Hiyeee!!! Yes, I am truly THAT excited!
I figured this was a perfect way to introduce myself, and to blog news and updates in the future!
I am Meghan Walsh, owner of Just Joy Artistry. It has been quite the journey to get here, but I couldn't be more excited!
If you would have told me in highschool that my journey would lead me here, I would have laughed in your face! I had such a skewed perception of success, and was strictly career driven. I went to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. This eventually led me to an internship at Disney World, followed by a lucrative career as a Restaurant Manager. Hospitality had always been my passion, but the lifestyle would make anyone burn out eventually.
I didn't make the tough decision to leave the industry, until I had to undergo a spinal surgery. Now what? If I was going to make a career change, it had to be a lifestyle change. At this point, I promised myself that my career would not define me, I deserved a life outside of work. I ended up getting my cosmetology license, and was thrilled to be able to use my creative mind! Although I still do hair, I needed to have another option for backup. Being that I had a second, and more serious, spinal surgery during the course of the pandemic, I knew it was time for yet another change.
I am not sure what happened during the pandemic, but I personally gained an entirely new outlook on life. Life is too short, and too beautiful, to live with anything other than JOY! I decided that I wanted to work for myself, making art that I love, and experience all that life has to offer.
But how did the name JUST JOY come about?
I was raised by my parents, alongside my grandparents. My Nana & Poppop were my entire world. They have both passed, but I know they are guiding me on this journey of healing, enlightenment, and success.
I toyed around with different names for my business, and finally decided on incorporating "Joy", as it was my Nana's name. But "joy what?"...fast forward a couple months and I am outside with my lifelong best friend, doing a meditation. As I closed my eyes, I repeatedly saw the word "joy" being written, over and over.
OK GREAT. but joy what?!...The little voice in my head says "just...joy".
I thought to myself, I can't name a business just "joy", that doesn't make sense. "just...joy" "just. joy"... JUST JOY, wait that kinda has a nice ring to it?
As I start to vocalize my idea, I hear a bird chirp. I look up at the tree, and there is not one, but TWO cardinals, chirping away. One male and one female cardinal representing my nana & poppop.
It was at that exact moment that Just Joy Artistry was born!