Autumn/Winter can be tough (for many reasons) so finding ways to bring joy to your business is key. That’s why we’re sharing some ways you can do just that this festive season, with the help of some fellow creative business owners.
Maria, Mindfulness Teacher and Coach
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Joy is really important to me as a business owner because it helps me keep going in a way that feels sustainable. I want to run my business for the long term (not just get by but actually enjoy the journey), so making space for joy in my day-to-day work is a priority. Without it, I know I’d risk burnout, and that’s not something I want for myself or the people I want to support.
Plus, joy spreads! If I want to inspire happier leaders and thriving organizations, which is at the heart of what I do, I need to lead by example. Being a joyful presence is part of that.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Here are a few things that help me during the winter months:
1. Notice and Celebrate Small Wins: At the end of each week, I like to journal and reflect on what went well, even if it’s something small. It helps me feel good about my progress, especially when things feel slower than usual.
2. Stay Connected: Winter can sometimes feel long and dark (I’m based in London). My first instinct is to hide under a blanket, but I’ve learned that staying connected really helps. Whether it’s joining a community, having virtual coffee chats, or simply checking in with loved ones, staying in touch lifts my mood.
3. Embrace Sluggish Self-Care: If you’re feeling sluggish like me, remember it’s not a reason to stop caring for ourselves! I love embracing “sluggish self-care.” Winter is the perfect time to slow down and nurture yourself: stay cosy inside, take online classes, light up some extra scented candles, or allow yourself a little extra sleep. It’s all about listening to our body and giving them what they need.
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
I’ve chosen to take a step back from in-person work for a little while and gifted myself an early flight home to Italy to be with my family. I’m also finding joy in always keeping a cosy blanket and a hot drink close by while I work. It’s a simple but effective way to bring comfort and warmth into my days. (:
Jess, Content Strategist & Coach
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
For me, joy is everything when it comes to running my business. It’s what keeps me authentic and aligned with my values. I’ve built my brand on being no-BS and empowering others to feel confident, and joy helps me show up with that energy every day.
Running a business takes hard work—there’s no denying it. But when I feel joy in what I’m doing, it makes everything more sustainable. It’s the thing that fuels me to keep going, to keep showing up, and to keep creating content that connects. Joy feeds my creativity, too. I love mixing fun with business, whether it’s Ne’Twerking or helping clients fall in love with showing up online, and joy gives me the energy to keep finding new ways to make that happen.
It’s also about connection. My business is built on relationships, and joy is what makes people feel safe and seen when they work with me. It helps me create spaces where they feel supported, not judged, and where they can embrace their own unique vibe.
And honestly, joy is a way for me to bring the best parts of my past into my present. I used to live for the energy of London nightlife, but as my life shifted, so did my priorities. Now, joy lets me blend that same vibrancy and excitement with my love for community and growth—it’s the perfect balance.
For me, success isn’t just about hitting financial milestones. It’s about loving what I do, feeling connected to my purpose, and seeing my clients thrive. Joy is my compass—it keeps me grounded in why I started this journey and ensures that I’m building something that feels truly me.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Fake tan lol. I love the brand Caribe as it’s made for all skin tones.
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
I’m hosting a BIG EOTY party for my community called Ne’Twerking! I love blending fun (like Ne’Twerking) with my professional goals, it’s where I feel most in my element. When I’m joyful, the ideas flow, and I’m able to come up with fresh concepts that not only resonate with my audience but also feel completely aligned with my unique vibe.
Morín, Creative Brand Consultant
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a lens through which we see possibilities bloom. As a brand strategist who leads with hope, I’ve noticed that joy springs from staying deliciously curious about what could be. It’s that spark of excitement when we spot an unexpected connection, that flutter of possibility when we dare to imagine something new.
Joy shows up when we keep our minds open and our hearts free of expectations. It’s not about everything being perfect—it’s about staying receptive to the beauty of what’s unfolding, especially in the context of working with purpose-led businesses. I believe joy is a quiet rebellion against unhealthy cynicism, a sister to hope, and a sign that we’re staying true to our ‘why.’
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
The winter months are my secret reservoir of joy. Here’s what fills my gratitude cup during this cosy season:
Celebrate the quiet—those early morning moments when the world feels hushed and full of possibility.
Keep a “spark journal” and collect little moments of delight: The way sunlight catches frost on leaves, the perfect swirl of steam from a mug of coffee, a client’s excitement when we unveil their brand story.
