Meet Paula Joy

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paula Joy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Paula, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
A. My life has been molded by a body of moral principles I hold myself accountable to and that’s what guides me. “Ethic” boils down to how you treat people. Whether “people” is your employer or yourself, and if it’s a personal relationships or “work”. You do your best and with perseverance. You can’t have a good work ethic without empathy.
My Mother always told me to do what’s right, because it’s right and do it the right way. My Mom was a very gentle woman and I loved her dearly. She taught me to pray and love God and Love people. She also taught me that God loves me, no matter what. She taught me how to treat people. She would say “… You want people to leave you [your presence] feeling better about themselves, their situation or outlook. Leave them with hope and feeling loved.” She would tell me that my smile was special and could change a person’s life for the better just by giving a word and a smile.

The very first person in my life that I looked to with amazement and awe was my brother. He is so creative and seems to naturally execute his vision with ease. He has tremendous Work Ethic. Now, rewind to a time I was about 3, my brother was 7. He was coloring a map of the United States, each state a different color. First of all, the colors he chose were so beautiful and different. I was amazed as I watched him carefully wave his crayon over the paper and suddenly beautiful patterns appeared with perfect outline. This was amazing to me because I had been attempting this feat and could never manage to stay in the lines. It felt so impossible to me. I began to cry as I told him how beautiful his paper was. He asked why. I told him because I could not stay in the lines like him. He gave me a crayon and a hug and told me I could do anything I put my mind to. He told me to try, that I would get the hang of it and not give up, that’s perseverance.

The next major influence is my Dad who echoed my brother’s encouragement. No matter what new idea I had, my dad was all in. When I wanted to make greeting cards (age 12), he brought home paper, and different colored paints and pencils, new paper I had never before seen or used. A stapler and glue and other embellishments followed. As my interests grew, he purchased equipment like cameras and a computer, he invests his time in me sharing wisdom and telling me to “Go For It!” … whatever “it” is. He goes on production gigs, photoshoots and events to help me with whatever I need from carrying thing, holding a reflector, and being the voice calling my name and hyping a crowd. I have learned so much from my dad how to treat people and ways to care for them because I watch him do it, every day.

These are personal examples, let me tell you about a few professional influencers in my life.

I am a creative and with that comes many interests and dreams. On of which for me was the world of television. A man named David and his wife Ana gave me my first big break in that arena. And with full confidence in my ability to run a camera and edit a 28 1/2 minute program. PS – I never did either of these before and had no idea how. But David and Ana saw something in me that I did not see in myself. They put a camera in my hand and said “…this button records and this slider zooms in and out. Ok, now go shoot” and they mentored me through it all and I never felt alone. I learned the art of story from them and again work ethic, preservice and empathy.

Surprise, something you may or may not know about me — I was a Mary Kary Girl! I did not get the pink Cadillac. But what I did get from them is the actual steps to succeeding: STEP 1: Start STEP 2: Don’t Stop . These two sure fire ways to success both require work ethic, empathy and perseverance.

Last but not least, at a graphic design company, I was having clients blow me off when I called. My boss asked me “Did they tell you ‘No”?”. The answer was no. She said, “Then make them tell you ‘No’, give them a week and follow up again until they say ‘No'”. And that was a great piece of advice. You don’t kno a person’s circumstance so if you have a product you know is quality and the client could benefit, like a book you have written or literally anything you believe in, then keep going, keep following up, -“Make them tell you ‘No'”.

So my work ethic, summed up would be: Start, don’t stop, do your best with empathy and care, and persevere through your goals, tasks and deadlines.

(words © Paula Joy 2024)

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a creative and an entrepreneur so, I have many irons in the fire. I am excited for this new year. Coming along side my publishing company (www.SnyderPress.com) is a fantastic print company Citrus Cards & Signs (www.citruscardsandsigns.com). I am excited about the print company because I am able to offer a significant savings for small businesses on their business cards, yard signs, banners and so much more. I am excited about my publishing company Snyder Press, LLC because through it I am putting out stories I think are life changing and I am launching author’s into their dreams! I have also been asked to speak at events and explain the publishing process. Bottom line, I really like helping people and that’s fast becoming the headline for this year already. Learn more about me and my passions online PaulaJoys.com

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, hands-down next to empathy, the most important quality a person can have is to be teachable. Always be a student and ready to learn. If you look for knowledge you will find it, and if you look for excuses you’ll find those too. I pray look for knowledge. Find a mentor and then stay by their side and take a ton of notes. The next thing is to learn patience. Patience with yourself while you are learning, trust the process. And patience with others who do not understand your vision. Stay kind, you will win them over one day if you don’t give up.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me is, they let me fail. They let me make my own choices. Choices they knew from wisdom would not work out the way I thought, and when I failed and when I fell flat on my face, they did not say “I told you so”, instead they said “Come on home”, or “How about a cup of coffee…”. What this taught me was resilience. That the world would not end if I failed. And I could make a new choice and begin again in a new direction.

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Image Credits
all images graphic design and logos (C) Paula Joy

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