We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joyful Genia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joyful Genia below.

Hi Joyful Genia, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Halfway through 2018, I was deeply unhappy with my life although most people around me wouldn’t have noticed. I woke up every morning feeling sick because I dreaded going to work. I’d stay late because I was too drained to socialize, and I didn’t want to turn down invitations for cocktails. The drive home was filled with dread, knowing that I still had to deal with a pile of dishes and come up with something to cook for dinner. It was during one of those drives to work that I had a sudden realization — I needed to make a change to create more joyful moments in my life. I asked myself two questions, “How would it benefit me to create more joyful moments and how do I get there?” I was exhausted from pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t, and I was ready to embrace gratitude and joy. Realizing that I needed a change was like finding a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day. It was the beginning of something amazing!

My journey toward joy began with simple steps. I started keeping a GRATITUDE journal, writing down things I was thankful for every morning and night. I imagined waking up with excitement and planning fun activities for the evenings. As my mindset shifted, I felt my spirits lifting. I even began drawing colorful pictures of things that made me happy and writing gratitude notes to my co-workers. Despite the stressful moments that still popped up, I could feel the tide turning. I realized I wasn’t alone in this struggle when I joined in on late-night chats with friends and colleagues about our collective dissatisfaction with work and life.

One night, while driving to meet a friend for cocktails and to complain about work, an inspiration of JOY latched onto me like a butterfly on a bright flower. The idea for Create a Magical Day was born! If I could benefit from simple, joyful tips, so could others. I quickly snagged the domain www.createamagicalday.com. I probably shouldn’t have been buying domains while driving, but I was just too excited to wait! (Don’t worry, I waited until I was at a light!) I was buzzing with excitement! The idea of spreading joy and helping others find it in their daily lives was exhilarating.

People always ask, “Genia, how on earth did you get started in all this joy work?”​

My curiosity about what makes people truly happy has always been a driving force for me. I wanted to know what makes people genuinely happy, successful and creatively fulfilled? Why do some struggle while others find a way to thrive, often despite the most challenging circumstances? My curiosity about human potential drove me to explore everything from entrepreneurship to psychology, fitness, and even spirituality. My unique mix of skills and interests was the key to creating something truly special for me and others who needed an extra boost of joy in their lives. I channeled all that energy into Create a Magical Day, eager to share my personal tips and experiences with the world.

With Create a Magical Day, I wanted to help others find joy amid the craziness of everyday life. It wasn’t just about big changes; it was about discovering the small moments that make life magical. The journey had just begun, and I knew I was onto something wonderful. People started to connect with my message, and that kept me energized. I was excited to share my passion with the world, knowing that each small step towards joy could make a big difference in someone’s life.

My 5 Simple Tips for Joyful Living are the perfect way to kickstart your happy journey (without any major life changes!).

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

I grew up in Texas in a modest Black American home with Girl Scout cookie sales, backyard BBQs, a dad who was a Special Olympics Coach, a brother who was a Special Olympics Athlete and a creative entrepreneurial mother. Our home was like a little bed and breakfast – new people were always staying with us. I grew up with affirmations, quotes and bible verses – because that’s what my dad was into. I came from positivity, that’s true, and I’m so grateful for that! Even though they ended up going through a divorce when I was a teenager, my mom taught me something that defined my whole life. Let gratitude and forgiveness guide me. Meaning, there is nothing in life that you can’t experience, achieve, transform or transcend – as long as you’re filled up with the confidence a joy-filled heart can give you. Joy, after all, is inextricably related to gratefulness (according to one of my favorites, Brené Brown).

I’m a girl on a mission to save Corporate Americans from the trap of burnout, stress and anxiety that’s become all too commonplace in our world. I know, because I used to be there. And now that I’ve learned the secrets to turning my life around and being able to tap into joy whenever I so choose, I want nothing more than to help busy professionals like me do the same. Whether that’s through the beautiful practice of journaling or actually low-key practicing breath exercises in the midst of a high stakes departmental meeting – I and my team of Joy Creators have all the tips to get what most people want out of life, more joy.

Featured in O Magazine & Oprah Daily for vision board tips and tricks and lead training strategist for one of the world’s largest Fortune 500 companies, I’m impassioned by magical Joy Tips that work for busy professionals. I’m the host of the podcast Create a Magical Day and owner of the whimsical joy-filled boutique of the same name. I have taught corporate managers, career-driven moms and go-getters from all walks of life how to have more joy on a regular basis – backing it up with daily action to create results. My joy-centered events and products make joy more accessible for the average, stressed-out American.

Create a Magical Day is not only the title of my company and podcast. It’s the mantra I live by and the key to a joyful, prosperous, freedom-rich life. My morning routine over the last 4 years is proof of me living my mantra fully. You can catch me sipping yummy tea, writing daily graitude, coloring in my coloring books, blowing my morning bubbles and dancing to Beyonce’.

Our mission at Create a Magical Day is to help busy professionals embrace that belief and provide interactive workshops, tools and support needed to get everything desired out of life-and then some. We’re here to serve. My company’s built on a bedrock of love, a passion for what’s possible and a commitment to be an unstoppable force for good.

