Meet Vivián Joiner

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vivián Joiner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vivián below.

Hi Vivián , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My parents taught me that I could do most anything I set my mind to do. My faith confirms it daily. When you look around at all the small things in nature that withstand, thrive many times in spite of its surroundings you should know that we can as well.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My partner, Chef Stephanie Tyson and I own and operate a restaurant in Winston-Salem. For the past 21 years at Sweet Potatoes -a restaurant I have had the privilege of feeding people. Folks often come for food and leave with so much more. We have partnered with others finding ways to encourage students, uplift underserved and give a fresh start to some re-entering from incarceration.

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?
Patients- everything doesn’t happen at once. Live is a compounding process, small steps create a clear path

Drive- willingness to work and work hard for what you envision.

Staying Focused- things aren’t always easy. People, circumstances and apparent greener pastures can easily distract from the plan; the goal. Success comes from building reality from dreams.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Being responsible for others, running a business is stressful. Getting up and leaving the house for anyone can be a challenge sometimes. My advice is BREATHE. When we slow down and the simple act of just breathing can often allow that moment we need to shift from fear or stress or dread to strength, courage and hope.

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