We were lucky to catch up with JOY EDWARDS recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi JOY, thanks for joining us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

One of the best ways I have ever shown appreciation to a customer was by recognizing her personally and publicly for her loyalty and support. This customer had consistently attended my events, supported my programs, and encouraged other women to join our community. She wasn’t just purchasing services—she was investing in the mission.

Instead of simply saying thank you, I took a moment during one of our gatherings to acknowledge her in front of the group. I shared how her presence, encouragement, and positive spirit had made a difference. I also presented her with a small appreciation gift and a handwritten note expressing my gratitude.

What made this moment so powerful was that it was genuine and intentional. It showed that I truly see and value the people who support my work. The customer became emotional, and later told me she felt honored, appreciated, and inspired to continue showing up and supporting the mission.

This experience reinforced my belief that appreciation is not just about rewards—it’s about recognition, connection, and making people feel like they matter. When customers feel valued, they don’t just remain customers; they become loyal supporters and advocates for your brand which leads to everlastings friendships.

JOY, 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?

For those who may not have read about me before, my name is Joy C. Edwards, and I am a motivational speaker, author, and community leader who is passionate about helping women rediscover their strength, rebuild their confidence, and step fully into their power. My work is rooted in empowerment, healing, and transformation, especially for women who have faced adversity, self-doubt, or life challenges that made them question their worth.

I got into this industry through my own life experiences. I realized that many women were silently carrying pain, rejection, and disappointment, yet still showing up for everyone else. I knew there had to be a space where women could feel supported, encouraged, and reminded that they are capable of winning in life. That realization led me to create platforms and programs focused on personal growth, mindset development, and emotional healing. Over time, what started as a passion turned into a calling and a purpose-driven business.

Today, I provide a variety of services and creative works designed to uplift and equip women. These include motivational speaking engagements, empowerment workshops, networking events, affirmation programs, and digital resources such as ebooks, journals, and coaching tools. Through initiatives like The Winning Circle, I create safe spaces where women can connect, collaborate, and grow together. My goal is not just to inspire women for a moment, but to give them practical tools to change their mindset and their lives.

The problems I help solve are deeply personal but very common. Many of my clients struggle with confidence, self-worth, direction, and emotional healing. Some feel stuck, overlooked, or unsure of their next steps. Others want to grow but don’t know where to start. I help them move from feeling defeated to feeling empowered, from feeling alone to feeling supported, and from surviving to truly thriving. I teach women how to strengthen their mindset, build resilience, and believe in themselves again.

What sets me apart from others is my authenticity and relatability. I don’t just speak about empowerment — I live it. I meet women where they are, without judgment, and I create environments where they feel safe to be honest about their struggles and dreams. My approach combines compassion with accountability, encouragement with action, and inspiration with real-life strategies. People connect with me because they can see themselves in my story and trust that I genuinely care about their growth.

One of the things I am most proud of is building a community where women support each other instead of competing with each other. Watching women who once felt invisible step forward with confidence, start businesses, heal from past wounds, and believe in themselves again is one of the greatest rewards of my work. Seeing transformation in others reminds me why I started this journey.

The main things I want potential clients, followers, and supporters to know about me and my brand are simple: I am committed to helping people win in life, no matter where they are starting from. My brand is built on encouragement, empowerment, and action. I believe everyone deserves a chance to grow, heal, and succeed. When you connect with my work, you are not just joining a program you are joining a community that believes in you.

At the heart of everything I do is one message: You can rebuild, you can rise, and you can win.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my business partner, Erica Edwards, during a collaborative project where we were both contributing our time, ideas, and energy to help build something meaningful. We quickly realized that we shared the same work ethic, vision, and passion for empowering others , during that collaboration, we realize that we were a force together.

We made a decision to create our own lane one where our voices would be heard, our work would be valued, and our vision could grow without limitations. That moment became the turning point that led us to build our own platform and partnership.

We combined our strengths, supported each other, and stepped out on faith to create opportunities not only for ourselves but for other women who needed a place to belong, grow, and be recognized. Our partnership is built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared mission to uplift others.

Looking back, I’m grateful for that experience because it taught us the power of standing up for ourselves and believing in our worth. It pushed us to stop waiting for permission and start building something of our own. Today, our work reflects that lesson — when you’re not given a seat at the table, sometimes the best thing you can do is build your own table.

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to wait for approval, recognition, or validation from others before stepping fully into my purpose.

For a long time, I believed that if I worked hard enough, stayed loyal, and supported others, my efforts would automatically be recognized and respected. I thought success meant fitting into spaces that were already created and proving my worth within them. But through experience especially during a collaborative project where my partner and I felt overlooked and undervalued I realized that waiting for validation can keep you stuck in places that don’t honor your gifts.

That experience became the backstory to my growth. It forced me to shift my mindset and unlearn the idea that someone else had to give me permission to lead, create, or succeed. I learned that respect starts with how you value yourself and the courage to build your own opportunities when the existing ones don’t align with your vision.

Today, the lesson I carry forward is this: you don’t have to shrink to fit into spaces that don’t recognize your worth. Sometimes the most powerful move you can make is to create your own lane and trust your voice. That shift changed not only my business journey but also my confidence as a leader.

It taught me that growth often requires unlearning old beliefs so you can step into who you were always meant to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iwinthebrand.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspireutees0/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.h.edwards.7