Today I'm chatting with one of my business besties, Nicole, who embodies everything this season of Joy First is about. After spending 13 years as a zookeeper making just over $30K/year at the peak of her career, Nicole started a family which led into a pivot into entrepreneurship. Since those first nervous steps into life as a photographer, she's built a profitable, truly scalable business that now allows her the income and freedom to travel internationally dozens of times a year, live the horse life: competing at shows alongside her teenage daughter, and even run a non-profit that in its first year managed to raise over a quarter million dollars for wildlife conservation.

One thing I love and admire about Nicole is how she's consistently leaned into what brings her joy—never what conventional wisdom said would make the most money. From becoming a pet photographer when "pet photography wasn't even a thing" to launching international photography retreats in castles and villas across Europe, she's built success by following her curiosity and pursuing passion.

In this episode dive deep into her transition from struggling photography business to online education empire, and how she's structured her life to accommodate her "neuro-spicy" tendencies that make doing repetitive tasks nearly impossible. Her super power is systems and let me tell you, she's a genius at it (I think spreadsheets might be her actual love language 😂)

You'll hear about a few of her most powerful "light bulb moments" and she shares candidly about how she balances it all: motherhood, entrepreneurship, the horses, the travel and her latest obsession: sourdough.

I love Nicole's version o joy first living and working— and I know it will inspire you to find your own route to build more wealth and impact your way: with more joy and freedom at the front.

• How Nicole's passion for animals led her from zookeeper to building a 6-figure pet photography business
• The moment she realized she could make $20K from one simple digital product and how it changed everything
• What particular type of revenue stream can create more stability and freedom for your business
• How her mastermind experience sparked a nonprofit that's now raised over $250K for wildlife conservation
• The systems she uses to run multiple businesses while traveling internationally

• Hair of the Dog Academy - Nicole's pet photography education business
• Hair of the Dog Conservation Fund - Nicole's nonprofit supporting wildlife conservation
• Nicole's Instagram: @nicolebigleyofficial
• Learn more about Commercial Pet Photography (our joint venture)
• Joy First Founders Circle - Join our private podcast to get bonus travel hacking content from Nicole (and lots more!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm 100% committed to amplifying women's voices, but today I'm giving a shout-out to a few men who have shaped my approach to creating the freedom-filled, joy-centered business I run today. From the pioneer of psychology-driven marketing to the spiritual CEO who helped me finally escape my inbox, these "bros" are surprisingly solid. Each guy featured in this episode introduced me to frameworks and mindset shifts that transformed how I work—and how I create time for, sustain and expand my joy first ways of working.

In addition to naming names, I'm sharing the top strategies I've borrowed from their playbooks and adapted to create my own joy-filled, profitable business model. You'll hear the highs and lows: the brick-and-mortar business that had me stuck, the time-for-money cycle that I feared I'd never escape, and how I created an online business that allowed me to live in Mallorca, Lake Como, and France - and travel all over the world exploring, while still serving my clients brilliantly.

I also reveal the unexpected encounter that led me to the 'bonus dude' (#6)—the billionaire who taught me the most profound lesson about joy and gifted me with a surprising lightbulb moment about the connection between play and productivity.

Whether you're curious about how to build a business model that supports the lifestyle you want, or you're looking for key strategic frameworks and tactics that actually work (without the typical toxic hustle culture), this episode bridges the gap between smart business tactics and joyful living.

Join me as I reveal which "marketing bro" advice I've kept, which I've modified, and how it all fits into creating a business that prioritizes joy without sacrificing results.

• The psychology framework that transformed my marketing (and how to use it ethically)
• The #1 secret ingredient that makes recurring revenue businesses actually retain members
• The big shift I made back in 2016 that is probably the most joyful business decision I've ever made
• The simple funnel filler that's bringing us 800-2,000 leads monthly
• The brand-related must-have that one bro (with 8 exits to his name) says is the #1, #2, and #3 most important factor in business success
• The unexpected secret to access bigger, clearer CEO thinking

• My Colour Brand Personality Quiz
• Book: "Launch"
• "The Membership Experience"
• Mind Your Business Podcast
• Book: "Ask Method"
• Book: "Viral Hero"
• Apply for our rebrand experiences: Brand in a Week, Super Bloom + Creator Club
• Founders' Circle - Our substack-style community
• Score App (formerly bucket.io)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your body knows something your mind hasn't yet recognized?

