Johny Dar on The Art of Monetizing What You Love
Renowned artist Johny Dar is once again breaking artistic boundaries with his latest masterpiece, AOI: Art of Implosion This groundbreaking project blurs the lines between art, technology, healing, and ancient practices, offering a transformative experience that defies categorization. Johny Dar is also an inspirational business leader who has learned how to monetize doing what he loves. Dar took some time out to share his insights with Rob Barratt, Co-Founder of The Industry Leaders.
Can you begin by telling our audience a little about yourself, your business, and what led you to pursue your particular passion as a profession?
My journey has encompassed a diverse career in art, design, fashion, music, and novel writing. Throughout my career, my driving force has always been the desire to craft unique and original experiences that inspire, uplift, and even transform people's lives. I've been involved in various creative endeavors, from initiatives like "Jeans For Refugees" campaigns to bodypainting horses and women, fashion collections, runway shows as well as setting up interactive art spaces.
My passion has consistently revolved around the idea of using creativity and innovation as a means to connect with people on a profound level and bring about positive change in their lives. This commitment to creating meaningful experiences led me to explore innovative avenues, ultimately culminating in my current venture AOI.
At the heart of AOI lies a state-of-the-art technological marvel: a standing capsule that invites individuals to step inside and embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. Through this innovative device, users are enveloped in a frequency that induces a deep meditative state, cleansing their minds and relaxing their bodies. AOI's carefully crafted environment creates a space where subconscious thoughts, ideas, needs, and issues can emerge and be explored comfortably at will. This personal experience exposes users to energy and vibrations at a frequency of 528hz, harmonizing with ancient healing practices and promoting holistic well-being. See AOI in international press: https://wired.me/technology/art-of-implosion-health-bio-hacking/
I'm curious to know, what was the defining moment that made you realize that this passion could actually become a business? How did you identify the unique value it could bring to others?
The journey began many years ago when I was immersed in body painting. I gradually began to notice profound transformations occurring in the individuals I painted. These transformations went beyond the physical; something profound happened to them on a deeply personal level. Some returned months or even years later, sharing how this creative project had become a pivotal turning point in their lives.
As I listened to these stories, my curiosity grew, and I began to ponder the underlying dynamics...
Recognizing the powerful impact of art on individuals and how it could be absorbed as a healing experience, I embarked on a quest to translate this phenomenon into a tangible form. This led me to develop the AOI device, which codes the body with light and sound, producing remarkable effects.
My mission revolves around nurturing the growth and upliftment of humanity. I constantly explore ways to improve human lives and create art and experiences that inspire positive personal transformations, guiding individuals closer to their true selves, alignment, and fulfillment.
I firmly believe that the more people lead healthy, fulfilling lives with a sense of purpose, the greater the overall well-being of our planet, both collectively and individually.
So, as I continued to delve into this exploration, realizing that AOI could be the tool that empowers individuals to mirror their own elevated state of being and seamlessly integrate it into their daily lives through a simple 20-minute AOI session, I became convinced that this was something we had to pursue as a business. The potential to positively transform people's lives was undeniable.
Every entrepreneur faces obstacles, especially when turning a passion into a business. Can you share some of the initial challenges you encountered and how you overcame them?
Absolutely everything presented a challenge. I ventured into uncharted territory, creating a completely new product and market where nothing existed before. Consequently, a substantial amount of effort went into educating people and conducting numerous tests.
Developing the product demanded an intense and rigorous process, and I'm immensely grateful for my exceptional team who helped translate my design and vision into the realm of light and sound technology.
While some individuals embraced the concept and were eager to try a session, others approached it with skepticism. To address these challenges, we conducted extensive research, engaged professionals, and conducted studies.
I conquered these obstacles through unwavering commitment and a refusal to accept "no" as the final answer. Fortunately, my career and life experiences had equipped me with the resilience needed to persevere in the face of such challenges.
Monetizing a passion requires a solid business model. Can you walk us through how you developed yours, and the key factors that make it successful?
