Greta Johnson ’12 receives 4 Under 40 Alumni Achievement Award

For Greta Johnson ’12, living out her faith within the realm of work is a natural extension of her existence. “Faith and family background are entirely the reason why I grew up with a clear understanding of Christian principles and their application in daily life and work,” says Johnson. Growing up in a Christian home along with learning from her family’s business ventures have been instrumental in shaping her approach to her own business and leadership. It guided her to open a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise in Arden Hills, just minutes from Bethel, and create a coffee shop environment that's centered on community and connection.

“My upbringing was filled with practical lessons about hard work, faith, and resilience, which I learned from my family’s experiences. My grandfather was a businessman who started and failed at several ventures. My dad partnered with him on his successes for a long time,” she says. “This family history gave me the knowledge and witness of business, and inspired me to create something meaningful.”

When Johnson was a student majoring in biblical and theological studies at Bethel, her education and involvement in various campus roles—including serving as an assistant resident director—had a lasting impact on her professional approach. “Being an RD taught me how to be a friend and also a leader to people I was in charge of. This skill is crucial in my current role as an entrepreneur,” Johnson says. “I discovered that what I enjoyed most about college was learning outside the classroom. Whether it was as an RD, working in student government, helping with Welcome Week, or collaborating with facilities management, those co-curricular experiences showed me that I thrived in those environments. This led me to pursue a career in student development.” Her experiences as a Bethel student were pivotal in defining her approach to business and community involvement.

After graduating from Bethel, Johnson went on to pursue a master’s in education at another university. After that journey, she found herself at a crossroads. Johnson was working with college students in Texas at the time, but left and came back to Minnesota. “I started working at a coffee shop, and my dad asked me, ‘What’s your vision? What’s the bigger purpose?’ I realized that my true purpose was—and still is—to create a space where people can come to know Jesus Christ. That has become our central vision, guiding how we approach hiring and training at Dunn Brothers,” Johnson says.

Johnson academic studies have greatly influenced her approach to management and leadership. “My background is in education, specifically in student development and higher education, with a master’s degree in that field. I worked at a university, focusing on the learning and growth of young adults. I apply that same expertise to managing our company every day. In fact, I often find that I use my educational background more in my current role than I did when I was directly involved in education. It’s a true joy to see our team members start with us as young teens and grow into adults, and it’s a privilege to watch them come in as freshmen and graduate years later with clear goals and a sense of identity. Being part of their journey and witnessing their growth is truly incredible,” she says.

Her involvement in Bethel's community has continued long after her time as a student. “My experiences at Bethel shaped my understanding of how to build and sustain meaningful relationships,” Johnson says. This understanding has been crucial in fostering a positive work environment and maintaining strong connections within the Bethel community.

A notable example of this is her partnership with Bethel’s BUILD program. “The coffee shop and BUILD are quite close in age, having grown up together. It would be misleading to say I intentionally built a relationship with BUILD; it was more of an unintentional connection guided by the Holy Spirit. Shortly after we opened in the summer of 2018, a community member involved in the BUILD program asked if there was room for her to work here. We welcomed her, and as the BUILD program began that fall, she transitioned into an internship with us,” says Johnson.

The importance of this relationship is beneficial to the business, the BUILD program, and its students. “Each day, their work is vital to our operations, whether they're preparing food in the kitchen or ensuring the customer area remains clean and welcoming by wiping tables, sweeping, taking out the trash, greeting customers, and handling dishes. Both roles are crucial to our success, and their contributions are truly a gift,” says Johnson.

At the heart of Johnson business philosophy is the commitment to Christian values, which largely influence its operations and culture. “I think about our mission, it always comes back to our faith and how we can serve others through our work,” she says. “One of our core values is respect, which we translate into honesty with our customers and flexibility with our employees.” This commitment to respect extends to recognizing the inherent dignity in every person, a reflection of the belief that everyone is created in the image of God.

 “Grace is a core part of my faith, and it deeply influences how I approach hiring,” says Johnson. “From day one, I make it clear to new hires that our goal here is to create a space where we show grace to everyone. I believe we’ve received the greatest grace and hospitality through the work of Jesus, and that’s what we aim to reflect in our work,” she says. This philosophy fosters a supportive work environment where employees feel valued and encouraged to contribute positively to the company’s mission. “We believe that when employees come to us with ideas, we help them improve and believe in the dignity imprinted in them in God’s creation,” she says.

Grace alone is not the only value that shapes Johnson business ethos; flexibility plays a pivotal role as well. “We talk a lot about being flexible, which reflects a gracious way of existing with people,” she explains. “It’s about finding ways to accommodate different needs and perspectives while staying true to our core values,” she says.

Integrating Christian values into a business setting has presented its share of challenges, but Johnson has navigated these with steadfast commitment. “Being bold about your faith is not always easy. However, we treat everyone equally, regardless of whether they share our beliefs. And, since this has been our way of operating from day one, it’s been accepted in this community,” she says. 

Johnson places a strong emphasis on the importance of customers and interacting with them in a meaningful and honest way. “We strive to be honest with our customers, helping them understand how they can make changes to their orders to get what they want,” she says. “By focusing on what’s true and respecting our customers, we build trust and foster positive relationships,” she says.

As Johnson looks to the future, her goals for her business and community involvement remain focused on growth and positive impact. She envisions continuing to enhance Dunn Brothers’ role in the community, creating a space where people feel welcomed and valued. “Our goal is for the community to not only know we’re here—but to actively want us to be here,” she says. 

Johnson is also open to exploring new opportunities and initiatives. “I have an entrepreneurial spirit that is drawn to exploring new ideas and possibilities,” she says. Whether it’s expanding into other ventures or supporting emerging community initiatives, Johnson's entrepreneurial drive continues to seek innovative ways to contribute and serve. “It’s about finding new ways to engage with people and create positive experiences,” she says.

Her dedication to philanthropy and community service is evident in her business and leadership style. “Balancing business success with giving back involves showing up for people and being present in their lives,” Johnson says. For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Johnson offers practical advice. “Have courage and trust that the spirit will fill in the gaps where you may fall short. Believing in the impact you can make, even when it’s challenging—is crucial,” she says. “It’s about showing up for the people around you and being present in their lives.”

Nominate the next 4 Under 40 recipients!

Bethel University’s National Alumni Board annually seeks and accepts nominations for the 4 Under 40 Alumni Achievement Award. The selection is made from Bethel University graduates 40 years of age or younger who have had outstanding achievements in their career, public service, or volunteer activities.

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