Listen to your heart. Your head may rationalize, but your heart will know when you’re out of alignment.
– LeAnn Lyon
Launching or restarting a business is rarely a straight path; it’s often full of pivots, challenges, and surprising lessons that shape not just careers, but entire lives. LeAnn Lyon, Chief Joy Officer of Joyminder, knows this firsthand. Through personal setbacks, health challenges, and rebuilding from unexpected loss, she has transformed her journey into a mission to help others rediscover their purpose and create businesses rooted in joy. Her work blends faith, resilience, and practical strategy, empowering professionals who feel stuck to reset their course and design a life they truly enjoy.
In this conversation with Stacey Chillemi, LeAnn opens up about vulnerable moments that shaped her direction, the systems she’s built to guide entrepreneurs, and why she believes joy is essential, not optional, when it comes to meaningful work. She shares wisdom from her own experiences, insights from her summit and podcast, and powerful encouragement for those ready to embrace change. This interview is not only inspiring but also filled with actionable guidance for anyone looking to start, restart, or reimagine their entrepreneurial journey.
Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
I’m the Chief Joy Officer of Joyminder. Joyminder is built on the belief that joy, not just surface-level happiness, is the center of how we should live and work. I serve professionals who once felt called to teaching, nursing, or other fields but realized later in life that those paths no longer filled their hearts. I was a teacher for five years, and that experience deeply shaped my mission to help others discover what they’re truly called to do. For those who feel entrepreneurship is part of that calling, I help them find a path forward rooted in joy and purpose.
What’s the core idea behind Joyminder, and why “Joy” first?
Joyminder is your reminder that joy is essential, not optional. Joy differs from happiness because it’s rooted in a deeper, lasting sense of fulfillment. I’ve met countless professionals who are successful on paper but exhausted in spirit. Joyminder is about reconnecting to that inner spark and building businesses people actually enjoy, not just businesses that pay the bills. It’s about helping them remember that life is too short to settle for less.
You’ve shared vulnerably about breaking bones and losing community. What happened, and how did it change you?
Last year on my birthday, I broke a rib on a boat and didn’t even know it until later. Just days after, I broke my foot on the same boat. Two injuries in one week felt like a divine wake-up call. With those injuries, I couldn’t walk, sleep well, or go to the gym, so I had to rethink my health. I hired a coach, lost almost 30 pounds in two months, and realized I had to prune relationships and commitments that weren’t serving me. It taught me to listen closely to what God was asking of me and to simplify my life, even with my business and website.
What did a true “lowest moment” teach you about starting over?
In 2019, I lost a thriving business in just six weeks… sudden and devastating. Driving away that day, a song came on the radio urging me to “get up up again,” and I clung to it. The very next morning, an old website I had owned years before—Joyminder.com—appeared in my inbox as if to say, “Start again.” That moment of loss became the foundation for my new mission. It taught me that endings can be invitations to realign with your calling.
How does your faith shape your leadership, even if your business isn’t faith-forward?
My Christian faith is woven into everything I do, even if it isn’t the billboard. John C. Maxwell has been a huge influence on me; his leadership principles often stem directly from scripture. I lead with the mindset that excellence and service point people toward the source of strength, even without saying it outright. For me, my strength and guidance come from the Lord, and my hope is that people see that light reflected in how I show up.
What practices keep you grounded through grief, burnout, or uncertainty?
Journaling has been my most faithful practice; I’ve filled dozens of journals over the years. Sometimes, what I write feels like the Holy Spirit guiding me on the page. I encourage people to find what resonates for them: for some, it’s coaching; for others, it’s nutrition, prayer, or simply conversation. Personally, journaling clears my head, renews my spirit, and often brings clarity I didn’t even know I needed.
For burned-out professionals, what 30-day reset would you suggest?
Start with reflection: prayer, journaling, or deep thinking. In my SAILING System, the first two steps are to set your course and anchor your readiness. That means asking yourself: What brings me joy? Who do I feel called to serve? What would I do all day if money didn’t matter? Those questions narrow the noise and help people take small, intentional steps toward a new, joy-centered direction.
Why did you create the SAILING System?
My husband and I are empty-nesters, planning to take the Great Loop—a 7,000-mile boat journey down the Mississippi, around Florida, up the East Coast, and through the Great Lakes. Boating has been central to our lifestyle for decades, naturally becoming a metaphor for entrepreneurship. Like sailing, business requires setting a course, adjusting when the winds change, and anchoring when needed. The SAILING System reflects that journey—structured, adventurous, and always open to shifts.