Monetizing a passion is indeed dependent on a solid business model. In the case of my venture, AOI (Art of Implosion), the development of a successful business model was rooted in several key factors:
Purpose-Driven Product: First and foremost, AOI is a product designed to benefit humanity. It serves a genuine need and offers a transformative experience. This purpose-driven approach is fundamental to the business model.
Serving a Dual Purpose: AOI not only serves the broader community by offering its transformative benefits but also provides value to individual users.
This dual-purpose ensures that the product is not only altruistic but also aligns with personal growth and wellness.
Community Building: AOI inherently fosters a sense of community among its users. As people engage with the product and experience its benefits, a community of AOI enthusiasts naturally forms. This sense of belonging and shared experiences enhances the product's appeal.
Feedback Loop: The business model incorporates a feedback loop, allowing users to share their experiences and insights. This feedback is invaluable for continuous improvement and product refinement.
Education and Awareness: Given that AOI is a unique and innovative product, education and awareness are essential. The business model includes strategies for educating the market, including the benefits and science behind the product.
Continuous Improvement: The model prioritizes ongoing development and refinement of the product to ensure it stays relevant and effective.
Sustainability: Beyond immediate profit, the business model considers the long-term sustainability of the venture. This includes financial stability, scalability, and adaptability to changing market conditions.
Many people worry that monetizing their passion may take the joy out of it. How have you managed to balance the business aspects with staying true to what you love?
I firmly believe that concern has its role. Fortunately, the AOI experience inherently guarantees its ongoing development.
My daily enthusiasm for using the product gives it a unique and cherished position in my life, which in turn replenishes my joy.
The experience is tailored to each individual, ensuring that everyone has their own unique journey. Being a part of the diverse journeys of all our users is exhilarating. Witnessing their transformation on various levels is not only mind-blowing but also truly inspiring, making it well worth my daily commitment and dedication.
As your business grew, what strategies did you employ to scale it while maintaining the core values and essence of what made it special in the first place?
Discovering people who share a common vision and are willing to embrace the venture as their own is crucial. Cultivating these robust partnerships and shaping them into a worldwide family network holds great significance to me. It's about collaborating with partners who feel a deep calling to effect change in both their lives and the lives of others.
Your journey is truly inspiring. What key insights or pieces of advice would you offer to someone looking to turn their passion into profit?
Your passion project must integrate into your life for you to infuse it with vitality. When you introduce something new to the world, it becomes a creation nourished by your own life energy. When you wholeheartedly invest yourself in it, its success becomes a do-or-die situation.
This is typically when your business begins to develop its own identity, residing in the collective consciousness and experiences of people. It seamlessly blends into your everyday life.
While pursuing your passion, never surrender, and follow your heart's intuition. Remember, a business isn't solely about giving life to your product or venture; it's about sustaining and nurturing its growth.
Strive to maintain the essence and soul of your product or company within the business framework. At the same time, don't let your deep love for your product overshadow the rationality necessary to run a successful business in today's competitive landscape. Treat your venture with the care and attention you would a newborn baby.
Reflecting on your journey so far, what are you most proud of? What future developments or projects are you excited about in your business?
I'm proud of the moments where I did not compromise my truth and values for others or succumb to the pressures of doing business. These moments serve as reminders of my commitment to creating a legacy that truly reflects who I am and the path I've chosen.
As for future developments and projects in my business, I'm excited about what lies ahead with AOI. It's just the beginning, and I have big plans. Once AOI is fully realized, my goal is to offer people the opportunity to explore and enhance their inner selves. I envision a future where AOI can facilitate personal growth by allowing individuals to access and amplify any innate ability or talent within the human consciousness.
In addition to AOI, I'm also working on a sportswear collection. This collection is designed to complement and enhance the AOI experience by offering clothing that can boost physical performance and intelligence. By combining these two elements, I aim to provide a holistic approach to personal development and self-improvement.
Overall, I'm proud of my commitment to staying true to myself and excited about the potential for AOI and the sportswear collection to make a positive impact on people's lives.
