STRUCTURE
INTRODUCING THE JOY FIRST FOUNDERS' CIRCLE
Joyfully Focus & Make More Consistent Progress
Joyfully Focus & Make More Consistent Progress
Know what you need to do to grow, but struggle to do it consistently? You're not alone. A recent survey of business owners like you in our audience revealed that marketing is their #1 growth priority, but stop-starting, shiny object syndrome and distraction are zapping their results.
Know what you need to do to grow, but struggle to do it consistently? You're not alone. A recent survey of business owners like you in our audience revealed that marketing is their #1 growth priority, but stop-starting, shiny object syndrome and distraction are zapping their results.
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How do we break this cycle?
How do we break this cycle?
Simple step-by-step strategies to follow, and new, easier ways to prioritize & make solid decisions faster.
GUIDANCE
Seasoned experts to provide grounding, guidance, and help obliterate obstacles before they even show up.
RESOURCES
Why start from scratch for every task? Access all of my best tools, templates and methods.
CONNECTION
No more feeling alone: share the journey with kind, like-minded business owners who get it.
What our Members say...
What our Members say...
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★★★★★
★★★★★
"My sales have doubled year-to-date since last year"
A, New Hampshire
★★★★★
★★★★★
"I surpassed my Quarterly goal and I set it HIGH"
K, California
★★★★★
★★★★★
"Just had my best month ever in my business!"
A, Virginia
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Grow the Joy First Way.
Grow the Joy First Way.
If you're committed to putting happiness over hustle, but find it difficult to be consistent in the habits and practices that allow you to hold that joy first way of living and working... You're gonna love this.
The Founders' Circle and Joy Focus Planner are the anchor to keep you from drifting away in a sea of a million distractions. The community is an oasis of kindred creatives with similar values who either are where you are, or have been there. It's so refreshing.
Built over a decade of testing with entrepreneurs just like you, the coaching, planning and productivity systems, planners, hacks and habits, we use here are the ick-free ones that actually work...
This program has been an absolute game-changer for me!
This program has been an absolute game-changer for me!
As a small business owner working hands-on 5-7 days a week, I often find it hard to stay consistent with my marketing efforts. This program helped me establish consistent habits (something I had always struggled with). I am in the middle of rebranding in the Super Bloom program as well so things are starting to move and align very quickly for me!
What I love most is the ability to replay the coaching calls. With my busy schedule, being able to catch up at my own pace has been crucial. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to take their business to the next level without feeling overwhelmed!
What I love most is the ability to replay the coaching calls. With my busy schedule, being able to catch up at my own pace has been crucial. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to take their business to the next level without feeling overwhelmed!
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Nuria, NY
honeypooch.net
honeypooch.net
What Will Founders' Circle Do for Me?
What Will Founders' Circle Do for Me?
- Help you look & plan further ahead (in life and biz).
- Help you actually DO the Goal-setting (and tracking!)
- Help you make key decisions (instead of putting them off).
- Help you disintegrate overwhelm before it starts.
- Make procrastination a thing of the past
- Help you avoid burnout and guilt by learning how to manage your time more strategically.
- Provide accountability so you sit down and do it.
- Help you goal-set, track, and get more organized.
- Help you learn how to do less while having more (more cash, more time, and especially more joy).
YOUR JOY FIRST GUIDES
Meet your Guides
Meet your Guides
We're driven by a shared passion for empowering individuals to thrive.
We're driven by a shared passion for empowering individuals to thrive.
J.Nichole Smith
J.Nichole Smith
FOUNDER, AUTHOR,
BRAND ARCHITECT
I've spent most of my career owning 2-3 businesses at a time, but these days I'm proud to be focused on being an Author, Founder / Creative Director at my creative agency Joy First, and host of the Joy First podcast. With 20 years experience, and a specialism in Design & Colour Psychology, I've become the experts’ expert in building brands set to win in the Joyconomy (the big economic shift we're stepping into now). Career highlights include several awards including a European Product Design Gold, selling over 30,000 copies of my coffee table book 'Puppyhood' and being featured all over the media, including in Metro, USA Today, Real Simple magazine and the LA Times.
