Inspiring Conversations with Laryssa Wirstiuk of Joy Joya

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laryssa Wirstiuk.

Hi Laryssa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
So much of my story coincides with timing. Throughout college and grad school, my primary goal had been to work in publishing, either magazine or book publishing. I studied writing and communications, and I built my resume with relevant internships. When I completed my graduate degree in 2009, the economy was a mess, and the world of publishing was shifting rapidly. Social media was just taking off, and many newspapers and magazines were folding. The landscape of publishing no longer looked the same.

When I graduated, I also had difficulty finding any kind of job because few companies were actively hiring. I had to scrap together multiple part-time jobs that utilized my skills, including copywriting and marketing jobs. Over time, I developed a strong interest in marketing and was able to expose myself to many facets of it, from social media marketing and search engine optimization to email marketing.

I started my business Joy Joya in 2016 when I moved to Los Angeles from New Jersey. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, I had decided that I’d like to focus my career in marketing for the jewelry industry, and I thought LA would be a great place to do that. I began working as a marketer in-house for a few different jewelry brands but built my business part-time on the side until I was able to transition it into a full-time endeavor.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s really nothing easy about starting, growing, and running a business. I think I’m personally well-suited for the entrepreneurial lifestyle, but I do struggle on a regular basis. First, you have to get comfortable with uncertainty and not knowing what the future holds. You also have to become an excellent decision-maker and constantly work on your self-confidence. No day goes by when I’m not challenged to learn something new or push myself in a new way. It’s extremely difficult but also one of the most rewarding and interesting things I’ve done. Luckily, I haven’t had one overwhelming struggle, but the small struggles have definitely tested my strength and determination.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Joy Joya is a digital marketing agency that works exclusively with the jewelry industry. Through holistic and strategy-driven digital marketing services built on a foundation of solid brand storytelling, Joy Joya supports clients in brand differentiation, creation of content assets, and targeted distribution of content through email and social media marketing.

In addition, I’m the creator and host of the Joy Joya Jewelry Marketing Podcast, which has been regularly releasing episodes since 2018; we’ve published more than 200 episodes so far. The podcast is definitely one of my proudest accomplishments with my business because it has helped me establish myself as a thought leader and has attracted a lot of great clients. It has also pushed me to become a better and more confident speaker.

I also wrote the book on jewelry marketing in 2020. “Jewelry Marketing Joy” is a full-length paperback book that makes jewelry marketing accessible and approachable.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’m extremely focused and driven. Once I set my mind on something, I pursue it relentlessly until I achieve it or decide that it no longer serves me and I’m going in a different direction instead. It’s something that I love about myself. I can count on myself to see things through.

Contact Info:

• Website: joyjoya.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyjoyamarketing/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfCUDwDlD9P9245WtBElOQ/

Image Credits
Matthew Freund