Talking business with Joy Zarine - Ep17
Focus on the Fun Stuff Podcast: How to Reignite Your Passion for Business with Joy Zarine (episode 17)
Let’s be real—running a business isn’t always fun.
In fact, if we’re being honest, a lot of the time it feels like the opposite. The passion and curiosity that fueled us in the beginning often take a backseat to the daily grind. Instead of innovating, dreaming, and creating, we find ourselves stuck in a cycle of putting out fires and just keeping things ticking over. Sound familiar?
That’s why my conversation with Joy Zarine on Focus on the Fun Stuff was such a breath of fresh air. Joy—bestselling author, customer experience expert, and founder of DesignJoyandPrint.com—has spent over 20 years helping businesses build revenue-driving assets. But more than that, she knows how to ensure work life isn’t just successful, but also exciting.
Breaking Free from “What Works”
One of the biggest takeaways from my chat with Joy was this: just because something is “working” doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it forever. So many of us feel obligated to stay in our lane, afraid to take risks or explore new opportunities because we’re too busy maintaining what we’ve built.
But here’s the kicker: playing it safe can be the very thing that stifles our growth and kills our passion.
Joy shared her own story of branding hospitality businesses for years—until the Covid-19 pandemic forced her to pivot. What could have been a crisis turned into an opportunity for reinvention. Instead of resisting change, she embraced it, and in doing so, rediscovered her excitement and sense of purpose. Her business evolved, and so did her joy for the work she was doing.
Three Steps to Bring the Fun Back to Your Business
Feeling like you’ve lost the spark in your own business? Joy suggests three simple but powerful steps to reignite your passion in 2025:
1. Make One Bold Move Each Week1
Big changes don’t happen overnight, but they do happen one step at a time. Ask yourself: What’s one bold move I can make this week? Then go ahead and do it. It could be testing a new idea, reaching out to a potential collaborator, or stepping outside your comfort zone in a way you’ve been avoiding. Small, consistent action leads to big shifts.
2. Dedicate 20% of Your Time to Curiosity
Carve out at least 20% of your time to dream bigger, explore new ideas, and experiment with what could come next for you and your business. Instead of only focusing on what’s urgent, make room for what’s exciting.
3. Picture Yourself at 90
Fast forward to your 90-year-old self looking back on your life. Are you celebrating a life full of passion, fun, and freedom? Or are you regretting that you never took the leap to try something new? Let that perspective be your guide. If future-you wishes you’d made a change, start today.
Reverse Engineer the Life You Want
Joy’s final piece of advice? Don’t wait for circumstances to force you to evolve—start now. Reverse engineer the life you truly want. Make time for curiosity. Let yourself imagine what your business could look like if you let go of limiting beliefs. Then take small, actionable steps to bring that vision to life.
If you need help figuring out where to start, I’d love to help—drop me a message, and let’s chat. Here’s to rediscovering the fun in 2025!
(Listen to the full episode of Focus on the Fun Stuff with Joy Zarine here)
