Meet Joyce Souza | Digital Marketing Agency Owner

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

Hi Joyce, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Throughout my career, I worked in traditional 9-5 marketing roles and never considered starting my own business. Primarily, I underestimated my abilities. However, when I lost my job during the pandemic, I decided to explore entrepreneurship, an unfamiliar path for me.

During this transition, I identified a gap in the market. Many Brazilian entrepreneurs (as a native of Brazil myself) in the U.S. had businesses but lacked the knowledge, time, or comfort to utilize digital marketing or social media effectively, especially in English. I saw an opportunity to combine my passion for digital marketing, my years of experience, and my desire to serve my community abroad.

What should our readers know about your business?
Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.

Joy-us Agency is more than just a digital marketing agency—it’s a bridge for entrepreneurs to connect with their dreams. As someone who left Brazil with just a suitcase and a vision, I understand the struggle, uncertainty, and determination it takes to build something from the ground up. That’s what sets my business apart. I don’t just help clients market their businesses—I help them tell their stories, the way I’m telling mine. I’m proud of the deep, emotional connection I build with my clients, many of whom are immigrants, like me, facing unique challenges in a new country. Watching them grow and knowing I played a part in that journey is what excites me the most.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

Nothing about this journey was easy, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. I came to the U.S. alone, chasing an opportunity to improve my English and take marketing classes. It was terrifying at times—I didn’t know the language, I didn’t have a network, and I was far from everything familiar. But I pushed through. The same grit that helped me build my life here is what drives me to succeed in business. There were days when I doubted myself, but I overcame every challenge by remembering why I started—to help people like me, who have a dream but just need the right tools to bring it to life.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the power of vulnerability. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to put up walls and pretend everything is fine and here I say: My business is not the most successful yet, I still struggle sometimes to get new clients, to find help, etc… But I’ve found that being open about my struggles, my fears, and my journey has allowed me to connect with clients in a meaningful way. I’ve also learned that persistence is key. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow, sometimes painful process, but every small step forward counts. And most importantly, I’ve learned that helping others succeed is the greatest reward of all.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I want the world to know that Joy-us Agency isn’t just about digital marketing—it’s about empowerment. I came to this country with a dream, not knowing where it would lead. Now, I get to help other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. My story is one of resilience, passion, and community. If there’s one message I hope to share, it’s that no matter how far you’ve come, or how many obstacles you face, there’s always a way forward. I’m living proof of that, and through Joyus Agency, I hope to inspire others to take their leap of faith, too.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
After a refreshing morning walk along the beach, as a proud Brazilian, I always love to share a bit of my culture. I would recommend a stroll around The Grove, and for lunch, I’d take them to Pampas Grill at the Farmers Market, an authentic Brazilian restaurant. To top it off, we’d enjoy a delicious homemade ice cream dessert from Bennett’s.
I would take them for a self-care treatment at Aioca for a brazilian facial or massage – A perfect way to end the experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In 2015, I arrived in the U.S. from Brazil with just a suitcase and a dream of improving my English as part of a cultural exchange. Looking back, I think, ‘Wow, what an adventure!’ My biggest shoutout goes to myself for not giving up, even when I struggled to communicate in English. I still decided to take marketing classes at UCLA (yes, UCLA), and for having the courage to navigate life in a foreign country in a new language. Now, I get to do what I love—helping other entrepreneurs thrive.

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my family in Brazil, my clients and former clients who have trusted my work, and the host family who welcomed me as an au pair when I first arrived in the U.S. You all deserve a special shoutout. Thank you! ❤️

Website: https://joyusagency.com/en/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyusagency

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyusagency