
Breaking Free from Societal Expectations: Defining Success on Your Own Terms
Since we were kids, we’ve all heard the same script – get good grades, go to college, find a stable job, buy a house, get married, raise children and retire
Joy Nelson Thomas is the Founder and Executive Director of LEAD Girls of North Carolina and CEO of New Journey Management. A Salem College alum and certified life coach, she’s dedicated to empowering girls/women and supporting business growth. Joy serves on several local boards and enjoys writing to inspire others, spark meaningful conversations, and encourage women to lead with purpose and confidence.

Since we were kids, we’ve all heard the same script – get good grades, go to college, find a stable job, buy a house, get married, raise children and retire

I had someone ask me how you lost your brother and grandma within months and still seem to grow a company… I laughed because these moments made me who I

“You don’t have to forget, but you do have to forgive.” How many times have we heard that? It sounds good in theory – like the emotionally mature thing to

I met my match – she’s comfortable saying “no,” she’s unapologetically herself and she says stop saying sorry. Wow! I want to be her. In a world that often demands

Let’s be clear: you’re not just building a brand. You’re building a legacy. A message. A movement. And, as a woman in business, that brand isn’t about what you sell,
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