Manager of the year : Ariana Johnson

Ariana Johnson is manager of the year here in Hayward. She was awarded the honor at the 2025 Hayward Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner.

Johnson is the owner of businesses Sweetgrass and Sage, Rugged Roots, the Lot, AJ & Sons Construction, and new business Heart and Home. 

Johnson was born and raised in Hayward and is a member of the Lac Courte Oreille Tribe. After graduating, she moved away for about ten years, but she and her husband decided to move back to raise their children in Hayward and be closer to her family in Lac Courte Oreilles and Hayward. 

While supporting people in prior roles, Johnson says she’s always wanted to own her own store and make an impact.

“I just knew I had to do something for myself and get that outlet of creativity. So, that’s when I started Sweetgrass & Sage and that was about three years ago. It just took off from there so we had all these other opportunities that came to us and it’s been a wild ride,” says Johnson.

Johnson received the Manager of the year award in the for-profit business category during the annual Hayward Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner. As a Indigenous woman, Johnson says this award was very meaningful to her.

“Even when you’re talking about it I just have this warmth within myself. It just feels so good to feel accepted. Not only for myself to know that I’m doing things and other people seeing it as a good thing, it makes me feel awesome. Just knowing that I’m making an impact and then having my community support me is huge. I couldn’t ask for anything more honestly,” says Johnson.

Johnson says her future plans will be focusing on the Lot and its expansion.