Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Malohn.
Hi Joey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love for creating began when I was a little girl. I was always up to something — climbing my childhood avocado tree (truly the best tree!) to write stories or making constant trips to the local craft store to stock up for my next design project. Creativity has always been in my DNA.
That spark stayed with me and showed up in countless ways over the years — from spending 15+ years planning and coordinating events at my boys’ schools, to being the go-to person for friends and family when it came to decorating, designing, or hosting parties. My husband and I have renovated our entire home together — one DIY project at a time — and I eventually picked up woodworking and building skills to bring my design ideas to life.
Still, I found myself holding back from fully putting my creativity out into the world. Isn’t it funny how the things we’re most passionate about are often the hardest to share? It took walking through profound grief, and the stillness that came during Covid, for me to finally make the decision to turn my passion into something tangible.
In 2021, I launched CJC — first as an Etsy shop, where I combined my love for design and woodworking. It was a creative dream come true. Then one day, a bride who saw my work asked if I would design her wedding. I said yes without hesitation — and dove heart-first into making her dream come to life. That experience lit a spark that changed everything. It reminded me why I create in the first place: to tell stories through design, to bring emotion into spaces, and to give others moments they’ll never forget. There’s nothing quite like bringing joy to others through what also lights you up inside too!!
Today, connecting with my clients (who quickly become like family) and bringing their visions to life in unimaginable ways, are the heartbeat of my business. At its core, my work is about creativity, thoughtfulness, and connection — and giving big to the people who trust me with their most special days.
Everyone has a story. Here’s mine — and maybe a gentle reminder for you, too: the world needs what you’re passionate about.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My business journey has not been easy at all — and honestly, I don’t think it’s supposed to be. Growth rarely happens on the smooth roads. I think discomfort is the best teacher of all if you really lean into the why of it.
There have been plenty of obstacles along the way — learning how to run a business while staying true to my creative vision, navigating self-doubt and insecurities, and figuring out how to balance the roles of artist, planner, designer, and entrepreneur all at once. In the beginning, I struggled with confidence — wondering if people would understand or value my approach, especially when I wasn’t chasing trends or doing things “the usual way.” I’m so very unique & different in this industry which made me sit in self doubt way longer than necessary!
The hardest moments have always been the ones that stretched me the most. From learning to set boundaries with my time, to rebuilding my confidence after setbacks, to remembering that rest is part of the creative process — every challenge has shaped how I show up today.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every obstacle because they’ve all taught me something essential: that purpose and peace come when you stop trying to fit in and start trusting your own rhythm. The journey has had its bumps, but it’s also been beautiful — full of lessons, growth, and moments that remind me why I started in the first place.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that what’s meant to be will find its way — even if it takes time. Every experience, every detour, every “not yet” moment was leading me right here. I truly believe the best things we can offer the world come from a place of honesty and heart.
My hope is that my story encourages someone else to start before they feel ready — to trust that what lights them up has purpose. Because when you create from that place, it has a way of inspiring others to do the same.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Chasing Joy Creations is a boutique wedding & event planning + design business rooted in creativity, craftsmanship, and intention. We are known for crafting weddings that feel deeply personal, artful, and emotionally resonant — not just visually stunning. Our clients value originality, emotion, and a planning experience that feels calm, guided, and creatively fulfilling. They also LOVE all the planning overwhelm we alleviate for them, as we offer a plethora of services from planning, florals, event design, management, all the way to DIY assistance. Our process combines the strategic side of planning with the artistry of design — ensuring every event is cohesive, well-executed, and truly reflective of our couples.
What really sets us apart is how hands-on and creative our process is. We don’t just plan and source — we also design and build in-house. That ability to bring imaginative ideas to life in-house is a signature part of our brand and a key differentiator in this industry. Whether it’s a custom backdrop, an installation, or a piece that doesn’t exist anywhere else, we love crafting those ideas to life. We design with longevity, emotion, and narrative in mind, so that each event feels like an authentic reflection, not a replication.
I’m most proud that my brand has stayed true to its roots. From the very beginning, my goal was to create from intention, not imitation — to build experiences that are beautiful, yes, but also deeply personal and meaningful. It’s helping clients drown out all the noise and get to the heart of what makes them “uniquely them”. Staying boutique by design allows me to give every couple that level of thought, creativity, and care.
At its core, CJC is where heart meets craft— where creativity, design and connection blend seamlessly, and every element has purpose. It’s about crafting something that feels warm, honest, and full of soul.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t about numbers or milestones — it’s about alignment. It’s about knowing that the work I’m doing truly reflects my values: creativity, thoughtfulness, and connection.
If I’m producing designs that feel honest to both myself and the couple, if my clients feel fully loved,supported and seen, and if the end result moves people emotionally — that’s success to me.
I think real success happens when your business starts to feel like an extension of who you are — when you’re not chasing trends or trying to fit into a mold, but instead creating from a place that feels natural, inspired, and true.
Every time a couple tells me their wedding “felt like them,” or that working with me made them feel so loved and brought them so much peace — that’s when I know I’ve done something meaningful. That’s the kind of success I want to build on, both in life and in business.
Stay tuned….CJC is pouring even more love, creativity & services into 2026. I can’t wait to share it all with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chasingjoycreations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingjoycreations/
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Captured by Azalea
Elizabeth Burgi Photography
Tovicand Photography
Manuel Espino Photograpahy
Leo Do