Through our free content, workshops, joy products and more – we’re in this to make a difference. To help busy professionals build a joyful life they truly love. A life that’s one-of-a-kind and joyfully tailored for them. Whether someone is starting or growing their joy journey or looking to make a big change in their personal life, we’re here to help them reach the highest levels of joyful potential and tap into the deepest wisdom within.

Now, I don’t have all the answers. I make mistakes, have crappy days and get mired in fear and self-doubt, just like the rest of humanity. But my commitment to my “Joy Creators” is unwavering: share the best of my experiences and learnings, staying real and honest along the way. Forget about polished perfection; expect thought-provoking ideas, timeless wisdom, a sprinkle of childlike wonder, and a fierce dedication to helping live the most expansive, expressive, and joyful life.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Every week, I reach out to my “Joy Creators” through vibrant emails and a buzzing Facebook community (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2151280468467718), fostering a space where positivity thrives. My emails are sunshine in your inbox – brimming with tips on celebrating “Small Wins” (that perfect cup of coffee or receiving a kind gesture from a stranger), sharing “Inspirational Content” (uplifting stories, fun ideas and bit of lightheartedness to brighten the day), and offering “Joyful Tips” (practical suggestions for adding more happiness to daily life because happiness thrives with a little extra sunshine).

The Facebook group is a symphony of joy! We do “joy check-ins,” share our sparkly moments, and support each other in the pursuit of joyful living.

The true magic happens when a Joy Creator replies to an email, sharing how my content brightened their day. It’s like a warm cup of happiness for me, fueling the fire to keep spreading the good stuff. Knowing I contribute to a more joyful world and a supportive community keeps me going – it’s pure magic!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Every year, I embark on a new adventure with a guiding word. 2020 was all about “joyful living!” Excitement buzzed through me – I’d returned to Austin from Houston to be near my dad, landed a dream job at Google, and had epic trips planned with loved ones on the horizon. But life, as it often does, had other plans.

Just 15 days into the year, my world shattered. My dad, my rock, my partner-in-crime, passed away unexpectedly. Grief, a monstrous wave, threatened to drown me. We were two peas in a pod; his unwavering support, infectious optimism, and shoulder to cry on were suddenly gone. Finding him myself added another layer of unbearable pain.

Here’s the thing about grief – it doesn’t follow a script. While the world braced for the looming pandemic, my personal storm raged within. (Wow, writing this is getting me a little teary eyed, but you get the picture.)

But let’s talk about Dad! My Dad, a man who defined joy. He was sunshine personified. Our house was a revolving door for anyone needing a haven, his laughter echoing through the halls. He could quote scripture faster than you could say “amen,” he prioritized family above all else, and his storytelling skills were legendary. Sure, his tales sometimes stretched on a bit, but that was just part of his charm. A master salesman for South Western Bell Yellow Pages, the pre-Google era, he could “sell black out of night” with the best of them.

His kindness went beyond the boardroom. He’d part my hair before school, become my personal shopping buddy, and shower me with love and encouragement. He believed in me like nobody’s business, and I could talk about him for hours – a testament to the joy he brought to my life, and countless others.

Determined to honor my word for the year, I clung to the concept of joyful living. My Instagram platform, “Create a Magical Day,” had become a hub for spreading joy. I committed to continuing my posts, sharing my own journey from crushing grief to glimmers of joy.

This platform became my anchor. By helping others find joy, I found ways to reclaim it for myself. Hosting virtual workshops sparked pure magic, proving the truth – we learn best by teaching. It wasn’t a cure-all, but it was a spark in the darkness.

For a short while, Oreos became my comfort food. Not the healthiest choice, but hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do – they offered a temporary solace. Thankfully, self-awareness is a superpower I possess. I recognized the pattern – the sugar rush, the tightening jeans. With grace and a gentle nudge, I promised myself to revisit this coping mechanism later. A month passed, and the answer was clear: the Oreos had served their purpose. It was time to move on.

My focus on joy became my North Star in this storm. The year kept throwing punches. My best friend, the first person I called after I found dad, left my life. My son, innocently caught in a protest, was injured by police. My marriage crumbled. And then came the isolating reality of Covid.

Through it all, the glimmers of joy remained. I credit my resilience to those who helped me navigate the darkness: my rock-solid family and friends, the incredible clients who believed in me, and the belief in joy itself.

2020 wasn’t the joyful year I envisioned, but it became a testament to the human spirit’s ability to find light even in the deepest despair. It was a year of immense loss, yes, and also a year of unexpected harmony. It taught me that joy is a choice, a practice, a wellspring of strength that resides within us all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.createamagicalday.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createamagicalday/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createamagicalday
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyfulgenia/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@createamagicalday
• Other: Joy Creators Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2151280468467718Joyful Genia IG: https://www.instagram.com/joyfulgenia/ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/createamagicalday

Image Credits
Gem Hale and Lameka Kelley