We’re excited to learn about Janifer Jarrard Wheeler from Austin, Texas. Her primary goal is to help other small business owners, coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs burnout proof their business with JOYFull Productivity.
What does your dream life look like? Are you currently living your dream or still working on it?
My dream life looks like traveling and living around the world as a digital nomad. I want more than the tourist experience. All who wander are not lost!
At present, I am still working on the financial resources to create this lifestyle internationally but for the last 2.5 years, I have been able to test the waters locally.
We have a travel trailer so we camp a lot. I like to spend a week at a local campground and participate in CEO weeks where I just focus on completing projects and planning for the next quarter. I guess you could say I am a Digital Nomad in Training! DMIT!
Tell us about what you do and who you help.
EFF the Bullshit that causes Burnout Behaviors!
Do Less – Be More with Personal Productivity Systems from The JOYFull BadApp!
We work hard whenever and wherever inspiration strikes, but we don’t let work take over our lives. We make JOY a priority for ourselves and our customers so that we never miss a soccer game, dentist appointment, or date night.
At our core, we empower female entrepreneurs to take control of their lives and businesses without sacrificing joy in the process.
We’re here to help you create systems that will support efficiency, financial security, and self-care, so you can DO MORE of what you love, like making epic memories with the peeps that matter most! We foster an environment of integrity, honesty, transparency, and inclusiveness which encourages life-long learning, compassion, empathy, and confidence!
Let’s be real – this isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being bold, badass, and fucking JOYFull while running your life AND business without them running you.
Are you ready to EFF Burnout with JOYFull Productivity & your own BadAssery?
Through The JOYFull BadApp, we teach female solopreneurs, side hustlers, and small business owners to BREAK UP with society’s bullshit and let go of behaviors and beliefs that cause burnout. After all, if it’s not JOYFull, why do it?
What inspired you to start this business?
I burned out from teaching elementary school in 2012 and left the traditional public education classroom. I tried to stop being a teacher but after a year or two, realized that was impossible.
I also burned out as an entrepreneur trying to do ALL THE THINGS. I hired coaches, took courses, read books, followed gurus only to realize I needed to create a business model that worked for ME – that was aligned with my introverted energy, work style, learning styles, etc.
Once I stopped trying to fit into other people’s boxes, I decided other introverted, female entrepreneurs may be burning out as well and for some of the same reasons… hustle culture, toxic busyness, overload and emotional labor. These concepts and the behaviors they cause became even more prevalent during the Pandemic.
I want people to stop feeling like a hostage in their own lives so they know, feel, and use JOY as their primary life and business strategy. I tend to be rebellious so that also inspires me to keep going, keep doing things my way and keep innovating.
You’ve been in business for 4 years. What’s a challenge you’ve faced along your entrepreneurial journey?
Marketing. It’s always marketing and I have yet to over come it! Now that I am launching The JOYFull BadAPP, I am looking into some things I haven’t tried before like PR & ads. I also hired a Social Media Community Manager.
How has being an introvert affected your business?
Advantages: super easy to block time and focus on work projects. Working alone is incredibly productive. I also love to read, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts and that supports my Input strength.
I collect info so that I can share it with others. Like your book nerd best friend who always seems to have a tiny tidbit of info for every situation.
As an introvert, I am also deeply connected with my intuition which streamlines decision making and where to invest my time and energy. I am very aware of my energy levels and how to support them. In new situations, I am more observational and again, collect data so I can decided if this is a good fit – weird, etc.
Disadvantages: I do not like networking or Zoom calls. I can do both, but I would prefer not to.
I sometimes cancel plans or meetings because I am introverting that day. I often say yes in advance but sometimes it’s just not there on the day.
What methods do you use to bring in new clients?
Currently, social media channels: IG, FB, LI. SEO and APP Store Placement. We also participate in JV partnerships.
We are developing a PR strategy and have recently hired a SM Community Manager. I also write books, blogs, speak on virtual and in-person Summits & Conferences. I am starting a podcast and am often a guest on other shows.
Is attending networking events a part of your marketing strategy?
Kinda of. I know it is helpful in expanding contacts and building trust, but some days, I just can’t do all the people.
In addition to being introverted, I am also a highly sensitive person so the physical environment affects me as well. Too loud, too bright, too crowded – doesn’t work for me at all. I get really overwhelmed.
Even though I sometimes come across as extroverted, unless I know a lot of people at the event, I watch and observe before attempting contact with anyone. There have been times when the energy felt weird and I talked to no one.
However, if I go with an intention – like making a friend or meeting a potential collaborator, that helps me focus my energy.
That way, I can pay better attention during introductions and notice if that person is someone I want to meet or follow-up with. I usually only meet 1-3 people at events because like most introverts, I wind up in a 1:1 convo for quite a bit.
How do you define success for yourself and your business?
Freedom. For me, it’s not about accumulating lots and lots of money, but rather enough cash that I can travel and live globally when the mood strikes.
Basically, my business is successful if it provides me freedom to do what the EFF I want as much as possible.
What advice would you give to other introverted women who are just starting their own businesses?
Develop deep self-awareness and self-love. Being your own best friend is the key to my success.
Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Where can our readers find more information about you?
https://linktr.ee/JaniferWheeler
Photo credit: Catie Sas Photography
