Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Martinez.
Hi Leslie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began in a way I never really expected—with clothes. I launched a women’s boutique to help women look and feel confident, but I quickly realized I wasn’t just selling outfits, I was building a community. As I styled women, we’d talk about goals, fears, faith, and identity. Before I knew it, I was hosting in-home workshops, going live to offer encouragement, and helping women pursue confidence from the inside out.
That community nudged me into life coaching, and eventually I became a Certified Master Life Coach. I started my podcast Your Joyful Order, to reach even more women with encouragement, real-life stories, and growth tools. I also began creating faith-inspired journals and resources, things I wished I had when I started.
However, it wasn’t a straight path. In 2020, I made the decision to close my boutique and start hosting in-person coaching events—then the pandemic hit. I pivoted, got my certification during lockdown, and began building the podcast. Right before launch, I caught COVID and ended up with long-haul symptoms that delayed the launch of my Podcast. There were moments I wondered if these setbacks were signs to quit, but deep down, I knew this calling was planted for a reason. I launched the podcast months later and have now recorded 117 episodes and more to come!
Before all of this, I worked in ministry for nearly a decade as a Children’s Director, then transitioned to the classroom to spend more time with my family. Teaching gave me the space to launch my clothing shop on the side, and eventually that shop outpaced my salary. I left the classroom and went all-in on entrepreneurship. Learning photography, marketing, podcasting, and product creation mostly on my own. I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years, but every piece has built on the last.
Today, I coach women, lead workshops, create digital and physical resources, run a podcast, and photograph others’ joy-filled moments alongside my husband. The common thread? Helping women live with purpose and joy, no matter where they are in life.
My faith fuels me, but I lead with compassion and creativity. My why is to “Live joyfully with no regrets.” I want to look back on life knowing I tried, I showed up, and I didn’t hold back. Whether I’m speaking into a mic, designing a journal, or capturing a quiet moment through my lens, I just want people to feel like they’re not alone and that joy is still possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth, but meaningful. Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve faced my fair share of detours, delays, and doubts. One of the hardest seasons was in 2020 when I made the big decision to close my boutique and focus on in-person coaching events, and then the world shut down. I had to pivot fast. I used that time to get certified as a Master Life Coach and prep to launch my podcast. Just when I thought I was ready to go live, I got COVID, and it was not just a quick case. I dealt with long-haul symptoms for months. It felt like every time I gained momentum, something pulled me back.
I also struggled with impostor syndrome early on. I didn’t know any other women doing what I was trying to build, so I figured things out through trial and error, everything from launching journals to learning how to record and edit my podcast. There were late nights, tech fails, and moments I wanted to scrap the whole thing.
But through it all, I held on to this deep conviction that what I was building mattered. Even when the path didn’t look how I expected, I believed I was still on the right one. The setbacks made me scrappy, resourceful, and more compassionate toward other women starting their journeys.
Honestly, the bumps in the road taught me that growth isn’t always glamorous; it’s often quiet, messy, and full of character-building moments, and I wouldn’t trade that part of the story for anything.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Certified Master Life Coach, podcaster, journal creator, and photographer, but at the heart of it all, I help women create lives they love and find joy in the journey.
My work spans a few different areas:
I coach women one-on-one and in groups to help them set boundaries, pursue purpose, and break free from burnout.
I host a podcast called Your Joyful Order, where I share real-life conversations around growth, faith, and personal transformation.
I create both digital and physical tools, like my line of faith-inspired journals, to help women reflect, grow, and stay grounded.
And I run a photography business with my husband, capturing milestone moments for families, grads, and creatives.
What I’m known for is creating spaces, online and in real life, where women feel seen, supported, and uplifted. Whether it’s through my voice, visuals, or products, people tell me they feel like they’re sitting with a friend who gets them.
What sets me apart is that I blend strategy with soul. I’m not just about chasing goals; I care deeply about helping women slow down, listen to what they need, and create meaningful, joy-filled lives. My approach is equal parts heart and hustle. I’ve lived the burnout. I’ve questioned my worth. I’ve reinvented myself more than once. So I coach, speak, and create from experience, not a script.
I’m most proud of the community that has formed around my work. Hearing from someone who felt stuck, but found hope again through something I created—that’s the kind of success that means the most to me.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Honestly, I didn’t have many mentors when I started. I had to figure most things out the hard way—Googling, trial-and-error, and a lot of late nights. But what I learned is that sometimes, the right mentors show up after you start moving. Clarity and connections often come through action.
My best advice is: don’t wait to be invited, show up, ask questions, offer value, and stay curious. Some of the best connections I’ve made have come from simply showing up to local events, being active in online communities, or reaching out to someone I admired and letting them know how their work impacted me.
Also, don’t underestimate peer mentorship. Some of my most meaningful support has come from other women who were figuring it out at the same time as me. We grew together.
And when you do find someone willing to guide you, even in small ways, stay teachable, be consistent, and pay it forward. I’m passionate now about supporting other women starting, because I remember how lonely and overwhelming it can be.
Networking doesn’t have to be transactional. Lead with authenticity, and the right relationships will follow.
Pricing:
- Journals- $24.99
- Coaching starting at $50 per hour
- Podcast- FREE99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopjoyfulorder.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourjoyfulorderstyle/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsXoAYIM2mfclNtYiaOzIUw
Image Credits
Joyful Order Media
