking ideas and coming up with strategies to help brand, and promote products, services, or even businesses. There is a real excitement that comes with wanting to make something become the best in the industry. The early phases of things are my favorite - the planning and strategy, building campaigns around the product or business and seeing things flourish. That is my passion.
. . . . .
Over the past 7 years I have really found my purpose. I have found that there is much more meaning to life than just work. My family has always come first, and I have loved working in the non profit I started, the Karen Football Association. Now more than ever, we need to place a value on humanity, and treating people with kindness and empathy. If we cannot be good to people, do the right thing, then what is our real purpose in life?
My non profit
In 2019 I founded the Karen Football Association. Our mission is to unite the community’s passion for soccer with the importance of gender equity, while giving opportunities to young women and men that sit outside the mainstream youth sports system. As an organization, and a team, we feel that it is our responsibility to be an influential role model for other teams, businesses, and organizations; teaching society, that women and men will always be on an equal playing field.
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The Karen people began to inhabit what eventually became Burma about two thousand years ago. They traveled from Tibet and China and settled largely in the hills bordering the eastern mountainous region of Burma. In the 8th and 9th centuries, the Burmese also began migrating to the area north of what is now the Karen state. Ethnic groups around this region included the Mon, Shan, Thai, Burmese and Karen. When the British colonized Burma in 1886, these groups all became part of Burma.
Visit the website to learn more.
Sol of the Cities
I am proud to be one of the original Founders of SOL of the Cities. I partnered with TC SOL Futsal to create a league like no other. Our league was based on a model of "serve to play", where we encouraged kids to give back to the community while establishing a futsal league. Now more than ever we see an opportunity to celebrate the diverse communities that makes up the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We are excited to announce a sports league to champion people, and learn more about each other on and off the court.
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In a world of pay to play athletics, where many communities are left out, we have developed a model that gives kids the opportunity to play competitive futsal in a positive environment that promotes giving back to the community. We have partnered with local community organizations to have our athletes provide an hour of service each week giving back to the community and learning from each other, while developing relationships that may have never been cultivated before. We have eliminated the financial component and have developed a positive sense of community that has never been done before. Visit playwithsol.com to learn more, or learn more in the press below.
Awards
MLS Works Community MVP
In 2019 I was given the honor of being selected as one of 24 people from around the United States by Major League Soccer (MLS) for the work I have done in the community. The MLS WORKS Community MVP, presented by Wells Fargo is a prestigious award given to those who use soccer to help positively change their local communities. For the past 8 years I have made it my mission to fight for gender equity in refugee communities and using the power of role models to help influence both men and women to help influence future generations.
Awards
National Girls & Women in Sports Breaking Barriers Award Winner
I am absolutely humbled and honored to be given the Breaking Barriers Award on the 50th Anniversary of National Girls & Women in Sports Day. To be recognized with the most amazing women that I have ever been able to be around is truly an honor. You can read more about the event and rest of the 2023 honorees here.
Awards
Lunar Startups
I am honored to be selected to the Lunar Startups Cohort 4 and recognized as an entrepreneur who started a company with social impact. I was selected to be a part of this program with my health and fitness app TAKA FC.
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Luna Startups envisions a future where ALL entrepreneurs have the resources, connectivity, and support they need to scale companies that are solving the world’s most critical problems. Lunar Startups is building inclusive entrepreneurial experiences with underinvested founders at the center, focusing on growth, connection, and innovation for CEOS who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, women, and non-binary. You can learn more about Lunar Startups and Cohort 4 on their website.
Press + Media
It is an honor to be recognized for some of the work I have done throughout the years. Below are some of the articles I have been featured in. Click on the logos to read more.
Looking to work together?
Thank you for your interest. I would love to talk to you more about my services and how I may be able to help with any projects. Send me a quick note and I will be in touch soon. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my work.
@Kyle Johnson 2023 | All Rights Reserved.