Heather Bradley
Heather Bradley
FOCUS COACH
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
I'm not just a coach, I'm a fixer. I don't just listen, guide breathing techniques, or ask questions: I roll up my sleeves and get in the muck alongside you.
If you've been in the game long enough to know what works, but feeling exhausted from doing it all alone? I see you.
My clients (who btw, are nearly all Neurodiverse) think of me as their business bestie who doesn't fall for the 'I'm fine' response or the 'I've got it all together' mask. Instead, I understand the real weight of what you're carrying and the toll it's taken over time. I'm here to help lighten the load...
More About Me & How I can Help >
If you've been in the game long enough to know what works, but feeling exhausted from doing it all alone? I see you.
My clients (who btw, are nearly all Neurodiverse) think of me as their business bestie who doesn't fall for the 'I'm fine' response or the 'I've got it all together' mask. Instead, I understand the real weight of what you're carrying and the toll it's taken over time. I'm here to help lighten the load...
More About Me & How I can Help >
Setting these goals at the start of the year has really helped me stay specific with my focus!
Setting these goals at the start of the year has really helped me stay specific with my focus!
I love the planning calls! Setting these goals at the start of the year has really helped me stay specific with my focus. Checking-in monthly on the calls has helped me see all the progress I have made and the work I'm putting in. I've finally accomplished so many things this year that I have had on my to do list for ages. The accountability has been awesome to help me do this.
I love the planner too... The year-at-a-glance calendar with dates and ones with space to write out plans. I love the pages that list the months with lines below. I've been using that to write down my sessions/sales for each month 🧡
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Tara, North Carolina
taralynnandco.com
taralynnandco.com
What Makes This Experience Special?
What Makes This Experience Special?
JOY FIRST
JOY FIRST
All of our practical strategies, techniques, planning rituals and even our printed planners are rooted in our joy first philosophy: helping you step out of decision-making based on fear and scarcity, and into a world where you’re choosing and operating from a place of expansiveness, abundance and joy (trust me when I say, in 20 yrs this is one of the most underrated productivity hacks, and I’ve seen work wonders!!) This is one of the big reasons we love operating this as a group experience: connection = joy.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JANUARY
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JANUARY
Our planners don’t have dates, so you can jump in anytime and benefit from this planner, and the support, accountability and connection of our monthly, quarterly or annual live planning and review calls straight away. When you jump in we'll encourage you to set your first 90 day themed 'sprint' and off you go!
FREEDOM TO DO IT YOUR WAY
FREEDOM TO DO IT YOUR WAY
We operate this program with a ‘take what you like, leave the rest’ policy: this is not a course with an end-date, we don’t take attendance, there is no content to consume and no homework to do. In this program there is no ‘getting behind’. This is simply a safe container, a set of well-tested tools, and some powerful coaching to help you find and keep focus on what matters to YOU.
What Makes this Experience Special?
What Makes this Experience Special?
JOY FIRST
JOY FIRST
All of our practical strategies, techniques, planning rituals and even our printed planners are rooted in our joy first philosophy: helping you step out of decision-making based on fear and scarcity, and into a world where you’re choosing and operating from a place of expansiveness, abundance and joy (trust me when I say, in 20 yrs this is one of the most underrated productivity hacks, and I’ve seen work wonders!!) This is one of the big reasons we love operating this as a group experience: connection = joy.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JANUARY
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JANUARY
Our planners don’t have dates, so you can jump in anytime and benefit from this planner, and the support, accountability and connection of our monthly, quarterly or annual live planning and review calls straight away. When you jump in we'll encourage you to set your first 90 day themed 'sprint' and off you go!
FREEDOM TO DO IT YOUR WAY
FREEDOM TO DO IT YOUR WAY
We operate this program with a ‘take what you like, leave the rest’ policy: this is not a course with an end-date, we don’t take attendance, there is no content to consume and no homework to do. In this program there is no ‘getting behind’. This is simply a safe container, a set of well-tested tools, and some powerful coaching to help you find and keep focus on what matters to YOU.
