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

Hi Joy, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Work hard and you will succeed.” While hard work is certainly important, more often than I like, I find myself with not enough hours in the day. Sound familiar, anyone? I’ve learned that the emphasis needs to be shifted from working harder, to working smarter. This means establishing a routine, utilizing productivity tools (my personal favorite is Trello) and setting workday priorities. Working smarter has been pivotal for increasing my productivity and creativity, and is my top priority as I scale my business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For over 10 years I have designed across print, screen and space, working with clients from startups to Fortune 500s. My company, Simply Joy Studio, specializes in activating the full potential of brands. We pride ourselves in our ability to use intentional, intelligent design to connect with specific audiences. Our full capabilities include branding, advertising, print, packaging and web design. Building my business has been quite the adventure, filled with ups, downs and everything in between. The greatest lesson I’ve learned is the power of saying “no.” Often misunderstood and rarely celebrated, the power of “no” has led to being selective in the projects that we take on. This means making room for brands that we’re passionate about, and being able to offer better service to these select clients. I’m proud of the impact that we’ve achieved for our clients, and look forward to continuing to help brands and businesses grow.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
A local food tour would be a must: Nate’s Korner (breakfast burritos to die for), Chan Chan (delicious Korean spot), Jinbei (fresh sushi), Pueblo (experimental tapas) and In-N-Out (because of course). We’d spend a relaxing day at Lido Marina Village for the beautiful shops and ocean view, and enjoy a casual hike and picnic at Quailhill Trailhead.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of my greatest supporters has to be my husband, who encouraged me to quit my 9-to-5 and start up my own design studio. Denny has always offered the advice, support and real talk I’ve needed to make difficult business decisions. His certainty of my success has gotten me to where I am today. I hope to repay him by helping him achieve his not-so-secret dream of becoming a house husband.

Website: https://www.simplyjoystudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyjoystudio/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplyjoystudio/

Image Credits
Vicky Wang

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