Daily Inspiration: Meet Amber Joy Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Joy Martin.

Hi Amber Joy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Amber Joy, and my parent moved from the Gulf coast panhandle to Nashville in 1998. I went to Overton HS and hopped back and forth after graduation til I finally landed back in TN for a hairstylist position in Franklin in 2006. I’m now in my late 30s and have been working and living in or close to downtown Franklin ever since. During that time, I cared for the people in my community, traveled, and met my husband. We now have 2 kids, a family of our own, a small business, and a doodle with many blessings and possibilities awaiting us!

My husband and I are long-time service providers of downtown Franklin, so needless to say, we love it here because we never left, but our line of work does look a little different. My husband, who had previous martial arts experience, but was an artist and bar owner at the time, began re-learning and diligently training in traditional Korean martial arts in 2010 after we married. This was when the spark of motivation for better health and improvement started to take off.

In 2016, 6 weeks before our daughter was born, we opened Harvest Martial Arts in Independence Square. In 2017, I began training to teach yoga at our new space because I wanted to find a role that would also cater to my new mom’s schedule. I truly fell in love with teaching yoga and caring for others in such a different way. 2019 rocked us a bit. My husband, Justin, had torn his labrum and had hip surgery to repair the damage. They say a labrum tear surgery is one of the toughest to recover. In between the tear and repair, our son was born. In February 2020, he could finally walk again; our son was 5 months old. It seemed like we were on the mend, then Covid hit.

I couldn’t take on the stylist role with two babies at home. My 15 years of being behind the chair had come to an end. I had to choose where I was happiest, so I left to be a stay-at-home mom and yogi. I had to choose between taking care of myself and my family while taking a larger role in running my small business, over my clients, and so many beautiful relationships I had made over the years. We had to shut our doors at Harvest Martial Arts. It was a lot. We weren’t sure what the future held for us. We knew we had to get creative, so everything moved outdoors and soon online.

Looking back on it all, having stepped aside from salon people pleasing to a more self-compassion and communal leadership role, I learned so much about myself. I’ve learned how to use my skills as a sales representative and in customer satisfaction to help grow and sustain our business throughout a pandemic, continue to show up for my family and my community, and guide others uniquely and positively. The shift had brought me much more purpose and joy than I had expected. We were hustling through the unknowns and just kept showing up.

In April of 2021, almost a year after we closed our doors, we opened and renamed our new location, The Harvest Concept. Now catering more to traditional practices, fitness, and overall wellness. I didn’t mention before that Justin and I are huge gardeners, where “Harvest” – what we call it – got its name. We used to be two young people in love just keeping the plants alive, planting, seeding, watering, weeding, waiting. As we began the journey towards better care of ourselves, we used that mentality as motivation. It was a law to be lived by and something we knew to be familiar and comfortable, yet also very achievable and rewarding.

I continue to work as a hairdresser, shop owner, yoga teacher, and mom of two. During the pandemic, I began facilitating yoga and wellness workshops and became a 500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher. I have about 750+ total teacher training hours in Baptiste-inspired power vinyasa yoga, children and youth yoga teacher certifications. I stay busy 🙂

Justin is a global leader: personal trainer, and influencer in the World Han Mu Do Association and Korean Martial Arts community, with 3 Dan black belts and ranked Master instructor by the founder of Han Mu Do, Dr. He Young Kimm, and still holds the title of World Champion He Young Kimm Cup Tournament since 2019.

We used to be cutting hair and serving drinks, but I think we just loved the energy of making people feel good and being around like-minded people. So now, we’re still living the dream; it feels much better motivating healthier choices and encouraging positivity, self-care, and discipline over a quick fix.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It had ups and downs. Shutting down our business and moving it outdoors and online in 2020 for a full 18 months was like rebuilding after a fire, but it was also full of so many amazing memories and experiences. The forced opportunity to try things on in new ways and be leading in places you normally never would be incredible. I wouldn’t change a thing. Having babies and postpartum. Covid. But again, while riding the struggle bus to succeed, motivate, sustain and grow, there was so much joy in being home with our little kids. Those are times and struggles that non of us will remember in the long run bc there was so much bliss in-between. We’ll never get that time back, and sometimes those forces situations turn out to be great times when you look back.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for being funny and social, changing my hair a lot, loving plants and gardening, teaching yoga, and being a long-time Aveda hair color specialist in the area. I’ve had an amazing career as a hairstylist. And now, I think what sets me apart is that I have all that salon and service industry caretaking knowledge, a self-care routine stored in my brain that I can cross-promote over into my yoga teaching. There’s nothing wrong with us, but I’m highly trained in pleasing people and that we can “fix you,” make you feel better, and solve your problem. We care for the world with such high standards but are we caring for ourselves as we care for the world? I want to encourage others to use those standards to better themselves so they may take better care of the world. It’s all about being aware of how we are, how we treat ourselves, and keeping positive energy flowing within us.

Alright, before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work, collaborate, or support you?
I work as an on-location formal/bridal hairstylist, which I’m currently booking into 2023. I love to promote other talented local artists in the area as well. I would love to collaborate with the yoga community through workshops, retreats, festivals, and wellness events. The Harvest Concept also offers personal training for singles or groups in general fitness, martial arts, yoga, or traditional archery and hosts sound baths, beginner workshops, and CBD + yoga experiences.

You can support us by signing up for a class or attending a workshop at The Harvest Concept in historic downtown Franklin, follow us on socials @theharvestconcept + @fancyamberjoy, and or connecting with us at harvestisrad@gmail.com. We have a FREE Women’s Self Defense workshop. Coming up in September is a CannaNidra (CBD+yoga) event, and we will be offering yoga in the park throughout the fall, which will be a FREE event as well.

Pricing:

• 6 class pass $125
• month to month all inclusive membership $150 mo
• yearly all inclusive membership $125 mo
• personal training $75+

Contact Info:

• Website: theharvestconcept.com
• Instagram: @theharvestconcept
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theharvestconcept
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-our8PtumxtSyjMYO33g_A