We were lucky to catch up with Kristin Green recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kristin, appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

I don’t know if craziest is the right word, I would use impactful. While helping a capsule closet client declutter her closet I asked her, “What inspired your minimalist journey?” Her answer stuck with me ever since she shared her deeper ‘why.’ She said, “I realized I needed minimalism, to finally get my home in order because I want to realize my dream of finally opening a sandwich shop. The first step in doing that is it get my home in order.” This for sure was a mic drop moment for me and why I am so passionate about what I do. It’s not just aesthetics, having a pretty space, it changes everything. Decluttering and having the right systems in place to create a simple, peaceful home is the vehicle to focus on what matters, you can fill in the blank here. In that moment I realized I wanted to help more women experience the freedom and be equipped to live this intentional, clutter-free life. While I love my in-person clients, this story motivated me to create a 1:1 program, The Simple Home Society, to empower women to live this lifestyle.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Absolutely! I’m Kristin Green, Founder of The Joyful Minimalist Co. I help busy women minimize the clutter, reclaim their home and time, and thrive with less. Even as a little girl I remember finding joy and peace in organizing my room and making it functional and beautiful. Now as a mom to 3 (plus 1 mini cavapoo pup named Nell), and amazing husband, life is full, I get it! But our schedules and homes don’t have to be overwhelming. Over the past 14 years on my own minimalist journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons in each stage of life (with and without kids) and every sized home (a studio condo overlooking Elliott Bay to nearly 3000 sq ft in the suburbs), the principles still apply. Whether you need help removing the guesswork from getting dressed, decluttering your home, or desire a DIY plan guided by my minimalist methods, I can help you clarify what matters and let go of the rest, so you enjoy the things and people you love. So why does minimalism matter? While I love a good aesthetic, I will never recommend adding more bins, baskets, or complicated systems to an already cluttered space. My sustainable values promote consuming intentionally, using what you have first, and working with the space you have – it’s about creating the clutter-free lifestyle.

My main services include in person home edits and capsule wardrobes (building an intentional closet), and an exclusive 1:1 virtual coaching program, The Simple Home Society, focused on achieving a clutter-free home and sustainable systems to gain time back in your schedule.

I’m most proud about going for it. 4 years ago I had no idea what I was doing, revamped my IG and created one offer focused on closet edits and getting dressed. So many times I’ve questioned, doubted, dealt with imposter syndrome and wanted to give up, but I realized this is my passion to encourage and inspire other women to not settle and be more with less. The people and clients I’ve connected with through my business are amazing, I truly have the best clients and community and am so grateful!

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

That sales is sales-y. My dad was in sales his entire career and to this day is the most gregarious, hardworking person I know, he’s much more outgoing than me and bold. I thought I would never be in sales because I’m not a pushy person or super extroverted. As a business owner and being in direct sales for the past 2 years, I’m re-writing the script I’ve told myself. Instead, sales is service, it’s the vehicle. What I provide in my services helps women experience time freedom, joy, peace, and time freedom to focus on what matters. I could have the best thing, but if I’m not having conversations and sharing with others through sales, then what’s the point? How is that serving and helping and creating more impact? I am advocating for another woman’s transformation, that isn’t sales-y to me.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Small, consistent, messy action. Let go of perfection and just do it, show up, even if you don’t feel like it. I have a small, but engaged following and really try to foster community and connection. For a simple formula — 3 stories a day and 5 reels a week. Reels = new/growth, while carousels/posts = fostering/nurturing. Be specific about who you’re serving and talk to them. I am still a work in progress, but I know I will continue to grow because consistency over time builds, every single person who chooses to join me in my small corner I am so grateful for!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thejoyfulminimalist.com
• Instagram: @thejoyfulminimalist
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/kristingreen
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/thejoyfulminimalist/

Image Credits

Cortney Bigelow (portraits)
Home photos (me)