We recently connected with Joye Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Joye, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I absolutely love being a business owner (although I never intended to be one). Growing up, I always wanted to be a professional speaker and encourage people through speaking. The blessing is that I have spent the last 18 years doing just that as a speaker, workshop facilitator, coach and manager. The difference…I was doing it for others. But something happened in 2013. I applied for a job as a Training Manager for an organization in Houston. My (then) manager asked me where I saw myself in five years. I said, very confidently, “When my girls (I have twins) start elementary school, I want to be working for myself!” That was the first time I had spoken that dream out loud to someone other than my family.
In 2020, that organization reduced its staff, and I lost my job. During that time, I reconnected with my old manager and told her what happened. Her response shocked me! She said that she wasn’t surprised that I had lost my job. Rather than become immediately offended, I asked her to explain. She reminded me of my declaration during my job interview with her seven years prior. That year, my daughters started 1st grade. God’s timing was perfect! Not only was this the opportunity for me to start the next chapter in my life, but it was also the time for me to fulfill my declaration nearly seven years ago!
So here we are! I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to do what I love…encourage others to walk in their God-given purpose. I can honestly say that I don’t wonder what it would be like to have a “regular” job. Probably not for the reasons you would think though. I believe that none of us are regular. We are all special, unique and gifted in ways that make us our authentic selves. Therefore, since none of us are regular, then the work we do isn’t regular either. It is necessary. It is powerful and it is life-changing!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
Speaking of Joye was created to encourage people to unleash the power within and walk in their God-given purpose. The work we do is designed to create strategies for clients who want to transition from where they are to where they want to be. We offer three areas to do so: Purpose Coaching (also called Joy for the Journey), Strategic Planning (also called Purpose in Practice) and Professional Speaking.
Joy for the Journey is a 90-day coaching experience that empowers women to see themselves as God sees them. Together, we take a journey through their Values, Voice, Valleys, Victories and Vision. It was created for women who find themselves full, but not fulfilled. In other words, they aren’t in search of what’s wrong…they are in search of what’s missing. They identify that there is something more. They’ve spent years enjoying success, but still yearn for something new or different. That yearning is the special, unique gift that God has placed in their life. My goal is to help them identify it, and develop ways to bring it to the world!
Purpose in Practice is a strategic planning program for women owned small businesses. The goal is to support women who are: (1) starting a business, (2) pivoting in their business, (3) or feel stuck in their business. Together, we create business frameworks, strategies and structures that help these entrepreneurs scale and sustain their businesses. We offer strategic planning, project planning, DiSC assessment & facilitation, and project management support to see our clients businesses move from purpose and passion to planning and practice.
The speaking arm of Speaking of Joye uses my education in Adult Learning to create engaging content and opportunities for my audiences to go on a journey of discovery, motivation and implementation. Through speaking engagement, content creation, and workshop facilitation, we provide our clients with custom, captivating and creative resources and techniques that can be easily understood and applied.
The one commitment that makes Speaking of Joye such an awesome service-based company is the way we partner with our clients. No two clients are alike. Therefore, no two experiences will be the same. We believe in connecting with our clients in ways that develop true, authentic relationships that transcend the traditional views of coach and client. I am 100% invested in seeing my clients fulfill their purpose, and walk with them each step of the way toward achieving it. The work we do is service. It’s heart-centered. It’s ministry.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Wow! What an awesome question because I am still learning this today! To be honest, I am building my social media audience one person at a time. I have never truly been a fan of social media! I used to always joke, “Don’t follow me, follow Christ!” When I started Speaking of Joye, I had no idea how to truly manage my social media. I researched algorithms and formulas, watched YouTube videos, and paid for classes on how to grow your following. Let me tell you…it was so discouraging when I would only see one new follower at a time. I got so frustrated that I decided to go on a social media strike. During that time, I realized three things:
1. God has called people to me, and the ones He has called will come…in His time.
2. Social media does not define who I am or what my business has to offer. It is a tool, not the essence of the business.
3. My social media journey is my own. I can’t look at others’ content, followers, or strategies and expect my process to be the same.
So what’s the best advice I can give someone? Identify your “why” for social media. It’s so easy to get lost in the phenomena of social media that you lose yourself. Do what’s authentic to you. There’s no “one size fits all” solution and what worked for some may not work for you. In addition, what worked last month may not work this month. So give yourself, your content and followers grace.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The hardest lesson for me was that I am not for everyone, and that Speaking of Joye is not for everyone either. I’ll be honest. There hasn’t been much in my life that I have done that has not turned out successful. Not because I am that good, but because I take calculated risks. I typically only take on challenges that allow me to be successful. If I’m not going to be good at it, I won’t do it. This philosophy has served me well personally and professionally; but it is not that easy as an entrepreneur. Rejection is a part of the process. For years, I took rejection personally. The idea of someone telling me “no” would take me on a journey of self-pity, negative self-talk and insecurity. As an entrepreneur, I’ve had to develop tough skin, and realize that “no” is necessary. The “no’s” have helped me better define my audience, my content and my strategies. In addition, they have helped me develop more confidence in myself and my business. I know who I am and what I have to offer. So hearing no doesn’t paralyze me anymore. In fact, it does just the opposite…it encourages me to continue. Why? Because what Speaking of Joye has to offer is designed for certain clients. Who are they? The ones who say “yes!”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.speakingofjoye.
com/ and https://mailchi.mp/ speakingofjoye.com/feuvt1v1ih - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/speakingofjoye - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/speakingofjoye - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/speaking-of- joye-llc-6672161b3/ - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/UCsq-eJa_ rWvUH5ZosoPAa_Q