Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ariana Joy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ariana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission with my business is to show people that who they naturally are isn’t something to change or overcome in order to get where they want to be; it’s the ticket to getting there. We all operate differently, and that’s never something that’s “better” or “worse,” because there is no true one way to be.

I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to be someone else: from how I work, to how I talk, even to how I feel my emotions. That’s because I really did feel, at my core, like I was just… wrong. Who I was didn’t seem to line up with what I was told was the One True Standard, so I always felt like I was failing by being me.

Not only that, I was trying to launch a business and create a life I could be proud of — but I felt crushed by “rules” and advice that felt like absolutely trash to me. They didn’t feel like they were built for me, but everyone said I had to follow them. I did, not to much success (and to a lot of depression and anxiety).

Finding Human Design, although I didn’t realize it at first, showed me it really didn’t have to be that way. It affirmed the sneaking suspicion I had underneath, that maybe I didn’t like doing the “have-to”s because they simply weren’t correct for me.

What I love most about Human Design is it teaches us there really is no standard — in who we are OR how we operate. We are each meant to be different, and that can never be wrong. We were built that way. Each of us brings a gift to the world through who we are and what we do.The way that feels good to us is the way we’re meant to do things, even if (actually especially if) it doesn’t line up with how everyone else is doing it, what conventional wisdom tells us we should do, or the things our mind tries to convince us is the smarter way.

At the end of the day, I just want people to understand that who they are is who they’re meant to be; and it’s the same for everyone else. When we accept that, we can each go our own way even if it’s incredibly different from how someone else will do that. Each way is valid, no way is better or worse… and I think that’s so beautiful.

Ariana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my career as a B2B copywriter. I had the amazing opportunity, right out of college to work for a high-level local business owner I really looked up to. However, I very soon realized the 9-5 thing was 100% not my thing; even when I didn’t have a lot on my plate, I ended each day burnt out and eventually depressed.

Meanwhile, I wanted to start my own business, but felt crushed under the pressure to fit into all the guidelines I apparently had to follow.

At the same time, there was something that kept bringing me a ton of joy: Human Design. I was giving readings to friends and family on the side, and I decided to start a blog, Just Follow Joy — just as a creative outlet — where I wrote about Human Design, copywriting, and how to use the two together.

My mentor asked me, “Why don’t you just become a Human Design reader for a living?” and even though it sounded ridiculous to me, I realized it was what I really wanted to do.

Soon, I reached the point where I knew I had to leave my office job. In early 2021, I made the leap to go full-force with my business, where I teach Human Design, give 1:1 readings, and offer Human Design-based copywriting for business owners.

I haven’t looked back since!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The toughest thing for me to “unlearn” in my business was this idea that I had to have everything planned out, strategic, and clear-cut before moving forward. I had to have my niche super clearly defined; I had to have a calendar I followed; I had to have super detailed client avatars. I was terrified that if I didn’t have it all figured out, I was leaving so much on the table and I was really going to regret not making a smarter decision.

I had to realize, though, that I really didn’t need any of that — I was just really afraid of not looking like the “smart and strategic” business owner. In reality, I’ve been able to attract lots of clients and sales by following my intuition in the moment, and doing what felt right (without tons of systems or a business plan).

Of course, this will be different for everyone. In Human Design, I’m really not built for being highly strategic or even having plans, but you might be! Knowing that is what’s important.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I think it’s really funny that everyone says you have to be on social media to be seen — because even though I am on it, I actually get most of my clients through my blog articles and guest appearances on podcasts. I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise to me, since those are the things I actually really love doing, and I always teach that what you love is what you’re meant to be doing!

Contact Info:

• Website: justfollowjoy.com
• Instagram: @justfollowjoyhd
• Other: Just Follow Joy podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RkZmDFM2cWvmQbgvoIOfq?si=08f702c9192f4f0b

Image Credits
Photographer: Heloisa de Oliveira