In this episode of Joy First, we are diving deep with Human Design business strategist Jazze Jervis into a revolutionary approach to work and life that challenges everything you've been taught about productivity and success. What we discovered might explain why certain business strategies leave you drained while others feel energizing.

Together we explore the one-size-fits-all business advice—the kind that has you doubting your abilities when the real issue might be something entirely different. Because here's what most business coaches won't tell you: what works brilliantly for one person might be actively harmful for another.

In this episode Jazze introduces a framework for understanding your unique energy blueprint that goes beyond personality types or work preferences. This isn't about minor adjustments to your schedule—it's about fundamentally reimagining how you approach everything from decision-making to marketing.

There's a moment in our conversation where Jazze reveals why some people thrive with spontaneity while others need structure—and it has nothing to do with discipline or mindset. This insight alone might explain years of struggle you've experienced trying to follow systems that were never designed for your energy type.

What could become possible when you stop fighting against your natural rhythms? What opens up when you build a business aligned not only joy first decision-making, but also with how you're designed to create?

This conversation is for the entrepreneur who's done everything "right" but still feels misaligned. It's for anyone who's ever wondered why conventional wisdom about success feels like a path to burnout rather than fulfilment.

In a world that profits from your self-doubt, understanding your design becomes an act of defiance. It's permission to trust the wisdom your body has been trying to share all along.

This isn't just business theory. It's the ULTIMATE joy first way to work.

This is about creating work that doesn't just make freedom, it feels like freedom.

[ Join Founders' Circle to get instant access to the Bonus Content from this episode ]

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

Find your Human Design Energy Type: https://www.jazzejervis.com.au/generate-your-chart

Request her Design Guide: DM her 'Design Guide' on Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Joy First, I sit down with Paige who challenges the frantic, scattered approach that leaves so many entrepreneurs exhausted. We deep dive into her #1 productivity hack (which isn't a hack at all) — and discuss the how's and why's of the freedom it's created for her.

During our conversation, Paige shares the moment she realized most business owners build their dreams on quicksand. She was doing it too—until a radical shift in her approach to both web design and decision-making changed everything.

What struck me most was Paige's counterintuitive approach to social media. While most business gurus push omnipresence across platforms, Paige does things differently. She explains why this conventional wisdom might be the very thing holding you back and shares her alternative: which feels like a quiet little rebellion that gives her permission to breathe.

Since we're both expats, of course we have to cover the topic of living in Europe—a choice that seems impractical on paper but has aligned perfectly for both of us and our her joy first living and working. When it comes to location independence; it's all about the courage and commitment it takes to to design your business around your life (instead of sacrificing your life for your business).

We explore what becomes possible when you stop diluting your energy and instead channel it where it matters most. Paige's approach to "charging what you're worth" isn't what you might expect—and it challenges the core of how many of us price our services.

In a world that profits from your divided attention, this conversation about Paige's way of joy first working is a cheerful little act of defiance. What might become possible in your business when you stop chasing every opportunity and start focusing on what truly brings you joy?

Listen on joyfirstworld.com >

Paige's Website: https://www.paigebrunton.com/

Paige's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaigeBrunton

More about Paige's Free Bootcamp: https://jnicholesmith--paigebrunton.thrivecart.com/checkout/62de7e23c3706/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well Season 1 has come to an end - thanks for joining us! Season 2, 'Joy First ways of Working' will be back March 12th 🧡

Learn more about Founders Circle:

https://go.joyfirstworld.com/JFFC

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Joy vs. Evil
• Finding Winter Joy with Colour and Ayurveda
• 10 Joy Recipes for the New Year

Visit the Previous Podcast:

Joy Colour Impact & Dogs: (on iTunes) & (on spofity)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever stopped to think about how the colours you wear, see, and surround yourself with shape the way you feel—and how others see you? Now... how about how they relate to the colour of your skin?