It has helped me meet deadlines and reach goals. Finally!
It has helped me meet deadlines and reach goals. Finally!
The combination of physical planner, planning calls, co-working calls, and a supportive community have helped me to (finally!) stop operating from a place of overwhelm and panic. Instead, I've started actually, you know, *planning.* Operating from a mindset of "Where is the joy?" and "What would be easy?" I have been able to map out the small, interim steps that I need to accomplish each week, month, and quarter. And that has helped me meet deadlines and reach goals. Finally!
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Jennifer, Kentucky
readpurr.com
readpurr.com
Who is it For?
Who is it For?
The Joy First Founders' Circle is for founders who want structure and support to set, track and achieve aspirational goals for their business and for themselves, but struggle to find time to start or stick to planning rituals on their own.
We are a good fit for you if you are a business owner who wants to live and work in a more joy first way: creating more revenue and more free time, while maximizing more marketing opportunities, and have happier relationships at work and at home. There is no room fortoxic hustle culture here.
We are a good fit for you if you are a business owner who wants to live and work in a more joy first way: creating more revenue and more free time, while maximizing more marketing opportunities, and have happier relationships at work and at home. There is no room for
THIS IS PERFECT FOR YOU IF...
THIS IS PERFECT FOR YOU IF...
You've identified that a combo of focus, consistent marketing and connection (not going it alone) are essential for your growth right now.
Getting more consistent clients / sales is a top priority.
Because of team, life lifing, neurodiversity or simple procrastination you struggle with staying consistent with your planning & marketing.
You want access to expert guidance without the high cost of 1:1 coaching and without having to show up for 20 live calls a month.
You could really use a joy first space full of supportive entrepreneurs who get it, free from the noise and negativity of the world right now.
Getting more consistent clients / sales is a top priority.
Because of team, life lifing, neurodiversity or simple procrastination you struggle with staying consistent with your planning & marketing.
You want access to expert guidance without the high cost of 1:1 coaching and without having to show up for 20 live calls a month.
You could really use a joy first space full of supportive entrepreneurs who get it, free from the noise and negativity of the world right now.
More Client Results...
More Client Results...
Why Does How we do it Work Better?
Why Does How we do it Work Better?
HABIT SUPPORT
We hold space for consistency, every week, twice a week. It's not magic, but it sure can feel like it once you show up that 12th or 13th time and suddenly your productivity is on auto-pilot!
REVENUE FOCUS
We help you create, track and reflect on revenue goals daily, monthly, quarterly and bi-annually. What gets measured gets improved. Part of the magic is in the repetition we reinforce.
COMMUNITY
Here community isn't a buzz word, it's a whole vibe. Our people are so awesome, many of them who've met in our spaces travel hundreds of miles to meet up in-person. I'm proud of that.
What's Included?
What's Included?
Coaching
Coaching
Heather, our Joy First Productivity Coach (who is also my badass Director of Operations) leads a delicious 90 min. planning and review session. Each session starts with breathing & grounding and usually includes some questions to reflect on.
group: 12x year
plus optional 1:1
plus optional 1:1
Planner
Planner
Every 6 months you're in the program you'll receive a gorgeous, spiral bound, copper foiled planner to help you track your goals, marketing activities, habits, revenue and key projects. Write-in your own dates, so you can start anytime!
2x year
people
Co-Working
Co-Working
One of the most fun and popular services we've offered for the past several years is twice-weekly co-working, live on zoom, every Monday and Friday (except holidays). Simply pop in, say hi, then it's cameras off for 90 minutes to get a burst of work done.
2x each week
Private Podcast
Private Podcast
When you join Founders' Circle you automatically get access to the Founders' Circle: our private group on Facebook and private members-only podcast. Each week we drop a handful of short episodes (usually 2-20 min. ea.) which are like golden little 'voice notes from Nic'. You'll love em!
