From Center Field to CEO: The Story Behind Flow Forward Media

Early Ambitions and Athletic Pursuits

My name is Marcus Johnson, and I am the founder of Flow Forward Media. The origins of this company trace back to April 2023, when I was 23 years old. At the time, I was the starting center fielder for Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Oklahoma, and among the top hitters in NCAA Division II baseball at the beginning of the season.

Like many athletes, I aspired to play professionally. However, I soon realized that competing at the Division II level and being a fifth-year player meant my chances of being drafted were slim. Although I had one academic year left to complete, my baseball eligibility was ending. I began preparing for a new direction, initially setting my sights on a career in finance selling life insurance, inspired by my uncle’s work as a wealth manager for professional athletes and executives in Major League Baseball and the National Football League.

A Pivotal Introduction to Digital Marketing

My career path began to shift when my best friend discovered a content creator on TikTok who was earning significant income through digital marketing. This individual hosted a free Discord community that included weekly Wednesday night Q&A sessions with a panel of six experienced business owners, each of whom had generated more than one million dollars in revenue. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including marketing, web design, business development, advertising strategy, and email copywriting.

These calls were held late in the evening for us in Oklahoma and Tennessee, but we made it a priority to attend each one. While many of our peers were out socializing on Wednesday nights, we dedicated our time to learning and developing skills that could create new opportunities beyond the baseball field.

An Unexpected Classroom Opportunity

Several weeks later, while facing challenges in my accounting course, I was offered extra credit if I attended a meeting of the American Marketing Association club and took notes on a guest speaker’s presentation. That speaker was David, a bookkeeper who had recently launched his own agency. He shared his professional journey, described his services, and revealed that his next goal was to expand his marketing efforts, starting with a new website.

At the end of his presentation, he invited the 80 students in the room to speak with him if they were interested. No one else stepped forward, but I decided to approach him. With no prior experience in website development, I introduced myself and said, “I can build your website.” He asked for my business card, and when I admitted I had none, I requested his instead. Before leaving, he told me to meet with him in two weeks to present a proposal.

Preparation and Commitment to Excellence

I left the meeting energized and immediately called my best friend to share the news. Over the next two weeks, we committed ourselves fully to learning web design. We studied tutorials, experimented until late into the night, and refined our work until we were confident in our ability to present a professional proposal. While my baseball performance suffered during this period, my focus had shifted entirely toward business.

When the meeting day arrived, we came prepared with mock website designs, printed business cards, and a strategic plan. David later told us it was the best client meeting he had ever attended. That day, we secured our first client contract, marking the official launch of Flow Forward Media.

Growth and Expansion

From that first project, Flow Forward Media has grown into a trusted partner for businesses across the country. Today, we provide services including web design, social media management, content strategy, marketing consulting, email marketing, and fractional Chief Marketing Officer support.

What began with late-night learning sessions and a leap of faith has evolved into a company built on creativity, resourcefulness, and an unwavering commitment to delivering measurable results for our clients.

3 Takeaways from My Journey

1. Always Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
Committing to challenges that exceed your current abilities accelerates growth. Some of the best opportunities require stepping into the unknown and figuring it out along the way.

2. Be Resourceful
The tools and knowledge you need are often available if you are willing to seek them out. Persistence and adaptability are invaluable assets in any business.

3. Take Risks
The decision to approach David after his presentation changed the trajectory of my career. Acting before you feel fully prepared can open doors that otherwise remain closed.

If you would like to discuss how Flow Forward Media can help your business grow through tailored marketing solutions, contact us today to get started.

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