Audaciously Building A Career By Going With The FLO

Marcus Johnson negotiated his own record deal at age 19.

Once his deals didn’t work out, he realized that he needed to be on the other side of the desk, too. So, he earned a juris doctor (law degree) and an MBA.

Expanding boundaries

The record deal came, he told students recently in a new ventures creation class taught by Adjunct Instructor of Entrepreneurship and Dean Emeritus of the Shenandoah School of Business Miles Davis, Ph.D., as he studied music engineering and technology at the University of Miami. During his graduate studies at Georgetown University, he released two CDs of his music. 

Davis said he asked Johnson to speak because of his approach to life – it’s about more than just “being.” Rather, Davis said Johnson is willing to expand the boundaries of what it means to achieve success beyond money to the freedom to explore. 

Over the years, Johnson has followed his interests, which encompass not only his music, but also wine, candles, books, and a podcast, and built a fully unique brand through delivering consistently in his endeavors. 

He admits that he knew his ideas – like pursuing a music career, which he then completely managed on his own – always seemed crazy to others, including his own highly accomplished family. But instead of letting those reactions cow him, they provided him with the fuel he needed to succeed on his own terms. 

‘For the Love Of’

Johnson, whose philosophy is “FLO” – short for “For the Love Of” – said every venture begins with looking in the mirror and committing to the ideas that make other people uncomfortable – the ideas they say won’t ever work. For him, success means focusing on the FLO, which is about working with people, changing lives, having fun and loving the process – both in terms of failures and successes. 

However, to get to this state and create a successful venture, an entrepreneur must be willing to be authentic and stand out. “You cannot be special and be like everybody else,” he told the group of students who are turning their “why” into business ideas like releasing an album or developing an app for high school athletes. He offers similar advice to his own child, telling her, “You need to show YOU who you are.” And once that happens, audacity is key. “You have to be arrogantly focused on what you’re doing to be successful,” he said. No one is going to invest in an entrepreneur who isn’t confident about the possibilities of their venture or unwilling to give it an honest try, he added. 

Do what makes you happy

Happiness is also a part of his success. He shared another piece of advice he’s given: Do what makes you happy – it just might change your life. For him, doing what makes him happy has included the establishment of a record label, 15 Billboard-charting albums, producing music for other artists, TED Talks, production of wines linked to curated music and candles, and so much more. 

He manages his music career right down to ticketing and advertising his shows (he has a new album coming out); has written a new book, “Deeper,” (where he also notes the value of constructive criticism); and is set to offer a jazz, art and wine event in 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Oh, and he’s also a professor at the Howard University School of Law, teaching entertainment law. Not bad at all, for going with the FLO.