We’re looking forward to introducing you to Joylyn Howell. Check out our conversation below.
Joylyn, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
In general, I am doing my best to create, embrace, and enjoy these moments as often as possible.
The biggest, most recent, and most unexpected moment of pride and laughter has been being recognized as the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year for 2025!
When I was first approached and pulled aside by our Chamber President, I was filled with irrational fear, as usual. At first, I was in complete shock, then I had to laugh at myself for being scared, then back to shock, followed by so many feelings, thoughts, and emotions.
Since I was only competing with myself and had no idea that this level of public recognition was even a possibility, I am simultaneously in shock, extremely proud of how much has been overcome and accomplished to get to this place, doing my best to be present in the moment, and fully aware that this is just the beginning, the bar has been raised, and there’s so much more to accomplish, individually and collectively.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! (Again)
My name is Joylyn and I am the Owner/Inspirer at “The Funk!” Creative Community Center, home of “Belly Dance by Shaula”, and “J Victoria Exposures.”
You may have read some of my previous articles, we may have connected somewhere along our journeys and have yet to realize where that journey will take us, or this may be your first time we are connecting.
Either way, I’m excited to share more about The Funk!, The Funk! V.I.B.E.S., and creating unity through diversity by educating, empowering, and growing creative communities!
The Funk! has been a living, breathing, growing, and changing entity since before it officially had a name. The Funk! is an extension of who I am, what I create, and all of the unique individuals who work together to shine their lights in the pockets of darkness.
From California, to Colorado, to North Carolina, there are thousands of unique, talented, caring, and compassionate individuals who have contributed to what The Funk! is today!
From direct collaborations to virtual collaborations to supporting each other’s efforts, The Funk! Creative Community Center in Lexington, NC currently features over 25 local, national, and international artists, educators, and entrepreneurs sharing their custom, handmade, repurposed, vintage, and pre-loved treasures, along with a wide variety of healing, art, and wellness services!
On The Funk! website, you have access to endless opportunities! Connect and collaborate with creatives around the world, discover local and national resource, share your products and services, become a member, learn about upcoming events and opportunities, register for classes, rent space, and so much more!
Come embrace The Funk!
Value Diversity
Inspire Creativity
Believe in the Power of Positivity
Embrace Individuality
Support Community
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with myself.
As some of you may be aware, the person who gave birth to me did not want children and was completely out of my life by the time I was five. Therefore, there was very little chance to become “me” and even less chance to “know” who I was.
Therefore, I have spent my entire life being my own mother, making mistakes, and creating a me that I can have a loving relationship with.
This has been an extremely long process since most of my life has been spent struggling to just survive.
At the end of 2019, before there was any public acknowledgement of a major change in how we live our daily lives, I was faced with another major life decision that would completely uproot the life I was creating and the massive progress I had made in creating stability for myself.
Since there is rarely a guaranteed outcome, I decided it was time for a new adventure.
What an adventure!
After several unexpected twists and turns, I found myself working from home and spending a lot of time literally looking in the mirror, which I have avoided most of my life because the reflection was too painful to see.
A friend had introduced me to Napoleon Hill and it was time for me to figure out what I truly desire in life so that I could provide it for myself.
It has been over five years now and I am finally feeling more aligned with my genuine self, my ability to fulfill my true purpose, and living the life that I desire.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me so much while simultaneously seeming completely unnecessary.
I understand the balance of light and darkness, in a way. However, I also feel that life presents some pretty intense moments of pain, but we tend to inflict the suffering on ourselves as if the initial pain also requires punishment.
As I move forward in life, my goal is to minimize the suffering as much as possible. Each moment of pain is faced with the reality that it is a projection of other existing pain and meeting those moments with emotional intelligence, awareness, support, grace, and forgiveness will reduce the suffering that moment could have caused.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to fulfilling my purpose and the purpose of The Funk!, which is creating unity through diversity by educating, empowering, and growing creative communities.
I believe that by providing education on and access to existing resources, sharing overhead, reducing expenses, collaborating on mutually beneficial goals, empowering ourselves and each other, and growing connections, we can share unlimited abundance!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe that I am doing what I was born to do since doing the opposite of what I’m told has been more beneficial for me, in general.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thefunkonline.com
- Instagram: @thefunkcreativecommunity
- Facebook: @TheFunkUSA
- Other: https://BellyDancebyShaula.com
Image Credits
Brian Leon Photography
J Victoria Exposures