What’s your personal resilience stack?
My resilience starts with scripture. I’ve been in the Bible app over 1,000 consecutive days, and I don’t get out of bed before reading the verse of the day. It sets my morning in alignment with faith and peace. I often revisit that verse at night as a prayer before sleep. That rhythm, beginning and ending with God’s word, keeps me steady through challenges.
What does a 90-day start/restart look like for a founder?
The first phase is inward: know yourself, values, and purpose. Then comes Ignite commitment, choosing to act rather than just think. After that, Launch into the unknown by sharing your vision with trusted circles, then wider ones. Be prepared, friends and family may resist change. That’s why finding a tribe, coaches, or strategists who truly see your vision is essential. Every blueprint is unique, and my role is to help tailor it to the person, not fit them into a mold.
How do you help entrepreneurs avoid shiny-object syndrome?
Technology and AI can tempt us with quick wins and endless new tools. But speed without discernment causes overwhelm. I built Joyminder to curate trusted tools and known coaches, the ones I personally use and believe in. It’s not about trying everything; it’s about focusing on tools that build stability and mentors who truly understand you.
What top mistakes do new founders make?
Optimism without realism is a big one; I know this because positivity is one of my strengths. Many underestimate the challenges and then feel blindsided. Another mistake is resisting course corrections, expecting a straight path. But like sailing, business requires adjustments. The willingness to pivot separates those who thrive from those who stall.
Can you share a story that reflects joy in entrepreneurship, even when life is messy?
One of my summit speakers embodies this beautifully—she lives out of her car, with every belonging pared down to the essentials. She’s chosen mobility and freedom so she can show up for the people who matter most. It’s unconventional, but it works for her. It’s proof that joy isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about designing a business and life that aligns with your values.
What resonates most on your podcast, Beyond the Business Plan?
The realness. My guests talk openly about their struggles, not just their wins. We dive into AI, timelines, and lessons learned—the good and the hard. I may host the show to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, but I grow from it too. The beauty is in combining hope with honest reality, which makes the victories even more meaningful.
How can founders rebuild community when they feel isolated?
Trusted masterminds and communities are vital. I chair a group called Trustegrity, where established businesses meet monthly for deep problem-solving and support. I also host Leaders League on Monday mornings via Zoom, open to anyone who wants to share, learn, and connect. When people feel alone, plugging into safe, trusted circles reignites accountability and hope.
Do age and background offer advantages in entrepreneurship?
Absolutely. Life experience brings wisdom, resilience, and perspective that young professionals simply can’t replicate. Teachers, for example, are natural entrepreneurs because they’re already selling ideas daily. And in today’s world, trades and hands-on work are more future-proof than many careers threatened by automation. Late bloomers often have the strongest foundations for success.
What belief about business would you like people to let go of?
Let go of anything that compromises integrity. Immoral or exploitative businesses might profit temporarily, but they cost the soul. I’ve seen too much loss caused by choices like that, and forgiveness is the only path through. I encourage entrepreneurs to build on integrity because eternal impact matters more than short-term gain.
If there’s one takeaway you’d like readers to leave with, what would it be?
Listen to your heart. Your head may rationalize, but your heart knows when you’re out of alignment. Don’t let hardships define you; let them refine you. Your gifts, passions, and values have been part of you since the beginning. Pay attention to them, and let them guide you into the work you were meant for.
What offerings do you currently provide for aspiring or restarting founders?
My Start, Restart Your Business Summit runs three times a year—September, January, and May—each with a focus tailored to the season. I also host the Beyond the Business Plan podcast, where I feature summit speakers and coaches. On Joyminder.com, you can download the SAILING System and book time with me to identify tools, strategies, or business ideas. Whether you’re crystal clear or completely stuck, I meet you where you are.
Where’s the best place for people to find you online?
My Website is the simplest way. From there, you can connect to summits, podcasts, and resources. Be sure to follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook. If you want to join our business summit group, CLICK HERE !
This has been an amazing conversation, LeAnn. You’ve shared so many powerful lessons about resilience, calling, and building joy-filled businesses.
Thank you, Stacey. It’s truly an honor to be here and to share this space.
and strategy to all of her work.