Johnna Wells is the founder of Benefit Auctions 360, a company that creatively and effectively assists companies with fundraising auctions and events to maximize success and fundraising potential! In addition to being the founder of the company, she is also the principal fundraising auctioneer and consultant for non-profit organizations at her company. We saw Johnna in action at the 2010 Boutiques Unleashed fashion show and benefit for non-profit, Dove Lewis. It was quite a success and Johnna was amazing. Benefit Auctions 360 works with you from start to finish to make sure your event generates results and you are able to build lasting relationships with your supporters. Read our interview to learn more about Johnna and the art of fundraising!

WOW! Where do I even start, how did you decide that auctioneering was the career for you? Did you always plan to follow in your parent’s footsteps?
NO! Not by a long shot! My parents were great, I grew up in an auction family, but they always supported my brother and I in whatever it was that we wanted to do. I guess you could say that they gave us both roots and wings. When I went to college, I decided to pursue a degree in art and design and it wasn’t until 2001 that I decided to go to auction school. From there, I got connected with a company that did specifically fundraising auctions. Through my experience working with this company, I was able to see that the auction method was a really powerful fundraising tool.

What brought you to Portland, specifically, to start your business?
The company that I was working for at the time wanted to slow things down a bit, so from that both parties involved decided that it was a good time for me to start my own company in 2005. This natural progression allowed me to then present what I thought was important in work and in business.

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of running your own business?
It is something my dad told me when younger, actually. Growing up I had this notion that because my parents were self-employed they should have more time to do things for pleasure. I would ask my dad, why don’t you have any time off? He would say, I do because I only work half of the day, meaning that (12 hours are in a half a day). This has been one of the greatest challenges for me also in owning my own business. The work never ends, literally. I work around the clock. No matter the time or day, I am involved in every aspect of this business, whether I am on vacation or it’s a Sunday morning, I am at the reigns to take care of whatever needs to be addressed.

Along the same line, how do you combat setbacks in your work?
That’s a good question. With any setback I take the same role in both my personal and professional life- when one block is presented, I just reorient myself and take a different course to get to the same point. This method translates across the board. Be it a daunting schedule or whatever, if I can’t climb the barrier, I find a way to go around it.

What are some of the most rewarding things about owning your own business?
In terms of business in general, it’s rewarding to have some flexibility in my schedule. There is a certain level of pride that comes with knowing that you and your team have built something and can be proud of it. It is rewarding, also, to be able to use my inspirations and creativity in my work. Being your own boss, there are times when it is nice having the ability to call the shots, at the same time, you are also responsible to kick yourself in the butt and get going when you need to. In my personal business focus on the non-profit auction method of marketing, working alongside incredible organizations across the country is really awe inspiring and I feel so blessed to be a part of what they are doing.

How do you set yourself and Benefit Auctions apart in the Portland Market?
In all reality, it’s how we operate as a company. There are lots of good companies that provide exceptional service. So, I go out to just do the best job possible and recognize that it’s not just a job, but that the partnering organizations are relying on our services to reach their organizational goals. Auctions are often the primary revenue generators for many of the organizations we work with. So, having the weight of their goals on our shoulders makes me very cognizant of the fact that this is not just a job. Using our knowledge base, we strive to present excellent service because we want to help create an event that the organizations can be proud of and provide them with the money necessary for these organizations to operate for the entire year. Our philosophy is focused on giving back to the community. Benefit Auctions makes a special appeal (or direct cash giving) contributions of some level to all of our customers to show how honored we are to be a part of what they are doing. Not only do we want other people to support the charitable organizations, we ourselves want to support them as well.

If you could use only one word to describe the goal of your organization, what would it be and why?
I would like to hope it’s inspiring. Through the work we do it is my personal and ultimate goal and hope that other people will be inspired to participate as well. By inspiring with hope, we aim to instill in others a sense of obligation to continue to contribute in ways that are meaningful to them. Whether that’s a donation, an auction item, or volunteering, we aim to integrate different ways to inspire an audience and have them feel that they are a valued part of the collective group helping the non-profit’s mission.

What is your favorite auction that you have ever done?
They are all so fun, I can’t pick just one! My favorite thing about what I do is that each event is unique. Benefit Auctions has done everything from work with grassroots groups like Growing Gardens, an organization that works with under-served youth and families to help them grow their own food; to events like the one called Veggie Ball where the guests dressed up as veggies, to million dollar productions that are black tie events decked out with corvettes, no matter what, it’s fun to see that people are able to put their own stamp on the event. All of the events we do have a different scale and scope, but seeing what each one is able to accomplish is really fun.

It’s really cool that you have been able to fuse your love for auctioneering with your passion for non-profit work. What was your inspiration behind targeting that market segment?
The inspiration was really in being able to comprehend the magnitude and strength that auctions can be when used as a fundraising tool, using auctioneering as an asset opened my eyes. Especially now with economic climate, many groups are in need of funding. Some need it to maintain their level of involvement and some are blessed that auctioneering can be huge catalyst and great tool for their organization. When put together in advance, auctioneering can be used to create success for these groups and help raise the funds necessary to keep them in operation.

What is your vision for Benefit Auctions long-term?
In November, we launched an expansion of the company, now with 4 auctioneers and 2 consultants working throughout the country. Over the past five years, most of our business has been here in Portland, but we would really like to see, and are working diligently to develop, an auctioneering template for organizations that can work across the board. Something mainstream that can be used effectively everywhere. My Dad is actually now picking up auctions all over the place, from New York to New Orleans, to Idaho. The bottom line, however, will be to continue to provide heartfelt services. Our goal is for the non-profits to know that we partner with them because we believe in the work that they are doing and we want to see them through with right resources to keep them going so they can continue to keep doing work in the community, that’s what we’re passionate about.

You mentioned that you are a mommy-to-be; do you feel like that has changed your outlook on your career at all? What advice would you give or what message do you hope your child would take away from all of the dedicated work you do professionally?
I think as a mom to be I would of course, want to have it all. To be an incredible mom and be a very strong leader professionally in the auctioneering community I know these elements are easier said than done. In terms of an ideal, knowing that I am having a daughter, I want her to know that anything is possible. Nowhere is it stated that we can’t be dedicated professional women as well as dedicated daughters, mothers and role models. I hope to leave her with the inspiration that in whatever she chooses to do following your passion will cause her to end up on the right path. In being true to me and my heart, I will continue my work with Benefit 360 and strive to be the best mom in the process.

What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreness?
Hands down, I would say if you are thinking about starting up your own business, it is the best decision you’ll ever make. Following the course of being an entrepreness is far and wide, although this will probably change once I have my daughter, being self employed is the greatest joy to ever know. Implementing an idea and seeing it through to fruition, and continuing to grow and nurture it in the ways that you see fit is so awesome and exciting! I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s rewarding to follow your passion and ideas and use it as a launch pad for your own business.