2-4, 1x week
Daily Planner
Daily Planner
Get instant access to our 'Joy First Daily Planning Ritual': our signature 'morning routine' worksheet that combines many of the best personal growth habits into one ritual. Take 10 minutes to fill it out each day, and you'll be amazed how much more productive and content you feel in less than a week!
instant access
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Goal Setting
Goal Setting
In the Summer and Winter Nic will walk you through start / end / middle of the year goal-setting and tracking workshops. Use this as a chance to jump in start fresh, tweak your goals mid-year, or deep dive into your intentions, desires, achievements and really celebrate your wins.
2-3x year
Plus...
Plus...
When you choose the "All Access" option you'll be given access to all my best business, marketing and mindset programs I've ever created, absolutely free.
Yup, that's over $12,000 worth of done-for-you templates, video how-to's, workbooks, plug-and-play strategies all organized with simple checklists so you can see very clearly what you need and when (so the shiny object overwhelm isn't a factor here).
Yup, that's over $12,000 worth of done-for-you templates, video how-to's, workbooks, plug-and-play strategies all organized with simple checklists so you can see very clearly what you need and when (so the shiny object overwhelm isn't a factor here).
Including....
Including....
The 12 Month Marketing Makeover
The 12 Month Marketing Makeover
COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP SYSTEM
COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP SYSTEM
Your Blueprint to a Totally Booked-Out Business
Your Blueprint to a Totally Booked-Out Business
Our most popular program ever: Finally step into the game-changing marketing routines, strategies, tactics and transformation your business has been begging you for for years. All centered around a 12 month, 4-phase, month-by-month simple checklists, supported by templates, tutorials, in-depth support Q+A's and weekly co-working. (We last charged $3000 for 12 months access to this and it was a best-seller)...
What's Included in the 12 Month Marketing Makeover?
What's Included in the 12 Month Marketing Makeover?
A complete, structured approach to transform your marketing over 12 months...
A complete, structured approach to transform your marketing over 12 months...
With checklists for each Month and complete courses for each Phase, it's literally a matter of ticking the boxes ✅ one at a time, in order.
Get stuck? There are thousands of resources (including hundreds of Canva templates) included to help you tackle tasks like creating a lead magnet and landing page, writing an email welcome sequence, adding your fb pixel to your website, and creating your first ad and much, MUCH more...
Get stuck? There are thousands of resources (including hundreds of Canva templates) included to help you tackle tasks like creating a lead magnet and landing page, writing an email welcome sequence, adding your fb pixel to your website, and creating your first ad and much, MUCH more...
repeatPHASE 1: CREATE HABITS
PHASE 1: CREATE HABITS
Establish the fundamental marketing routines that create consistency (using Founders' Circle).
PHASE 2: EMAIL FOUNDATIONS
PHASE 2: EMAIL FOUNDATIONS
Build a relationship-based email system that converts (because email is where you should be selling, not social media)
webPHASE 3: WEBSITE OVERHAUL
PHASE 3: WEBSITE OVERHAUL
Transform your online presence to attract ideal clients (this is where conversions happen).
PHASE 4: PAID ADS
PHASE 4: PAID ADS
Amplify your reach with targeted, effective ad campaigns (this is where audience growth happens).
And Also...
And Also...
The Business Academy
The Business Academy
HOW TO ENTREPRENEUR
HOW TO ENTREPRENEUR
Your start-to-finish Joy First Business Building Masters Program
Your start-to-finish Joy First Business Building Masters Program
This program was my 'how to entrepreneur' masterpiece, built around my 5 Laws of Entrepreneurship: Mindset, Money, Marketing, Mechanics and Momentum. This is everything that's worked for me (and hundreds of my clients) over 20 yrs of building 6 and 7-figure businesses while also living a joy first life (yes, we are firmly in the anti-hustle, no burnout club) Last time we offered this it was $5k for a 12 month immersion...
Also Hugely Popular with our Clients...
Also Hugely Popular with our Clients...
Joy First Daily Ritual
Joy First Daily Ritual
If you're ready to put happiness over hustle, but find it difficult to do that day-to-day because life and business throw so many curve balls at you... You're going to love this.
