Meet Glen Johnson of Full Figure Plus

PSA Glen I appreciate the opportunity to be granted an interview with you. I first came across your blog a few month’s back but you’ve been around the blogoshphere for quite awhile now. So tell us, what inspired you to get involved in plus size fashion?

Glen Believe it or not my original goal was not to get into fashion at all.  I was looking to help my wife out and everything else grew from browsing the Internet to find plus size lingerie websites.

PSA What gave you the idea of starting your blog Full Figure Plus?

Glen Full Figure Plus was born from the idea to help my wife find affordable lingerie.  We were spending 40-60 dollars each on her bras.  I like to write so the decision was made for me to post the links I found with common sense tips.  At least things I thought made sense.

PSA How many years have you been blogging?

Glen I started my first blog in September of 2004, Full Figure Plus Was born in November 2004 with the sister blog Curvy Silhouettes after 2 years I closed Curvy Silhouettes and merged Full Figure Plus in to a blog dealing with clothing, lingerie and so much more!

PSA I was able to catch your interview with Kimmoy Matthews of The Curvy Coach and what I found most encouraging was in the early years of your blog you really struggled but didn’t give up. Can you tell us what the journey has been like?

Glen Whew! The journey has been wild.  The original deal my wife made with me is for two years if the business was not moving in a positive direction then we would have to redo things.  The first twelve months I did not make a penny even though I was writing every day.  Halfway through year two I made the first 5k for my company which made both me and my wife happy!  Since then I have met tons of fantastic people and been blessed enough to take my blog from being a cool hobby to a full fledged business venture.

PSA I really admire your dedication.  As I understand it, when running a successful blog, “content is king”. How do you keep it fresh?

Glen Google email alerts have been my best friend for years, as well as Google News.  Being a full-time blogger is just like being a writer for any other publication you have to research.  In other words I go out and look for interesting things.  I also think because I am not female I look at the plus size community from a different set of eyes which enables me to direct my passion differently and keep things fresh and on point.

PSA That’s very good advice for any aspiring blogger.  People of size face a lot of challenges from finding stylish plus size clothing that fit to being targeted by obesity legislation and more.  Are there any plus size issues that you especially feel passionate about?

Glen The supposed Fat Tax is something that makes my blood boil.  There have been studies done for years that state obesity increases the RISK of things but the fat critics out there view it as obesity is a CAUSE of disease which in my opinion is a bunch of bull.  The CDC and people like Meme Roth just chap my hide when they try to politicize people’s weight.

PSA I couldn’t agree more Glen and I think your doing a great job advocating for plus size issues. I’m a little aware of your involvement in the first ever Full Figure Fashion Week in New York, what can you share with us about your experience there and what do you think the future has in store for the event?

Glen I had the pleasure of being involved with Full Figured Fashion Week last year as a witness to history as well as a member of a panel discussion on issues within the plus size community.  Before this even I considered myself a behind the scenes blogger, but when I hit the ground running there were people who knew me and my blog and treated me like I was a celebrity.  LOL I still don’t know how to deal with people treating a grunt level guy like me special.  Let me tell you it was an honor to be the only man among some of the movers and shakers in the plus size fashion and modeling community and blogging.  Meeting people like Gwen Devoe, Sharon Quinn, Marie Denee, Johara Tucker and others was surreal!  This year’s activities are June 16-19 and just like last year I will be there.  I think this event will be the future of plus size events in the world!

PSA Grunt level guy or not your still part of the movers and shakers that are forming the future of the web and the plus size movement. For a long time traditional forms of media had all the power and that’s not the case anymore.  The internet has really expanded the individual’s power and options. What roll do you think blogs will play in the future of the plus size community?

Glen I think that blogs will play a big part not only how information is created but the speed in which it can be disseminated to the masses.  When you combine blogging with social networking I think there is going to be a major shift in traditional media channels.  One sign is a good friend of mine worked for 15 years as the art director for a major US Newspaper.  Last year he walked away from it to start his own design business with a big emphasis on social media.  I think if blogs can affect change like that then the sky is the limit to their influence on the media..

PSA If you’re like me there are several blogs you like to hang out in from time to time. Which blogs do you frequent?

Glen Wow this is kind of a tough one.  First off I must say that a lot of the blogs I liked are now defunct.  But when it comes to the ones I read on a regular they are the plus size clothing scoop, Plus Size Network, Problogger, Shoemoney though I have dozens in my Google Reader account.

PSA What are some of the oldest plus size blogs that you are aware of?

Glen Plus Size Network is the oldest plus size blogs I know about at 10 years old.  Sizenet is a UK blog that give a very good account of the plus-size issues in UK.  After that I would have to say Big Fat Blog at 9 years.  And of course Full Figure Plus which is 5 years old!

PSA You and I have exchanged emails in the past and one of the things that we both agree on is that we are currently riding the crest of a wave when it comes to plus size fashion and businesses catering to plus size needs. What are some of the up and coming areas that you see on our horizon?

Glen I feel that there will be a huge jump in plus size modeling as well as more plus size fashion brick and mortar stores to open up.  Additionally I think there will be many barriers broken down as a result of the exposure from Glamour and V Magazines.  Also be on the lookout for magazines like SKORCH to break new ground in 2010.

PSA What do you think about shopping for plus size clothing online?  What are the advantages and pitfalls that you see?

Glen The first thing I think about is the look of the clothes.  If there is one thing I cannot stand to see if clothes for larger sizes without any shape or trendy personality to them.  It is sad that plus size fashion had to explode online before it is being accepted in a luke warm fashion in retail stores.  The advantage to shopping online is getting what you want and sometimes being able to get piece not available everywhere.  Another advantage is being able to shop anytime you want.  The disadvantage is dealing with various sizes from independent designers combined with a core audience who does not know much about getting properly measured so problems involving returns gum up the process.

PSA Now for some light hearted questions, what do you like to do in your spare time, what’s your favorite food, you know just tell us a little bit about Glen the person.

Glen Well when I do get a bit of free time I spend it with my wife who is the principle model on Full Figure Plus for the items companies send me.  I am currently in grad school attending Ashford University to earn my MBA in Entrepreneurship.  Running a business by myself is tough and I need all the knowledge I can get!  I like to read and travel two things I haven’t been able to do much of.  I have a huge weakness for bread.  I have not met a type of bread that I will not figure out some way of making a sandwich or using it in soup.  To give back I am Cubmaster of my son’s Cub Scout pack.  Let me tell you helping to shape 1^st-5^th grade boys is a challenge but I love it!  I also like to take pictures.  All of the photos of my wife on FFP are taken and edited by me personally.

PSA I think those Cub Scouts are in pretty good hands. If there was one thing you would like to say to the readers of PSA about Full Figure Plus what would it be?

Glen Full Figure Plus is a labor of love for plus size women and a few big and tall men to be able to find whatever they need to build a quality wardrobe at an affordable price without the frustrations of going into stores they know nothing is in their size.  Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my blog I am truly honored by the chance to share my story with you.

PSA Thanks Glen, it’s been a real pleasure. We will be keeping an eye on you and Full Figure Plus as well as looking forward to the continued success of Full Figure Fashion Week!  More power to you.

Article and Interview done by Bobby G. Keith

Tags: Bobby G. Keith, Glen L. Johnson, Plus Size Advocacy, Plus Size Blogging, PLus Size Business Opportunities, Plus Size Fashions, Women's plus size clothing