Today I have a very special treat for you. Have you heard of Cameron Johnson? I expect so, but if you have not then quickly read this short extract from his website.

At the age of 23, Cameron has founded and sold more than a dozen successful businesses and has been featured in more than 250 media outlets worldwide including Newsweek, BusinessWeek, the New York Times, USA Today, CNBC, ABC, and MSNBC. He’s served as a consultant to several Fortune 500 companies and is a frequent speaker to a wide-range of audiences including corporate audiences, entrepreneurial boot camps, and even high schools and colleges.

Firstly, could you please tell us about yourself?

My name is Cameron Johnson, I’m 24 – started my first business 15 years ago and now spend the majority of my time consulting, speaking, and writing books.

Why, and how, did you start your career?

I was always interested in entrepreneurship and being able to create my own lifestyle. I started when I was 9 and all of my businesses (12 of them) have been created for fun – and for my passion – not for profit.

Who/what is your greatest inspiration in business and life in general?

I always looked up to idols such as Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Donald Trump, Richard Branson, and others.

Most people at the age of 9 play computer games. You have a quotation on your website saying “[Business] was just something I did after I got my first computer” Could you please tell us what you did when you first got your computer?

Sure, I always enjoyed using the computer as the vehicle that enabled me to reach a mass audience (via the web) and to start my business with very little capital. I began by printing greeting cards, stationary, business cards, etc.

How would you describe your lifestyle?

Today, I spend a lot of my time on the road. I travel over 100k miles per year and speak to audiences all around the world. I currently live in LA but am from the east coast.

Many people, including myself, have always had dreams of writing a book. How did you go about making your two books?

My first book was published in Japan in 2000. It was released thanks to the massive media attention I received at that time and it was quite successful. M y most recent book here was released in January, 2007 and focuses on my companies that I started growing up and the lessons I learned along the way. After finding a fantastic writer to help me put together my thoughts, we partnered with a brilliant business book agent and the rest is history…

You have been on TV and in the newspapers many times, how did you get your first piece of publicly and how did it make you feel?

Publicity is a great thing. It costs nothing, it gives you instant credibility, and its free advertising for your business. My first publication was when I was 10 years old. It felt great because it was free advertising and helped the company grow.

When you are speaking at public events, what do you speak about? You are a very motivational and inspirational public figure, I have heard many people call you an “International Superstar”, have you always been able to speak publicly or was it something you learnt?

It was, by far, something I learned. Actually, something I stumbled upon. I was working in Japan when I was 15 and I was asked to start giving public speaking engagements but they were quite easy as I, obviously, didn’t know anyone in the audience. Today, I enjoy it because I enjoy seeing and hearing the reactions of the audience.

What do you believe has made you such a successful person?

Well I think that’s a matter of definition and to me, I’m more focused on what I need to do moving forward and less on what I’ve done in the past. I have plenty of friends and mentors who are much more successful than myself.

Have you ever had times where you thought yourself or your business as a “failure”? If so how did you stop feeling like it? If not how do you keep yourself so optimistic?

Sure. Failures are necessary, you learn from your mistakes and you can hopefully fix them in the future. For me, there are several businesses that I would probably consider a failure (internally). Externally, however, many people considered those businesses a success as they were profitable and maybe generated media attention. For me, it’s about the bigger picture and that’s what I’m focused on today.

What advice would you give to somebody wanting to start their first business?

To put yourself out there and take the first step. Everyone has an idea. Plenty of people have a great idea. But what differentiates yourself is taking the first step and getting started. It’s that easy.

What was the best advice you have ever been given?

For me, I’ve found that the most successful people are always willing to give back the most. So with that being said, I’ve been very fortunate to have plenty of great mentors and receive lots of great advice. If I could pass anything on, it’d be to think small and focus on your business model.

If you could go back and change one thing in your past, what would it be?

Nothing -

What plans do you have the future?

Lots -

If there was just one thing that you would like people to remember about you, what would it be?

I think that’s probably up to them but that I was focused on spreading the word of entrepreneurship and doing what I love.

I am sure you have all heard of Cameron but his story really is inspirational every time I hear/read about it. Do you know of any other inspirational people? Let me know about them and I shall try to arrange an interview!

Thank you for reading this,

Shane