Creativity Over Coffee: Nancy Levanchy (JOYE)

We took a bit of a summer hiatus but it’s time for a fresh installment of Creativity Over Coffee. An interview series where I chat with my creative friends.

I’m really very excited to introduce you to such a special person – Nancy Levanchy owner of the very beautiful and fun gift shop – JOYE. Nancy’s shop is a spot of JOYE in Scituate Harbor. I know she needs no introduction to local friends but those further afield may need one. Nancy is so warm and friendly and her shop is a reflection of her. She is also so supportive of local artists, myself included, she carries box sets of my note cards. I love shopping at JOYE to find truly unique gifts for family and friends.

Nancy has a wonderful way with people, great business savvy and wonderful tips for those of you who are dreaming of opening up your own shops.

Grab your coffee, or tea, and join us for Creativity Over Coffee.

I’m so excited for you guys to meet Nancy:

Hi Nancy, I’m so excited to be chatting with you today. JOYE has always been a favorite shop in the harbor. It is beautiful styled and I love discovering new artists and new treasures. Can you share more about JOYE with my readers?

Nancy – Well, I had been managing a gift store for my friend for several years, and was looking to do something else, when the opportunity popped up in Scituate harbor to buy a business of my own.  It had always been a little dream to own my own store, and so I went for it and 12 years later, here we are!  It started out as more home décor/garden, with a small selection of jewelry, scarves and bags, but that was what kept selling and taking over more space, so that blossomed more than I had intended!  I love interesting gift items and handmade treasures, so that continued to be sprinkled in, and joye just became somewhat of an eclectic collection of things I like!

I’ve always loved the name of your shop. How did you come up with it?

Nancy – The name joye comes from my favorite word, and sentiment.   When trying to decide a name for the store, ‘joy’ just kept popping into my head and I wanted to figure a way to use it, but it needed something more.  My very creative friend and I were doodling the word, we put an ‘e’ on the end, and “joy with an ‘e’” became my own!  It looked like such a happy little word and seemed to perfectly reflect what I wanted the store to be  – a happy little place!

You opened JOYE 12 years ago. Ever since you opened the doors it’s been a destination for shoppers. What’s the secret to your success?

Nancy – What I hear from my customers is that they like coming in because there is always something new.  I have my usual tried and true lines at the store, but I often buy small quantities of random items as well.  I know for myself, when I am out shopping, I always enjoy a happy surprise – something unexpected, or unusual, or just priced lower than I would expect – and I hope to give that experience to my customers.  I have a very small store and we turn inventory pretty quickly, so it allows me to change it up frequently and try different things and also to bring in local artists to showcase their work!  We enjoy getting to know our customers, and hope that we create a friendly atmosphere without being pushy.  I want everyone who walks through the door to feel comfortable spending time here.

When do you feel most creative or happy?

Nancy – I feel most creative and happy on a sunny morning, with my coffee, in my store before it opens….

Who or what inspires you?

Nancy – I walk with a friend most mornings, through Scituate Harbor and to the Lighthouse.  The sun coming up over the harbor is one of the most beautiful sights, and we feel so fortunate to start the day with that beautiful, hopeful view.  That inspires me!

What’s been your biggest challenge owning a gift shop?

Nancy – The biggest challenge I think is figuring out the balance of work/life.  Because when you own your own business, you could, and often should, be there 24/7, but there is so much else going on in life that you want/need to do!  I have trouble with those decisions!

What’s your favorite color?

Nancy – Yellow is my favorite color – it feels happy to me.  We painted our last house yellow – it is such a sunny, friendly color.   Although, I really like green too!

Yes, based on your storefront I would have thought your favorite color is green. Many local businesses need help in our current climate. What advice would you give to consumers to help small and local businesses?

Nancy – In these craziest of times, I would just ask consumers to try to shop local and support their own communities.  It benefits us all to keep our towns healthy and thriving.  We are SO lucky to live in this community…and whether you contribute in any small way by supporting local shops, restaurants, small businesses, the schools, the less fortunate, the elderly – whatever – we all have the capability to make our own town strong and healthy by keeping our dollars and focus local!

What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps or who would like to start a small business?

Nancy – I am always encouraging people who want to start their own business to go for it.  It is so rewarding!  My wish is that more people would follow their dream and open a (preferably retail) business in Scituate Harbor and help this little gem of a downtown to become what it has the potential to be! 

Growing up I was a huge follower of INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO.  At the end of the program, they would ask the interviewee these questions:

What is your favorite word? joy!

What is your least favorite word? moist

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Music is a motivator for all three.  Accompanied by a glass of wine definitely enhances the creative process. 

What turns you off? Mean and arrogant people

What is your favorite curse word? Oh no.  I can’t bring myself to write it!  But ask anyone who knows me.  It’s that word that feels SO good to say, but is SO bad to hear.

What sound or noise do you love? I love the sound of people laughing

What sound or noise do you hate? I hate the sound of people crying

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I always thought working in a tv studio behind the scenes would be fun!

What profession would you not like to do? Would never want to be a dentist for so many obvious reasons.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome!  Let’s bring you over to see your Dad and some of your old friends and family…..

A huge thank you to Nancy for sharing so much of her journey and herself. I hope you enjoyed this chat as much as I did and I hope it’s inspired all of you at home. Be sure to follow along with Nancy and Joye below:

Website * Instagram * Facebook

If you’d like more Creativity Over Coffee you can read the full series here

* Photos courtesy of Joye and taken by Jenni Dehn