In this powerful episode of The Joy Work Show, Diane is joined by workplace culture strategist and founder of Culture Kick, Becky Ray. Together, they unpack what it really takes to create a thriving, joyful business from the inside out.
From her engineering background to launching a business during COVID, Becky shares her honest journey into entrepreneurship and why company culture is the secret sauce behind lasting success.
They dive deep into leadership challenges, the importance of psychological safety, and how to avoid the burnout-driven hustle that so many founders fall into. Becky introduces her Culture Cake framework — a practical (and deliciously named!) model for building intentional, empowering environments where both people and profits grow.
Whether you’re a solopreneur building a dream team, or a leader rethinking your company’s foundation, this episode offers actionable insights on team dynamics, effective communication, and the underestimated power of joy in the workplace.
Connect with Becky:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/culture_kick_/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-ray-culturekick
https://www.linkedin.com/company/culture-kick-ltd
Website https://www.culturekick.co.uk
Join The Joy Work Members Club Waitlist Here https://www.taylorparkerservicesltd.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dianetaylorparker
https://www.instagram.com/thejoyworkclub
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Becky Ray and Culture Kick
05:55 Becky's Journey: From Engineering to Business
08:55 The Birth of Culture Kick
11:48 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship
14:50 The Importance of Saying No
17:49 Understanding Workplace Culture
20:36 The Role of Leadership in Culture
23:56 Creating a Positive Work Environment
26:43 Fundamentals of a Strong Company Culture
29:55 The Culture Cake Framework
32:46 Frustrations into Focus: Addressing Workplace Issues
37:24 Empowering a Speak-Up Culture
38:54 Learning from Failure
41:02 Everyday Learning and Reflection
43:43 The Importance of Culture in Business
46:01 Investing in Internal Culture
47:04 Finding Joy in Authenticity
52:59 Influential Mentors and Books
58:57 Breaking Free from the 'Stuck' Mentality
01:04:31 Creating a Joyful Legacy
01:06:05 The Heartbeat of Business Culture
01:09:02 Intentional Culture Building
Sound Bites
"You can't do your best work safe."
"What is frustrating you today?"
"You can do hard things."
Takeaways
Most businesses fail in the first five years.
Culture is happening whether you design it or not.
You can't do your best work unsafe.
The fish rots from the head down.
We need to make it easy for people to get stuff done.
What is frustrating you today?
You can do hard things.
Moaning without action is a joy killer.
You can have a really good time and be successful.
Let's have a good time at work because it is possible.