Hudson Star-Observer – Friday, August 10, 2007 by Margaret Ontl

It should come as no surprise to friends and family of Jill Johnson, a 1978 graduate of Hudson High School, that she is celebrating 20 years since the founding of her company, Johnson Consulting Services.

Jill was practically born a business woman and learned at a very early age that by listening, you can learn a lot. The daughter of Toni and Bob Johnson of Johnson’s Body Shop (now operated by her brother, Jeff), Jill was active in the business from an early age, posting the general ledger while still in grade school. She had her first paying job when she was 12 years old.

“I was a little overachiever,” she said. Active in Junior Achievement, she earned a trip to Chicago at the age of 17. Out of 3,000 students, Johnson was one of the top 20 chosen to attend.

While there, she met Robert Cardinal, a senior vice president of one of the 10 largest consulting firms in the nation.

“When I finished talking to him I said that’s what I am going to do,” said Johnson.

“Back in those days it was pretty unusual for women to be in business. I never looked back — I knew that was what I wanted.”

Johnson graduated from Drake University and went on to earn an MBA at the age of 23.

Johnson credits her mother and dad as being extraordinary role models. “Dad told me, ‘You better have your name on it’” when she was naming her company.

“He said the jobs have to be good to have my name on them before they go out the door,” said Johnson.

“The teachers in the Hudson schools were terrific,” said Johnson. “As a kid, the Junior Achievement program was very important. I draw from that every single day.”

After 20 years of owning her own business, and 25 years as a consultant, Johnson wouldn’t change a thing.

“It is exactly what I thought consulting would be,” said Johnson, who has clients from coast to coast in 21 states and overseas.

“It is pretty significant that I made it 20 years. I had no idea that so few people survive in consulting.”

She has earned numerous awards over the years and has been quoted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Money Magazine. Johnson now lives in Fridley but will always consider Hudson home.

More information is available on Johnson’s Web site, https://www.jcs-usa.com/. Her email address is Jill@JCS-USA.com.