Young Online Guru Cameron Johsnon Tells All Now 23, Cameron has been featured in over two-hundred newspapers, magazines and television stations worldwide including Newsweek, BusinessWeek, USA Today, The New York Times, The New York Post, Time Magazine, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, and dozens in Japan as well.

First of all, I just want to thank you Cameron for taking some time to spend with us and tell what you are all about and share some tips.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Such as how old you are, where you live, and what hobbies you have, etc.
Right now I’m 23 and living in Los Angeles. Growing up, business was always a hobby for me, in addition to playing soccer for most of my life. In my free time today, I enjoy traveling with friends, in addition to sporting events and concerts.

You started your first business when you were at the young age of 9 years old. What inspired you to do this?
I think it was the same inspiration a 9 year old has for opening a lemonade stand or selling baseball cards, or anything else. Girl Scouts sell cookies, Boy Scouts sell popcorn, schools have fundraisers, selling is all around us when we’re kids (whether we realize it or not). Having a computer simply enabled me to start printing greeting cards and stationary with my printer and then charging relatives and neighbors for it. This was my first “business” - but it was always just a hobby and something I enjoyed.

At the age of 15, you were making around $15,000 a day online. Some people online today are struggling to make $15,000 a year. Can you tell us a little bit about this business and why you think it was a success?
I’ve always tried to surround myself with successful talent. For that business, I had two brilliant partners and the three of us created a unique advertising model which shared a percentage of our revenue with our users. I think it was a combination of the growth of users on the internet along with the explosion of traditional advertising dollars being spent online. We had the right idea at the right time. I should point out - We closed the business and sold the assets at the right time, as well. Timing is critical.

At the age of 23, you are featured in over two-hundred newspapers, magazines and television stations worldwide including Newsweek, Business Week, USA Today, The New York Times, The New York Post, Time Magazine, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, and dozens in Japan as well. What do you think got you to the point you are at today?
The media attention is flattering but the real benefit isn’t just to me, it’s through sharing the story that’s helped inspire others to take the first step and get started on their own terms. I was always passionate about each of my various businesses and I think that helped lead each of them to becoming successful. Reading that I’m 23 definitely makes my story seem somewhat of an overnight success, however it was quite the opposite - it was the more traditional route of slow growth over time. I started 14 years ago.

Recently, you released your book called “You Call the Shots”. Can you tell us a little bit about this book?
I wrote You Call the Shots for several reasons. I grew up being inspired by the success stories of Michael Dell, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Donald Trump and plenty others. While it’s inspiring to read stories from billionaires, it’s also not very practical. In other words, there is a slim to none chance that you can read books about billionaires and go on to become a billionaire yourself. My story is a bit more practical, in that anyone can do it. I wanted to share my story and the path I took along the way, but more importantly all of the lessons I learned. The subtitle of the book really describes what I want the reader to take away from the book…You Call the Shots: Succeed Your Way - and Live the Life You Want - with the 19 Essential Secrets of Entrepreneurship

Also, another big part of your life recently is that you were a contestant on Oprahs Big Give. Can you tell us why you got involved and a little bit about your experience?
Oprah’s Big Give was a live changing experience. I’ve never once, even for a second, considered being a part of a reality show. That all changed when I heard Oprah’s concept for the Big Give. It wasn’t about the contestants, but instead about those who we were helping along the way. We didn’t compete against each other through backstabbing, we competed by working together to help a person - or family - in need. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? It was a huge honor and it’s one of my proudest accomplishments.