Karla Johnson, Owner, Creative World Model and Talent Agency
For Karla Johnson, life centers around her two passions: work and family.
“I am happiest when I can be actively engaged in helping people achieve their dreams,” she explains, “and when I am with my children and grandchildren.”
Her business, Creative World, is the matriarch agency in Montana.
“I connect models and talent locally, nationally and internationally for placement or signing. I provide an avenue to a larger market if that is their desire to fulfill their aspirations.”
Born in Oklahoma, she moved to Arizona just shy of her fourth birthday and remained there until moving to Alaska for one year. In 2001, she relocated to Montana. Throughout her travels, Karla developed a fondness for both the beach and the mountains.
“I think in the winter, I love the beaches more, and in the summer, my love would be the mountains,” Karla says. “I really feel close to Heavenly Father in both places.”
Her dream would be to live on a California beach for six months out of the year, near Encinitas, and to have more time with her grandchildren.
“I would have an apartment or condo in the LA area so my models and talent could stay there while fulfilling their dreams,” she muses.
Karla feels there have been multiple turning points in her life, experiences that altered her trajectory in significant ways. The most important was when she became a mother.
“It was such a beautiful experience! I never dreamed I could love another human being so much, so deeply, so unconditionally,” she confesses. “Then, it happened again when I became a grandma. I would also say, Christmas Day 2016. … I was reflecting back on my life, thinking of things I had wanted to do when I was younger. … It was then that I had an epiphany: I could still do the things I desired to do!”
Since this revelation, Karla has been in a few films, commenced writing a book and enrolled in oil painting classes. Another of her interests is family history. She was delighted to discover her family has ties to many people in the entertainment industry.
“The most exciting were probably Elvis Presley, John Wayne, Walt Disney, Lucille Ball. … It is also interesting when you find many jobs and hobbies you have that coincide with relatives from the past.”
Karla prides herself on having strong integrity, a trait which she believes others recognize in her. If things become stressful, she is the first to attempt to uncover the problem, diffuse tension and lighten the mood.
“I would try to see if I can find out what is causing a person to be nervous. I do try to laugh off stressful situations. ... I would probably try to say something funny.”
There are two other causes Karla holds near and dear to her heart: veterans and heart disease related to diabetes.
“It amazes me that a person is willing to lay down their life for their country and fellow man. The latter is because I lost my dear sweet mother to diabetes/heart disease.”
Her favorite quote is from the Bible, 3 John 1:4. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
“It gives me hope for future generations,” she concludes.