What if the key to building a successful business wasn’t hustle but joy?
In this episode, I sit down with Hannah McKitrick, founder of Dolce Vita Experiences, to talk about the power of living and leading from joy and how that energy can completely transform your business.
After leaving the corporate world at 23 to attend culinary school in southern Italy, Hannah discovered something that would shape her entire path forward: the Italian philosophy of dolce vita — the sweet life.
A lifestyle rooted in savoring, celebration, and slowing down enough to actually enjoy the life you’re building.
In this conversation, we explore how that philosophy translates into entrepreneurship and why forcing strategy often blocks the very success you’re trying to create.
Inside this episode we talk about:
How Hannah turned her love of Italy, travel, and retreats into a thriving business
The difference between operating from desire vs. “should” energy
Why authentic joy is magnetic in marketing and sales
The cultural contrast between hustle culture and the Italian dolce vita lifestyle
How intuition often reveals the path of least resistance in business
Why stepping away from constant doing can accelerate clarity and growth
If you’ve been feeling stuck, forcing strategies that don’t feel aligned, or craving more joy in your work this episode is your reminder that success doesn’t have to feel hard.
Sometimes the most powerful strategy is simply allowing yourself to follow what feels alive.
Learn more about Hannah’s retreats and experiences → Dolce Vita Experiences
Ready to go all in on your business?
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Have a takeaway, breakthrough, or aha moment from today’s episode? 📲 DM me on Instagram (@theshelbystclair) I’d love to hear from you!