In nearly 20 years of consulting and group programs, this Joy First Daily Planning Ritual is our clients' #1 favourite tool for easy transformation, one day at a time. When you join you get instant access!
More Client Words...
More Client Words...
" I can't tell you how much I love the daily planner, you should sell these on their own! I use it every day, and I've never found another one any better."
- Claire
"Having a community for Accountability has been very useful for me but my big aha moment was working smarter not harder: scheduling time off every single week at a regular time and automating systems."
- Erin
"The co-working is such a great way to focus and have a little interaction before and after getting loads done. Love it.
- Kelly
Ready to put happiness over hustle?
Ready to put happiness over hustle?
Join Us: All Access
Join Us: All Access
Payment Plan
Payment Plan
LOWEST UP-FRONT
LOWEST UP-FRONT
Get 12 months of membership in the All-Access Founders' Circle, pay monthly. Receive a new planner every 6 months.
$99 / mo.
$99 / mo.
6 Months with 1:1 Coaching
6 Months with 1:1 Coaching
MOST TRANSFORMATIONAL
MOST TRANSFORMATIONAL
Get 6 months of membership in the Founders' Circle, one planner and our signature 12 wk. Laser Focus 1:1 Coaching program with Heather.
$2499
$2499
PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE
PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE
Pay-in-Full
Pay-in-Full
SAVE $200
SAVE $200
Get 12 months of membership in the All-Access Founders' Circle and one planner every 6 months.
$999 / yr.
$999 / yr.
FAQs
FAQs
Q: I'm just starting my business. Is this too advanced for me?
Q: I'm just starting my business. Is this too advanced for me?
Not at all! The Founders' Circle is designed to meet you where you are. Many of our members are in the early stages of business, and the structured approach is especially valuable when you're establishing foundations. Equally, many of our members are more advanced in their brand and business, and they also enjoy the coaching, energy, community and accountability the Founders' Circle provides.
Q: How much time will I need to commit each week?
Q: How much time will I need to commit each week?
The minimum commitment is 2-3 hours a month (not a week, a month) but I think you'll find there's work you're either not doing and should be (and the guilt or stress is draining you), or work you are doing alone, that would be better brought to co-working sessions and turned into a fun weekly ritual instead of a slog. Many members use the co-working each Monday to write their newsletter, each Friday to write a blog etc.
Q: I've tried other planning programs before. How is this different?
Q: I've tried other planning programs before. How is this different?
The Founders' Circle structure is a culmination of over 10 years helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses: it's everything you need, and nothing you don't (that's why we have one call a month, not 10). Founders' Circle combines expert guidance, built-in accountability, physical planning tools, all for an unbeatable price. It's the the perfect combination that create the kind of magic that our members tell us has finally helped them break through resistance and distraction to create consistency.
Q: How long will I have access to the Marketing Makeover and other programs?
Q: How long will I have access to the Marketing Makeover and other programs?
When you join The Founders' Circle you can choose to join a monthly payment plan or annual member. You'll have unlimited access to all the resources and calls as long as you're a paying member in good standing. In the all-access level you will get unlimited access to the programs (including the 12 Month Marketing Makeover) as long as you remain a member.
GET TO KNOW HEATHER...
GET TO KNOW HEATHER...
MEET YOUR COACH
MEET YOUR COACH
Heather Bradley
Heather Bradley
YOUR FOCUS COACH
My journey into coaching wasn't cute, it was survival. After years running a boutique land brokerage firm, I found myself successful on paper but unfulfilled in reality. I was in a purpose vacuum: my worked lacked meaning. I knew I was meant to serve others, but I couldn't figure out how.
The turning point came one Thursday during my daily two-hour drive to work, when I turned my head to see my fellow commuters, lined-up like robotic livestock, white-knuckling our way to our steady paycheck. "There has to be more," I remember thinking through hot tears. I knew this was not the path to freedom and I could feel the clock ticking.
