Lisa Even Comes To Warren County Women's Mentoring Event

By Vonnie Potter, Real Estate Professional serving Norwalk and Surrounding Communities

Hosted by, the Norwalk Area, Indianola and Carlisle Chambers

As someone who helps families navigate major life transitions through real estate, I've learned that successful life changes aren't just about logistics – they're about maintaining the emotional fuel that sustains us through challenges. That's exactly what keynote speaker Lisa Even addressed in her powerful presentation: "Joy is My Job: Reclaiming What Fuels You."



The Setting: Wilson's Orchard as the Perfect Backdrop

There couldn't have been a more fitting venue than Wilson's Orchard & Farm for a conversation about rediscovering joy. As attendees gathered in the farm's beautiful event space, surrounded by seasonal abundance, the metaphor was unmistakable – joy, like a well-tended orchard, requires intentional cultivation to bear fruit.

"When was the last time you truly enjoyed yourself?" Lisa Even asked as she opened her keynote, and you could feel the room collectively pause. "Not to check a box. Not to be productive. But simply for the joy of it.  Joy is very unique to you and will look different to us all."

The question hung in the air like morning dew, settling into the consciousness of women who had arrived with their mental to-do lists still running, their phones buzzing with responsibilities, their minds already jumping to the next thing after this event ended.

Lisa Even's Message: Joy as Fuel, "Borrow Some of Mine"

Lisa Even didn't waste time with pleasantries. Her message was direct: "Today let's pretend we are sitting in a coffee shop, just chatting as friends.  Waiting to be caffeinated and fueled.  Some would say I am over-fueled or over caffeinated, with a smile on her face.  So, if you find yourself low on fuel today, you can borrow some of mine!"

What struck me most about Lisa's approach was her practical framework for understanding joy. According to research on Circle of Control and Stephen Covey sustainable happiness isn't about constant positivity – it's about building what Lisa called "reframing the mindset" through intentional practices.

The room was completely engaged when Lisa moved from theory to practice, sharing the simple tool that transformed her own relationship with joy. "I asked my husband to hang a whiteboard on our bedroom wall," she explained, "and I started with just one-hour moments." The examples were refreshingly accessible: a solo trip to a local coffee shop, an intentional movie night with the family, or creating a themed dinner night at home.

Lisa's framework centered on what she called the three pillars of sustainable joy: DESIRE (identifying what truly lights you up), PERMISSION (giving yourself the right to prioritize happiness), and BELIEF (trusting that joy is worth the investment of time and energy). These pillars, she explained, help remove the obstacles that keep us stuck – whether those barriers are financial constraints, work pressure, family responsibilities, or our own internal resistance to prioritizing happiness.

Then came the statistic that made the room collectively pause. "Did you know that only about 38% of Americans report being happy?" Lisa asked. "That leaves 62% of Americans who are unhappy."

I watched as heads nodded around the room – not with surprise, but with recognition. The statistic wasn't shocking; it was validating. It gave permission for the struggle that so many in the audience were quietly carrying. Looking around at the engaged faces, I couldn't help but wonder: if we had polled the room that morning, which category would these accomplished, driven women have placed themselves in? And more importantly, would that answer be different by the time they walked out with their Joy Toolkits in hand?

Breakout Sessions: Where the Real Work Happened

The 9:45 AM breakout session, "Where's the Joy? Permission and Planning," is where Lisa's concepts moved from inspiration to implementation.

Break out sessions were fun, engaging, and involved personal sharing of experiences and vulnerability.  Looking around I noticed the audience engaged, laughing, nodding and note taking often.

• Women worked together in small groups
• Women were sharing their ideas of joy and obstacles they faced daily
• The energy level during these sessions were palpable
• Women shared their answers in group formats to encourage others

The Joy Toolkit: Taking Action Beyond the Event

Perhaps the most thoughtful aspect of this event was Lisa's comprehensive "Joy is My Job Toolkit" that each participant received. This wasn't conference swag – it was a practical roadmap for sustained change.

The toolkit included:

• Brainstorming prompts to rediscover personal joy triggers
• Reflection worksheets for identifying and clearing joy roadblocks
• Joy List and Joy Challenges for practical implementation
• Joy Swaps designed for busy schedules
• Author's Book "Joy is my Job" by Lisa Even Buy On Amazon

The Joy Swap & Networking: Community in Action

The final networking segment, dubbed the "Joy Swap," perfectly embodied the community spirit that makes Norwalk special. Women sharing ideas of what they considered to be individual, couple, or group ideas to find JOY in your everyday life.

I overheard conversations about being more spontaneous, read the book, get the massage, enjoy the coffee inside the coffee shop, have candles at dinner for no particular reason, break out the china, eat outside (picnic), try out the new comedy club or local restaurant, support the high-school football team with Hubby, check out the 9 Iowa best waterfalls trip, go hiking, and whatever you decide just deciding is what counts. 

The networking wasn't about business cards or professional advancement – it was about authentic connection and mutual support.

The Ripple Effect: What This Means for Our Community

As I reflected on the morning while driving back through downtown Norwalk, I was struck by the potential ripple effects of what had just occurred.

Lisa's closing message about "when women lead with joy, the ripple effect is undeniable" felt particularly relevant for our growing community.

According to the American Psychological Association, communities with higher levels of individual wellbeing show increased:

• Civic engagement and volunteerism
• Support for local businesses
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Overall community resilience

Finding Your Own JOY

As a real estate professional who has helped families find their perfect homes in the Norwalk & DSM area, I've learned that successful relocations aren't just about square footage and school districts – they're about finding communities that support your whole life, including your happiness.

Events like "Joy is My Job" demonstrate why Norwalk continues to attract families seeking something beyond just affordable housing. This is a community that:

• Invests in personal and professional development for its residents
• Provides venues like Wilson's Orchard that support meaningful gatherings
• Fosters business leaders like Mel Guanci who prioritize community wellbeing
• Creates spaces for authentic connection and mutual support

The women who attended this morning's event aren't just creating more joy in their individual lives – they're building the kind of community that attracts other families seeking connection, growth, and authentic happiness.

Vonnie Potter specializes in helping clients find their perfect home in Norwalk, Iowa and surrounding communities. To learn more about living in a community that prioritizes wellbeing and connection, contact Vonnie Potter at 515-710-3722 or vonnie@iowarealty.com. "Helping families find not just houses, but homes where joy can flourish."

About the Speakers and Organizers

Lisa Even - Leadership Coach, Author, Keynote Speaker

Event Resources and Follow-Up

Wilson's Orchard & Farm: https://www.wilsonsorchard.com/ 

Norwalk Area Chamber: https://www.norwalkchamber.org 

Indianola Chamber:  https://www.indianolachamber.com/

Carlisle Chamber:  https://carlisleiachamber.org/

Lisa Even: https://www.lisaeven.com 

Photos by Calli Tuggle Photography: https://www.callitugglephotography.com/

Copyright Notice

© 2025 Vonnie Potter/Iowa Realty. All rights reserved.

This content is the intellectual property of Vonnie Potter and is protected by copyright laws. Information about the "Joy is My Job" event is shared with permission and reflects observations made during the public event held on 9/25/25.