Catapults and Turkey Legs: My Renaissance Faire Summer

Most people spend their first summer job folding shirts at the mall or flipping burgers. My first experience in the workforce was a bit more... medieval. I spent my summers working at my uncle’s catapult booth at the Renaissance Faire.

It was a unique world filled with corsets, flower crowns, and the constant smell of roasted turkey legs. My "salary" was a grand total of $32 per day, which luckily included my lunch. At the time, it felt like a small fortune for a summer spent in the sun!

An Early Lesson in Joy

Looking back, that catapult booth was actually my first real lesson in the business of spreading joy. There is something universally delightful about watching someone launch a projectile at a target while being cheered on by a crowd in period costumes.

My job wasn't just about managing the booth: it was about the experience. I learned how to engage with strangers, how to celebrate their small wins, and how a little bit of playfulness can brighten someone's entire day.

That same spirit is what drives JoyousJoyfulJoyness today. Whether I am designing a sticker or launching a catapult, the goal remains the same: I want to create a moment of genuine, uncomplicated happiness for someone else.

It turns out that "Joy" has been my business model since the very beginning!

What was your very first job? Was it a traditional "first gig" or something a little more out of the ordinary? I would love to hear your stories in the comments!