Skip to content

About Joe

JOE JOHNSON, PhD

Visionary Leader | Entrepreneur | Investor | Business Strategist
Founder of LIFE SURGE and SURGEU

Joe Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist with over 30 years of experience in building and scaling companies. His expertise spans startups, business turnarounds, and large-scale investments, all while staying committed to his core values of faith and integrity.

As the founder of Life Surge, the fastest-growing Christian organization in the U.S., Joe Johnson has helped thousands of people integrate faith and business, equipping them with the tools to create lasting financial and spiritual impact. Under his leadership, Life Surge grew an astonishing 46,000% in just three years, solidifying its place as a transformational force in the Christian business community. The organization is dedicated to inspiring, training, and equipping individuals for Kingdom Impact by fostering resources and influence, all grounded in faith-based principles.

EARLY CAREER

Joe Johnson’s business journey began early on. Born in Ohio, he moved to Brazil with his missionary parents when he was just six months old. At the age of twelve, he returned to Ohio, where his entrepreneurial spirit took root. Before he could even drive, he had already launched a successful landscaping business with industrial equipment and employees, proving that business was in his DNA. After earning an MBA from Ashland University, where he also served as captain of the swim team, Joe Johnson quickly made his mark in the corporate world. He turned around a struggling $12 million technology company, bringing it back to profitability within six months. His career highlights include becoming CEO of Success Magazine, acquiring Get Motivated Seminars, and raising over $100 million in investment capital for various ventures.

From Setback
to Surge

However, Joe Johnson’s path to success was not without hardship. After acquiring a company in a distress sale, he found himself overwhelmed with over a million dollars in personal debt, and facing one of the most challenging seasons of his life. During this time, he sought God for direction, and it was in this season that God spoke to his heart, giving him the vision for Life Surge. To bring this vision to life, Joe Johnson knew he needed to create the necessary resources. Determined, he immersed himself in seeking knowledge and mentorship. He attended a three-day real estate class, where he met his mentor and gained valuable insights into the principles of investing. This knowledge ultimately led him to found the fastest-growing commercial real estate company in Inc. 5000 history. The company grew by an astonishing 11,000% in just three years, earning Joe Johnson the title of Entrepreneur of the Year by CIO Look Magazine. With the success, he was finally able to bring the vision of Life Surge to fruition.

Life Surge

By 2024, Life Surge had established itself as the fastest-growing Christian event organization in the U.S., with more than 50,000 individuals rededicating their lives to Christ. Most recently, Joe Johnson launched SurgeU, an innovative educational platform disrupting traditional education models, the platform is designed to help entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders apply faith-based principles to address real-world business challenges.

lifesurge.com

Family

While Joe Johnson’s business success is impressive, his greatest joy is his family. He is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Lindsay, have been married for over 26 years and share a deep love that has only grown stronger. Together, they have raised six incredible children and are now proud grandparents.

When he’s not leading businesses, Joe Johnson can be found boating, spearfishing, or lobster fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, enjoying time with loved ones, or researching new opportunities.

 

Joe Johnson’s journey is a testament to faith, resilience, and determination, proving that even the toughest setbacks can lead to incredible success.

Career Highlights

  • Founder of Life Surge and SurgeU, empowering faith-driven entrepreneurs
  • Named Entrepreneur of the Year by CIO Look Magazine
  • Built the fastest-growing commercial real estate company in Inc. 5000 history
  • Raised $100M+ in investment capital for various ventures
  • Funded 15,000+ microloans across 80+ countries
  • Invested in 10M+ square feet of commercial real estate
  • Former CEO of Success Magazine and owner of Get Motivated Seminars
  • Holds a PhD in Entrepreneurial Leadership from Regent University