Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we're passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed.

n Episode #153, we're flipping the script: Liz interviews Laryssa to explore the story behind Joy Joya, the evolution of her career, and the lessons she's learned from nearly a decade of helping jewelry brands grow. From leaving the East Coast, to building a marketing agency from the ground up, to navigating burnout, reinvention, and shifting business models — Laryssa shares openly about the realities of entrepreneurship and the creative, strategic, and personal growth that comes with it.

You'll also hear what inspires her outside of jewelry, what success means to her right now, and which marketing philosophies continue to guide her work.

💎 In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Laryssa made an unexpected leap from teaching creative writing to the jewelry industry

• Why moving across the country became the catalyst for starting Joy Joya

• The early days of Joy Joya — including what services she originally offered

• The biggest lessons she's learned in 10 years of running a digital business

• Why adaptability, evolution, and openness to change are essential for business growth

• What makes jewelry marketing uniquely emotional, educational, and story-driven

• The #1 marketing challenge most jewelry brands still struggle with

• How podcasting has transformed Laryssa's confidence, content strategy, and client work

• What success looks like for her now — personally and professionally

• Her favorite things outside business (tennis, cooking, Spanish podcasts, and her dog Charlotte!)

• The jewelry trends she loves right now

• Her go-to podcast for Spanish learners ("No Hay Tos")

🔒 Insider Bonus – What You'll Hear When You Join:

• Laryssa's favorite marketing tools, systems, and platforms (including the ones she relies on daily)

• How she organizes content creation, client projects, and her internal team workflows

• The real emotional challenges of evolving a business — and how to navigate leadership insecurity

• What it takes to shift direction when your business grows or changes

• How her team works behind the scenes using Notion, Asana, Klaviyo, and more

• Honest reflections on niching down, burnout, and redefining long-term goals

• A deeper conversation about creativity, operational growth, and staying aligned

• Questions YOU can answer to reflect on your own business evolution

👉 Love this teaser? Unlock the full insider episode at https://patreon.com/SuccesswithJewelry for instant access and more exclusive content.

About Your Hosts

Liz Kantner helps independent jewelry artists find their voices and thrive in today's marketplace through consulting, digital strategy, and her Stay Gold Collective community. Learn more at lizkantner.com.

Laryssa Wirstiuk is the founder and creative director of Joy Joya, a digital marketing agency for jewelry brands. She's also the author of Jewelry Marketing Joy and the creator of JoyDeck, a platform that makes marketing easier for jewelry designers. Discover more at joyjoya.com.