This desperation led me to discover personal development work, then to a life coaching certification, and many years and client transformations later, to creating the exact kind of blended 'fixer' support I wished I'd had myself. My purpose finally found me: I live for getting my hands dirty helping entrepreneurs not just find, but actually fulfill their version of freedom.
The turning point came one Thursday during my daily two-hour drive to work, when I turned my head to see my fellow commuters, lined-up like robotic livestock, white-knuckling our way to our steady paycheck. "There has to be more," I remember thinking through hot tears. I knew this was not the path to freedom and I could feel the clock ticking.
This desperation led me to discover personal development work, then to a life coaching certification, and many years and client transformations later, to creating the exact kind of blended 'fixer' support I wished I'd had myself. My purpose finally found me: I live for getting my hands dirty helping entrepreneurs not just find, but actually fulfill their version of freedom.
YOUR FOCUS COACH
MEET YOUR COACH
MEET YOUR COACH
Heather Bradley
Heather Bradley
My journey into coaching wasn't cute, it was survival. After years running a boutique land brokerage firm, I found myself successful on paper but unfulfilled in reality. I was in a purpose vacuum: my worked lacked meaning. I knew I was meant to serve others, but I couldn't figure out how.
The turning point came one Thursday during my daily two-hour drive to work, when I turned my head to see my fellow commuters, lined-up like robotic livestock, white-knuckling our way to our steady paycheck. "There has to be more," I remember thinking through hot tears. I knew this was not the path to freedom and I could feel the clock ticking.
This desperation led me to discover personal development work, then to a life coaching certification, and many years and client transformations later, to creating the exact kind of blended 'fixer' support I wished I'd had myself. My purpose finally found me: I live for getting my hands dirty helping entrepreneurs not just find, but actually fulfill their version of freedom.
The turning point came one Thursday during my daily two-hour drive to work, when I turned my head to see my fellow commuters, lined-up like robotic livestock, white-knuckling our way to our steady paycheck. "There has to be more," I remember thinking through hot tears. I knew this was not the path to freedom and I could feel the clock ticking.
This desperation led me to discover personal development work, then to a life coaching certification, and many years and client transformations later, to creating the exact kind of blended 'fixer' support I wished I'd had myself. My purpose finally found me: I live for getting my hands dirty helping entrepreneurs not just find, but actually fulfill their version of freedom.
I'm Not Just a Coach, I'm a Fixer
I'm Not Just a Coach, I'm a Fixer
I don't just listen, guide breathing techniques, or ask questions: I also roll up my sleeves and get in the muck alongside you. I instantly become your trusted wing-woman, who can handle what needs to be done. If I can't do it myself, with your permission, I'll hand it off to the right person from my extensive network. I specialize in "cleaning up the mess" so you can focus on your big vision. I help provide and maintain clear priorities and sustainable momentum so both of our efforts lead to bigger and bigger wins for you and your business.
Imagine reconnecting with the joy and passion that made you start your business in the first place... Imagine not having to hold all the hard stuff yourself anymore!!
Imagine reconnecting with the joy and passion that made you start your business in the first place... Imagine not having to hold all the hard stuff yourself anymore!!
Working with solo entrepreneurs and small teams globally, I specialize in supporting neurodivergent Founders and chronic over-thinkers who are currently feeling stuck.
Whether you need strategy sessions, WhatsApp support when anxiety hits, or someone to just dive-in and do those lingering admin projects, my approach is simple: I am a judgment-free zone where nothing is too ugly to share.... and I believe there is nothing that can't be solved with the right blend of business system management and nervous system regulation.
Because the goal isn't just to 'fix' what feels broken right now, it's to help you find focus and show up as the badass CEO you actually are.
Whether you need strategy sessions, WhatsApp support when anxiety hits, or someone to just dive-in and do those lingering admin projects, my approach is simple: I am a judgment-free zone where nothing is too ugly to share.... and I believe there is nothing that can't be solved with the right blend of business system management and nervous system regulation.
Because the goal isn't just to 'fix' what feels broken right now, it's to help you find focus and show up as the badass CEO you actually are.
