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

Alright, Joy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

One of the most beautiful things about running a small business is the freedom to serve people in a way that reflects both passion and purpose. At Life’s Little Joys Childcare Services, one of the key ways we diverge from the typical childcare industry model is by offering Christian discipleship to families who desire it, while also respectfully serving families of all beliefs.

We count it a privilege to come alongside Christian families who want their children nurtured not only educationally and socially, but spiritually. With parental permission, we intentionally teach little ones about Jesus, guiding them in love, kindness, obedience, and faith-planting seeds that we trust God will grow.

At the same time, we joyfully and respectfully care for non-Christian families, ensuring that our environment remains welcoming, inclusive, and rooted in love. We never impose our faith but honor every parent’s wishes. And when families do invite us to share our faith-we do so with grace, joy, and humility.

As part of that discipleship, we have the opportunity to share the Gospel-the Good News, in an age-appropriate manner, that every single one of us is a sinner in need of a Savior. Jesus Christ came down in human form, without sin or imperfection, to live the life we could not live. As it says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment we deserved, so that we can be reconciled to the Father. We get the opportunity to teach the fruits of the Spirit, review the stories of the Old Testament, discuss God’s love for us – all in hopes to place truth in the hearts of the little ones.

This message of hope, love, and redemption is at the core of what we do. We believe that planting these seeds today can lead to fellowship with the Lord tomorrow. God rejoices and awaits that fellowship—because He loves us dearly and desires for all to come to know Him.

Scripture reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, ESV). That verse is the heartbeat of our purpose. Every story time, every hug, every moment of correction or celebration is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love.

Whether we’re praying over a little one’s scraped knee or singing a worship song with those who want it, our goal remains the same: to care for every child as Christ cares for us—with compassion, patience, and joy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Joy Bennett, the founder of Life’s Little Joys Childcare Services here in Cleveland, Ohio. I started this company out of a deep passion for serving families and helping children grow in environments that are safe, loving, and rooted in purpose. As a wife, step-mom, and devoted Christian, I understand how important it is to entrust your little ones to someone who genuinely cares for their well-being—mind, body, and soul.

Through Life’s Little Joys, I’ve been blessed to create a service that does more than just babysit—we build connections, encourage creativity, support learning, and, when invited, share the love of Christ with the next generation.

About Life’s Little Joys Childcare Services

At Life’s Little Joys, our mission is to provide babysitting services that’s not only dependable but also joyful, enriching, and tailored to each family’s unique needs. We proudly serve the Cleveland area with a variety of thoughtfully designed packages, including:

The Artsy Package – Perfect for creative kids, this package is all about fun enrichment activities that spark imagination and artistic expression.

The Study Buddy Package – This one’s for school-aged children who need academic support or just a little extra help with homework. And for families who desire it, we offer Christian discipleship alongside academic enrichment.

The General Care Package – Designed especially for children under 3, this package focuses on safe, loving care with age-appropriate activities right in your home.

Event Babysitting Services – We also provide professional, reliable childcare at weddings, conferences, church events, and private gatherings—allowing parents to fully enjoy their experience knowing their children are safe, engaged, and well cared for.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to excellence and safety. All of our sitters go through a rigorous screening process, including background checks, reference checks, drug testing, and CPR certification. You can trust that when you book with Life’s Little Joys, your child is in capable and caring hands.

We’re here to serve, love, and uplift every family we meet—whether it’s through a warm smile, a fun afternoon of painting, or a gentle prayer over your child. My hope is that every child we serve feels seen, safe, and supported—and that every seed planted today will bear fruit for years to come.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Since adolescence, I had one clear goal: to become a lawyer. In middle school, my mother began signing me up to tour law schools and actively sought out legal mentors for me. By high school, I was researching the top law schools in the country. In college, I pursued an English degree and joined the law club on campus—every step intentionally preparing me for law school and a career within the legal system.

But everything changed in May 2020.

Although I come from a large family and had been caring for children since the age of 13, childcare was always a side hustle—something I did naturally, but never saw as my career path. That changed when God called me to turn what I saw as a temporary job into my life’s work.

After graduating from Alma College in Michigan, I moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to complete a year of service with City Year. I originally planned to move to South Carolina to continue serving for a second year. But one early morning around 5 a.m., God woke me up with undeniable clarity: He was calling me to build something right where I was. That morning, I stayed up until 7 a.m. strategizing what would become Life’s Little Joys Childcare Services. I had peace and I knew I was walking in purpose.

With only a month before my scheduled move to South Carolina, I changed course. I secured housing and employment in Cleveland and began funding the foundation of Life’s Little Joys entirely out of my own income—no loans, just faith and obedience.

The name Life’s Little Joys holds deep meaning. My mother, who is also named Joy, owned a home daycare when I was growing up. In many ways, I am continuing her legacy—walking a road that honors both her and the Lord’s calling on my life.

What began as a side hustle has now grown into a God-led mission: to provide excellent, intentional childcare that supports families and reflects the love of Christ. I am honored to walk this path and to serve families with compassion, creativity, and purpose.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I come from a family of entrepreneurs and was raised by a mother who firmly believes that with enough patience and perseverance, you can learn to do anything yourself. That mindset shaped me deeply. So, when I began my entrepreneurial journey, I approached it with the same determination-I was ready to wear every hat.

I tried to be the marketing director, the HR specialist, the administrative manager, and even the graphic designer. I was driven, but I didn’t yet have the skills or knowledge to truly thrive in all those areas. The truth is, I’m not an artistic person, and my early designs reflected that. I didn’t fully understand the legalities and best practices of HR, and that showed in my interview questions and onboarding materials.

Eventually, I had to confront a lesson that went against everything I had been taught: I couldn’t-and didn’t have to-do it all on my own.

I needed help. Sometimes, that meant just asking simple questions and getting guidance from those with more experience. Other times, it meant bringing in experts-like a skilled graphic designer to give Life’s Little Joys the clean, professional look I envisioned, or an HR consultant who could ensure we were aligned with best practices and compliance standards.

I had to unlearn the idea that success meant being a one-woman show. What I truly needed was to focus on the areas where my gifts shine-and seek support in the areas where others could do it better.

There is strength in collaboration, wisdom in asking for help, and beauty in allowing others to pour into your vision. Life’s Little Joys has grown not just because of my efforts, but because I chose to stop doing it all alone-and start building a team that reflects the excellence we aim to deliver.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lifeslittlejoyscs.com
• Instagram: @lifeslittlejoyscs
• Facebook: Life’s Little Joys Childcare Services
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-s-little-joys-childcare-services/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lifes-little-joys-childcare-services-cleveland

Image Credits

Photo Credits: Kadrian, Owner of Foreign World Media – Foreignworldmedia.com