Join Dr. Lynne Maureen Hurdle, Justin Nai'im Hurdle-Price and I for a deep, thought-provoking conversation about how colour intertwines with identity, race, culture, and self-expression.Together, we unravel some of the unspoken truths about how colour impacts our lives, from the emotions it evokes to the stories it tells about who we are.

But here’s where it gets really interesting—how do we navigate colour when it’s tied to something as complex as race or cultural programming? What does it mean to embrace blackness and whiteness in a world that doesn’t often celebrate diversity? And why do some of us hesitate to wear bold colours - why are we so afraid of standing out?

This is not one of our typical discussions about colour psychology. It’s a raw, honest exploration of why colour matters on a much deeper level, especially for people of colour who are constantly having to navigate predominantly white spaces. In this episode we dig in to unspoken rules, fears, and societal pressures—but also how breaking through these obstacles can lead to more freedom, more joy, and a stronger connection to who we really are.

You’ll hear us dive into how colour can ground us, comfort us, or even hold us back. We challenge ideas like “I don’t see colour” and perhaps most importantly, we celebrate how diversity and individuality enrich our lives. Are you ready to see colour in a whole new way?

Let’s explore together.

Links for Dr.Lynne:

Website

On the Matter of Race

Dealing with Whiteness Episodes (from previous podcast: Joy, Colour, Impact and Dogs)

• Introduction to Dealing with Whiteness
• Unpacking the Myth of Perfectionism
• Why is the Pet Industry so White?
• Truth about the word "Woke"
• Talking to your Kids about Racism

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can it look like to put joy back in our relationship with Food? In my Joy First journey I've definitely embraced comfort food and that food is a REALLY important part of my joy... so I think this conversation is SUPER important. So today we're chatting with Laura Lacey Nutritionist and Health Coach for Women (specializing in Perimenopause & Menopause) Laura believes in wellness, nutrition, science and compassion.

Today Laura and I are diving in to a delicious conversation about 'eating the rainbow'. We're exploring the ways food gives us clues about its goodness (as well as discussing the 'bad foods'). If you're feeling drawn to eating more wholesome, real foods... modifying what you feed your body... improving your gut health, or losing weight... or if you're simply interested in learning more about what we eat - you're going to LOVE this episode.

We're going to go 'colour by colour' through the rainbow of food available to us, what to eat more of, and what to avoid, based on its phytochemicals (the stuff that gives fruit and veg its colour).

Recent related episode with Dr.Janna Scharfenberg (touching-on Ayurvedic nutrition)

https://joyfirstworld.com/blogs/joy-first-podcast/finding-winter-joy-with-colour-ayurveda-episode-7

Learn more about Laura and her practice:

visit www.lauralacey.com

To receive weekly tips from Laura about nutrition and menopause subscribe to the Menopause Musings Newsletter:

https://www.lauralacey.com/newsletter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How about we skip the New Year's Resolutions this year and instead get real about the practical how-to's of finding and prioritizing joy amidst the challenges of entrepreneurship and family life? Today we've got ten road-tested, simple but powerful recipes for making joy easier to find, choose and share each day. If you're ready to shrug off the expectations society, our families and friends put on us in favor of a personal truth that feels more authentic - you're going to love this conversation.

Takeaways:

• Pick one of 10 simple recipes for joy first living and working
• Inspo for a 'word of the year' that leads to the type of change and growth you want most
• How to ditch the one thought pattern that is enemy #1 of growth
• The fastest route to greater intimacy and trust
• My #1 non-negotiable to improve and maintain my mental health.
• Top tips for how to reject societal 'shoulds' that kill joy
• What to measure on the way to success
• The most effective tool we've found in 20 yrs for increasing productivity and consistency
• The contagious way your joy can help everyone around you

Links:

Join our Joy Focus Planning Circle

Join our next Live round of Colour Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.