In this powerful episode of The Joy Work Show, Diane is joined by workplace culture strategist and founder of Culture Kick, Becky Ray. Together, they unpack what it really takes to create a thriving, joyful business from the inside out.

From her engineering background to launching a business during COVID, Becky shares her honest journey into entrepreneurship and why company culture is the secret sauce behind lasting success.

They dive deep into leadership challenges, the importance of psychological safety, and how to avoid the burnout-driven hustle that so many founders fall into. Becky introduces her Culture Cake framework — a practical (and deliciously named!) model for building intentional, empowering environments where both people and profits grow.

Whether you’re a solopreneur building a dream team, or a leader rethinking your company’s foundation, this episode offers actionable insights on team dynamics, effective communication, and the underestimated power of joy in the workplace.

Connect with Becky:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/culture_kick_/

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-ray-culturekick

https://www.linkedin.com/company/culture-kick-ltd

Website⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.culturekick.co.uk

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join The Joy Work Members Club Waitlist Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.taylorparkerservicesltd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dianetaylorparke⁠r

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Becky Ray and Culture Kick

05:55 Becky's Journey: From Engineering to Business

08:55 The Birth of Culture Kick

11:48 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

14:50 The Importance of Saying No

17:49 Understanding Workplace Culture

20:36 The Role of Leadership in Culture

23:56 Creating a Positive Work Environment

26:43 Fundamentals of a Strong Company Culture

29:55 The Culture Cake Framework

32:46 Frustrations into Focus: Addressing Workplace Issues

37:24 Empowering a Speak-Up Culture

38:54 Learning from Failure

41:02 Everyday Learning and Reflection

43:43 The Importance of Culture in Business

46:01 Investing in Internal Culture

47:04 Finding Joy in Authenticity

52:59 Influential Mentors and Books

58:57 Breaking Free from the 'Stuck' Mentality

01:04:31 Creating a Joyful Legacy

01:06:05 The Heartbeat of Business Culture

01:09:02 Intentional Culture Building

Sound Bites

"You can't do your best work safe."

"What is frustrating you today?"

"You can do hard things."

Takeaways

Most businesses fail in the first five years.

Culture is happening whether you design it or not.

You can't do your best work unsafe.

The fish rots from the head down.

We need to make it easy for people to get stuff done.

What is frustrating you today?

You can do hard things.

Moaning without action is a joy killer.

You can have a really good time and be successful.

Let's have a good time at work because it is possible.