The Journey of John T. Meyer: A Decade of Learning and Teaching
John T. Meyer’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and relentless curiosity. From starting businesses in South Dakota with his brother to becoming a coach for solopreneurs and nonprofit leaders, Meyer’s journey offers a masterclass in management and entrepreneurship. His ability to teach, inspire, and innovate has made him a role model for creatives and business leaders alike.
Building Businesses: Lessons from Nine Clouds and Lemonly
In 2009, John and his brother Scott began their entrepreneurial journey with Nine Clouds, a company aimed at educating businesses about the power of social media. Those early days were filled with challenges from educating clients who were still entrenched in traditional marketing methods to battling their own inexperience as entrepreneurs.
Lemonly, a spinoff from Nine Clouds, marked a turning point. Focusing on infographics and visual storytelling, the company thrived by honing in on a single specialty: designing clarity. Lemonly grew to serve global brands like Netflix, Google, and Marriott, a testament to the power of focus and specialization.
Teaching Through Leadership
John’s passion for teaching, influenced by his family’s legacy in education, is reflected in his mantra, “teaching before selling,” which underscores the importance of building trust and relationships. Whether it’s through his coaching practice or his time leading Lemonly, John exemplifies how sharing knowledge can be a cornerstone of successful leadership.
Key Takeaways for Nonprofits and Small Business Owners
- Work On Your Business, Not In It: Nonprofit executives and small business owners often get stuck in day-to-day operations. John emphasizes the importance of delegation and focusing on big-picture goals. Tools like an energy audit can help leaders identify tasks that drain their energy and offload them.
- Document, Don’t Create: For those daunted by content creation, John advocates documenting your journey. This approach not only creates authenticity but also engages audiences who resonate with real stories.
- Invest in a Vision: A leader’s vision should be large enough to inspire and include the ambitions of their team. This philosophy fosters growth and alignment within organizations.
Transformative Coaching: Empowering Leaders
John’s current focus is coaching, where he helps solopreneurs and small business owners transition from being operators to CEOs. His structured programs, like the 12-week “Operator to Owner” journey, offer actionable steps for leaders to reclaim their time and scale their impact.And his approachemphasizes that: “The transformation happens at the transaction.” This mindset shifts the focus from transactional services to meaningful, lasting change.
John’s advice to leaders and creatives is simple yet profound: document your journey. Whether you’re a nonprofit executive rallying support or a small business owner scaling operations, sharing your story can inspire, connect, and drive action.
As John T. Meyer continues to inspire through his teachings, his story reminds us that leadership is about more than just results—it’s about the impact you leave behind.
Interested in storytelling that amplifies your mission? Learn how Tellwell Story Co. can help you craft and share your unique narrative.
