Joyful Rising Writing & Marketing

04/23/2026

At the end of 2020, I sold my top-rated massage therapy studio.

Seventeen employees to zero. The pandemic broke something open in me that I'd been ignoring for a long time. Burnout. Resentment. The quiet sense that I'd built a beautiful thing that was slowly eating me alive.

So I walked away. And I rebuilt as a solo digital marketing business, because it's what I wanted, even if no one else got it. "Choosing small after big" isn't the story entrepreneurs are taught to tell.

Three years later, my wife was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. It's been a roller coaster ride of hope and heartbreak. Chemo, stem cell transplant, radiation, CAR T-cell therapy, and never-ending Levine Cancer Institute visits (21 in the past month alone).

I've worked on my laptop while she slept through infusions. I've watched numbers on lab reports and learned to breathe through the ones that went the wrong direction. I've been more scared than I knew was possible.
I didn't sell the studio because I saw any of this coming. I sold it because I was burned out, and something in me knew bigger wasn't the answer for me.

But when cancer showed up, the small, quiet version of the business I'd already built was the thing that let me show up as her wife and her caregiver.

Small isn't a downgrade. Sometimes it's your future self taking care of you before you know you need it.

That's the story I'm sharing live on April 28th.

I'm one of nine speakers at the virtual launch of The Nurture Method, a new book by Heather Roberts for entrepreneurs who are building businesses and families at the same time.

In 2 hours, you'll get three panels of real entrepreneur stories (from solo builders to $10M founders), a live Q&A, exclusive speaker gifts for live attendees, a grand prize drawing, and special book offers.

📅 April 28, 2026
⏰ 1:00 to 3:00 PM ET
💻 100% free

👉 Register to join us live: thenurturemethod.co/book-launch

Can't attend live? Register anyway, and you'll get the replay delivered to your inbox.

If any of this story resonated with you, I hope you'll come. 💛

04/20/2026

For the burned-out, soul-first entrepreneurs in my circle, this is for you. 💕

Six years ago, I sold my top-rated massage therapy practice and rebuilt my work life as a solo digital marketing business. On paper, it looked like I was going backward. In reality, I was choosing a version of success that actually fit me.

I'm sharing that whole story on Tuesday, April 28th, at the virtual launch of The Nurture Method by Heather Roberts, alongside 8 other entrepreneurs (from one-person powerhouses to $10M founders) who've built businesses without losing themselves in the process.

The 2 hours include three panels: Redefining Success, Scaling Without Losing Your Soul, and From Startup to Stability. Plus a live Q&A, exclusive speaker gifts for live attendees, a grand prize drawing, and special book offers.

🗓️ April 28, 2026
⏰ 1:00 to 3:00 PM EST
🆓 100% Free

👉 Register to join us live: thenurturemethod.co/book-launch

And if life gets in the way on the 28th? Register anyway. You'll get the replay sent to your inbox so you don't miss a thing. 💛

01/14/2026

I had a great time chatting with Ross Feldman on the It On Call Professional Podcast. Thank you for the thoughtful questions and easy conversation, Ross! 🎙️

We talked about clear brand messaging, website essentials, good old-fashioned networking, and using AI tools to save time (while still sounding like you).

🎧 Listen here: itoncall.podbean.com/e/from-blank-page-to-brilliant-brand-marketing-websites-ai-hacks

Ross interviews Danielle Ratliff of Joyful Rising Writing and Marketing about building clear brand messaging, website and copy essentials, and how to use AI and tools like Grammarly, Calendly, Google Workspace, and Canva to save time and improve results. They discuss practical tips for small busines...

01/14/2026

So excited to see Lori Savio and Home Heart & Soul featured in Lake Norman Currents Magazine! Getting a glimpse inside her own home makes the feature even more special. ✨

Well deserved, Lori! 💛

Read the full article here ➡️ homeheartandsoul.com/blogs/articles-events/intentional-space

01/08/2026

Ginny Hicks just wrapped her annual review with her bookkeeper, and the numbers made me do a little happy dance. 💃

With a mix of strategic email campaigns, social posts, and targeted website tweaks, Knead It or Knot saw an 8% revenue increase in 2025 — even after the previous year was already her best yet. (That part matters. Because growth on top of a strong year doesn't happen by accident.)

This is exactly why I love what I do at Joyful Rising Writing & Marketing: authentic, intentional marketing that actually moves the needle — without feeling salesy or overwhelming.

So proud of you, Ginny! 🙌

If you’re ready for marketing that feels doable and delivers results, DM me to book a virtual meeting. I'm booking website projects for May 2026 and beyond.

01/07/2026

We’re excited to be featured in the January 2026 issue of SouthPark Magazine! ✨

This month’s article highlights our creative partnership with Danielle Ratliff of Joyful Rising Writing & Marketing. Craftsmanship and authentic marketing work together to strengthen our connection with homeowners across the Charlotte region.

👉 Read the full feature on our website and see how collaboration helps bring the Avid brand to life:

avidpaintingllc.com/media/when-craftsmanship-meets-creative-vision

We’re thrilled to be featured in the January 2026 issue of SouthPark Magazine, highlighting a creative partnership with Danielle Ratliff, Owner of Joyful Rising Writing & Marketing, that strengthens Avid’s connection with homeowners across the Charlotte region.

01/30/2025

Are you a woman business owner or entrepreneur in Lake Norman? Lori has space available at Home Heart & Soul that would be perfect for a massage therapist, esthetician, retailer, or other professional!

01/14/2025

There's nothing better than receiving a New Year's email saying, "I hope you are amazing! I must report our SEO is still cruising. Thank you!!"

Working with fabulous clients like Christiane Matey, founder and expert dietitian at MINT Nutrition, is such a joy.

01/01/2025

A new chapter begins! As we step into 2025, the possibilities are endless. Just like the pages of a book waiting to be written, this year is full of opportunities to tell your story, grow your brand, and make your vision a reality.

Cheers to new beginnings, bold ideas, and stories that inspire! 🎉

11/05/2024

🌟 Huge shoutout to Michelle for her powerful and thought-provoking Activate The Awesome blog post! 🌟

She dives into the importance of strength, momentum, and optimism during election time—something we all need more of these days.

➡️ Don't miss it: tinyurl.com/ActivatingAWESOME

One part that really resonates with me: "Election results often reveal differences in perspective, even among those closest to us—family, friends, spouses, and colleagues. You may not agree with the outcome or the choices of those around you, but this is where we need to Activate the Awesome. It’s about looking beyond differences and remembering the relationships, values, and goals that unite us."

💬 What are your thoughts? Let’s keep the conversation positive and focused on what brings us together.