Create pockets of warmth, both literally and metaphorically: Add plenty of candles and fairy lights to the workspace, but also warm connections. Schedule virtual coffee dates with fellow business owners, send surprise thank-you notes to clients, or simply take a moment to share words of encouragement.
Perhaps most importantly, honour winter’s natural invitation to slow down. Instead of fighting against the shorter days, use them as permission to reflect, let new ideas gently unfold, and shorten the to-do list—because the deepest gratitude comes not from doing more but from being present with what already is and noticing it.
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
Winter is my favourite season. I love the low golden light on bright, crisp days and the sense of everything changing pace, slowing down, and getting ready for rest. There’s a certain quiet to the season that allows for reflection and new ideas to percolate—perfect for dreaming up fresh possibilities for my clients’ brands.
I’m bringing more joy into my business by embracing this natural rhythm: rearranging my workspace to feel more cosy and filling it with candles and soft light.
I prep for the year ahead with lush stationery (any excuse for new notebooks!) and structure my days with more tea/coffee breaks (any excuse for a pastry!).
Lixxy, Sales Strategist
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
If you’re not having fun in your business then it becomes difficult to manage; burnout can creep in, and you lose that spark that got you started in the first place. But when you’re joyful, it shows in everything you do—your ideas, your energy, and your connections with clients.
Plus, joy is contagious! When you’re having a good time, it makes your business more attractive and helps you build real relationships that will take you even further.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Remind yourself of something everyday that you’re grateful for, even when it’s cold and rainy! Embrace cosy comforts like hot drinks & fluffy socks, and enjoy walks when it’s frosty.
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
I’m gifting lots of products as part of advent calendars to spread some joy! And I have Christmas events planned with other businesses.
Dominique, UX & Squarespace Website Designer
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Without joy, building my own business would be the equivalent of building a soulless 9-5 (and I might as well get a boring corporate job if I wanted that!)
Feeling joyful as a business owner goes hand-in-hand with taking care of myself, having fun, and not taking absolutely everything so seriously, especially as a creative. If there’s no joy whatsoever in the work I’m creating or in the business I’m building, why am I bothering?
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
If you struggle with the winter months like I do, connect with the habits and activities that light you up and do them regularly! Whether that’s reading with candles and a hot chocolate under a warm blanket, or getting a jigsaw puzzle for when the weather is miserable. Arranging a zoom call with your buddies if you’re in different cities or having more slow mornings if you’re able to… give yourself some grace and enjoy the slower season wherever you can. Everyday doesn’t need to be a hustle!
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
Having fewer days working and more days to play, rest, and be creative for the fun of it!
Georgia, Creator & Founder
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Life is too short to be living it unhappily, to me that includes my business!
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Winter is not forever, it may feel like it when it’s all dark and gloomy but just remember the sun shining down on your face and the warmth crawling across your skin and it will all be worth it!
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
I’m popping on my feel good playlist, lighting my favourite candle and sticking on my LEDs to give me the ultimate vibe to do my art!
Yvie, Brand Designer & Strategist
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Life is hard, and running a business is even harder. We often make it harder on ourselves for many reasons – some obvious ones and some sneaky, subtle ones that we might not notice for a looong time.
After seeing the positive effects that intentionally adding joy to my personal life had, I made a point to do the same with my business – and every business that I have the pleasure of working with. It’s massively changed how I run the studio, my design process, and my goals for the future.
Why? Because these businesses are ours. We can run them in any way we want, and we can be successful in any way that suits us. Why wouldn’t we choose to do so with joy!? It’s a no-brainer.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Despite being an Autumn Baby and loving this time of year, I do struggle with productivity and motivation when the days are so short, grey, cold and rainy…but that’s exactly why practising gratitude and finding moments to play are essential for me.
There are things ONLY this season can provide.
My Autumn Playlist is full of things like going on an autumn-tree walk; trying all the fun, seasonal treats (hello spiced everything), visiting Christmas markets, spending a weekend snuggled in a big blanket reading…there is SO much happiness to be found!
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
I’m a big believer in big and little joys, so I mix these in my work day-to-day and you’ll find these sprinkled throughout my brand too 👀
In the last weeks before the end of the year, I give myself permission to lean into the softness and slow down. Joy comes from a studio advent calendar, going to in-person biz events, and early finishes (so I can tick off some of my Autumn Playlist).
