Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Ubani.
Joy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I think I was in 5th grade when I made up my mind to become a psychologist. After reading ‘A Child Called It’ by Dave Pelzer, I resolved to provide therapy for children who had been neglected; to rebuild self-confidence in those who had been abandoned. Every decision I made from that point was related to this goal. Nothing could deter me, not even getting rejected from several graduate psychology programs (and I was rejected from several, for two years in a row! Yet, we move!).
Fast forward to 2014, when tired of the U.S. system, I randomly applied to attend graduate school in London. I got in!! My acceptance felt so surreal and unexpected, yet I was confident that God had opened that door and ordered my steps for a specific reason. I spent the next two years exploring my talents beyond my master’s program. I hosted events purposed to equip women to make life-altering connections and learn to unleash the grit beneath her beauty; I began working with and writing for lifestyle and fashion brands, opening a door for my newfound interest in digital marketing. I solo-traveled and cultivated transformative relationships with friends and in small towns.
I graduated with honors (praise God!) and moved back home to LA in 2016. But this was just a physical change — my heart was still in London. I held down my job as a high school counselor in LA while I continued to travel abroad to explore my favorite cities in Spain, France, and Italy; create marketing solutions for brands; and host masterclasses over dinner for women who wanted to pivot and thrive in every dimension of their life. I juggled all of these, well…full-time jobs for two years until I prayed then decided it was time for me to pivot. I left my high school counseling role and made the decision to dive into building a marketing agency and focus on Beneath Your Beauty/Pivot & Thrive full time.
It’s a constant learning curve, but my ever-evolving journey is teaching me that life requires us to be open to constantly pivoting and thriving – and that pivot might look different for each of us. Because of the encouragement from my family and close friends, I’m inspired daily to courageously create the life of my dreams, and want to supports others who want to do the same.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
When I started my brands, I was adamant about women knowing that they can live boldly, without limitations. It was my mission to create a platform where women can come together and gain insight from one other that will inspire them to live outwardly, and unequivocally express their personality and style. As the needs of our community evolve, so does the brand. We’ve grown from a platform that inspired real beauty and confidence, to one that encourages co-learning in entrepreneurship, professional careers, and personal development. We want to see women and men living their God-given purpose and doing so confidently.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I think the role of an artist is constantly evolving. With art accessible through more mediums including digital spaces, an artist’s role remains to impact and bring awareness to other matters so that we’re more equipped to relate with and understand each other.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
We love the fact that our family is growing, and more women and men who want to thrive are joining us. You can join the ever-growing community on Instagram, where I am personally most active! (@JoyUbani_).
On a more personal level, join us during our intimate dinner events here in LA once every quarter (@PivotandThrive or @BeneathYourBeauty for information).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joyubani.com
- Email: hello@joyubani.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/joyubani_
- Other: instagram.com/pivotandthrive, instagram.com/beneathyourbeauty
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Taken by Joy Ubani, Group Photo of Pivot & Thrive LA Dinner: Kaine Helsungkha
Credit for event images:
@anumediaproductions @kitography @ot.okorodudu
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
