We had the good fortune of connecting with Joy Potter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I have always loved being creative and when my daughter expressed interest in art, I celebrated it. Although I couldn’t draw as well as she could, we would spend time making jewelry, ornaments and candles together. After losing my beautiful daughter and only child tragically, my husband suggested that I did what made me happy when we were together. So, I started making candles and other things my daughter and I did together to cope with my grief.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I started out sharing my candles, soaps and body butters with family and friends at events and conferences. I sought out markets and festivals and have since grown through out the Coachella Valley.

After my husband and I suffered such a tremendous loss, what started as creative therapy quickly became a pursuit of being “present” in the now and remembering the simple things for which to be grateful; things often taken for granted. Like saying “I love you” every chance you get or the soft touch of a loved one. More importantly for me, creating became a way for me to still love and celebrate my daughter every day while sharing her with the world.

The very first collection of candles I made mapped the path to my journey in what would seem a divine order. The first candle was named “Luminescence” or light. The next candle was “Verity” or truth, then “Power”, “Grace” and “Prosper”. Revealing to me that no matter what my journey holds, Light shows Truth that gives me the Power and Grace to Prosper.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start out at the local farmers market in Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage or Palm Springs stocking up on some good food, organic fruits and vegetables for the week. Then grab a candle or two at The Robynn Joy Company booth as well as something for dessert at the Bourbon Vanilla Bakery Booth. We’d hit a couple of the spas go hiking, take in a good show at the McCallum Theatre or Palm Springs Cultural Center, and top it off with some shopping on El Paseo in Palm Desert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My husband and I are the youngest oldest of some of Pasadena’s finest entrepreneurs. My husband built successful businesses and along with my parents have been an endless well of wisdom, encouragement, support and inspiration. I also have a host of family and friends that are part my village that have prayed and supported me through out this journey.  I’d also like to give a special shoutout to Christiana Green for giving The Robynn Joy Company the opportunity to grow here in the Coachella Valley.

Website: www.robynnjoy.com

Instagram: @therobynnjoycompany

Facebook: The Robynn Joy Company

Image Credits
Images from Sound Snap Photography, Ashley Loth IG: @soundsnapphoto

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