Martyna, Menstrual Cycle Coach
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Cultivating joy fuels my motivation to keep going and enhances my resilience as a small business owner. In the context of my work, joy represents a state of flow and a regulated nervous system, the yin to the yang of the cycle overwhelm.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Printing and filling in a Year Compass, pen on paper is a radical act of self-care! So is rest, and hugging your friends and family, and appreciating that they are here and well.
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
More cosy times after intense desk times (hello hyper focus!). Re-watching all the 90s Christmas classics, starting from the majorly underrated While You Were Sleeping! (And maybe making some menstrual cycle-related 90s Christmas classics memes?)
Alice, Facilitator for Creative Rest & Mindful Art
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Most of us start our businesses because we couldn’t get enough of something (maybe joy) from our traditional jobs. And we’re aspirational folks.
My business started from a place of wanting more freedom, challenge, expression and fun, so joy isn’t important but it’s essential ❤️🔥
My calculation for remember why joy is important: Biz + More joy = more inspiration + more fun + better ideas + more success
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Winter months can be hard and lonely if you’re a business of one. Take some time to write all the stuff you’re grateful to yourself for in building this empire. Colour them in, make them bright.
Then write all the things you wish you could bring in. Colour them in, make them bright. And pick one that you’re going to work on integrating in 2025: maybe better boundaries, more networking / biz friends, more play.
Under the one you choose, write three steps for future you to achieve this next year.
Looking forward and getting active brings feeling of influence and excitement. So get dreamin’ 😉😙
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
Shorter computer days 🎄 More doodle time 🎄 Permission to rest 🎄 More co-working
Naudia, Transformational Coach
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Joy fuels creativity and connection. When we’re joyful, we’re not just more productive, we’re more present, energised, and able to make decisions from a place of clarity and alignment. It ripples into everything we do, enhancing the experiences of our clients and ourselves.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
Celebrate the Small Wins: We’re often called to slow down over winter so remembering to reflect on the little things that went well at the end of each day can be super powerful to keep your focus on the positive momentum you’re building!
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
I’m enjoying festive tea break and mini rituals of gratitude. Appreciating the work that I do, and the joy it brings me and my clients.
Siobhan, Word Witch
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Joy is important to me as a biz owner because it keeps me motivated and reminds me why I do what I do.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
My only tip is to wrap up warm and get outside everyday. Even if it’s just for 5 mins. Being outside brings me so much joy and even on my busiest of days with back to back calls, I head outside before it gets dark to go for a walk with Strike or to sit in the garden and throw a ball for him. It brings me so much joy listening to the birds, watching the sky change colour, and breathing in deeply.
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
I’ve got twinkly lights behind my desk, cinnamon and citrus candles burning, and a festive playlist for when I’m not writing. Also mince pies…and mulled wine for after work!
Eve, Social Media Support & Graphic Design
Why is joy important to you as a business-owner?
Life can be tough, busy and complicated at times. Finding joy in the simple things lifts my spirits, such as the first cup of tea in the morning, a frosty dog walk or receiving a letter in the post that isn’t a bill!
As a business owner, it’s up to me to find these types of joy in my work and celebrate them. And with my clients, it’s important to find moments of joy for them too!
For 2025, I definitely want to bring more joy into my business.
Any happiness or gratitude tips for the winter months?
It’s very easy to launch yourself into the “new year, new me” vibe in January, and I definitely love a lot of the ideas and ‘word of the year’ tasks that come with this. However don’t put too much pressure on yourself which could leave you feeling flat or defeated by the end of it. Celebrating a new year is great, but remind yourself you have 12 months of this new year…you can go gently.
My plan for the winter months is to arrange to meet up with friends – maybe once a week – giving me something to look forward to. January especially is a LONG month and having future moments of joy to focus on really helps me get through it.
How are you adding joy to your business this festive season?
It’s been a really hard couple of months for me personally, so I want December to be a joyful, peaceful and gentle month. Less working until 2am, and more sitting by the fire!
I love Christmas, and adding moments of festive joy to my work and downtime is important to me. I’ve got my Christmas earrings lined up to wear, I’ll be popping my bright red Christmas jumper on at every opportunity, the Christmas playlists are saved in Spotify to listen to whilst working and I’ve got a stack of Christmas themed books to read in my breaks.
Finally, I am going to share pictures of my Christmas tree ornaments on my Instagram grid to create a festive feeling amongst my other posts.
Check back each day from 12th December to see who we’ve been chatting to about what joy means to them during the holidays. And if you have any of your own tips about how business-owners can embrace ease and joy this time of year, drop me a message on Insta or Threads I’d love to know 🙂