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Hi, I'm Michael.

Michael Whyte, founder of Lean Towards Joy, sitting on rocks by the water

Thank you so much for visiting! Lean Towards Joy™ began with the belief that if I leaned towards joy, followed my passion, and shined my light, the Universe would take care of the rest. I had to let go of what no longer served me to make room for what did, and I have been leaning towards joy ever since.

How it started

I am married to a therapist and Reiki practitioner who worked for an agency for five years before opening her own private practice. At the agency she loved all of her clients. However, she was incredibly bogged down with paperwork and was unable to bring her Reiki into client sessions. After we had our first son, she knew it was time to go out on her own. I was so proud of her for honoring how she felt and for taking action.

The decision would bring freedom, but it left us a lot to contend with. Where were we going to get health insurance for our 12 month old son? What was the best way to set up a business that would sustain our growing family, not just a hobby on the side? From the agency she got a regular paycheck and taxes were easy. Now what? Should she sublet or lease her own office? When leaving the agency she would leave behind a billing department, clinical forms, and HIPAA compliant phones and email. We had a lot to figure out, and we had to do it all at once and as inexpensively as possible!

This is where I was able to let my background shine. While I focused on the "boring" "scary" stuff, my wife was able to concentrate on being her awesome self. We signed a three year office lease before she had enough clients to pay for it. She rewrote her referral profiles from how she felt rather than from a standard professional template. Within six weeks, her two client private practice "hobby" grew to sixteen clients, and within two weeks of leaving the agency she was bringing in the same salary.

My background

I began my career as a fund accountant and equity analyst in Boston, where I honed my financial skills. From there I moved into operations and consulting, focusing on data and strategy, and today I serve as the CFO of an independent non-profit school. I hold a B.S. in Economics from Salem State University. I love analytical work, but I am not a "cubicle" person. I am an entrepreneur at heart who strives to help others.

My wife and I are proud parents of three children. Outside of work you will find me running, hiking, and spending time with our kids and our rescue pup. I believe joy can be found in every moment. It is what helps me strike a balance between my personal and professional life while staying connected to nature and family.

8AND COUNTING

Industries Served

  • Mental Health
  • Personal Training
  • Massage Therapy
  • Automotive
  • Life Coaching
  • Construction
  • Mediumship
  • Non-Profit

Why I do this work

Be the support you wish you'd had

My wife and I belong to a growing community of therapists, energy healers, and heart-felt entrepreneurs. When we shared the leap she made, we were always met with the same concerns we had at the start. So many people dream of going out on their own but get hung up on the fear and anxiety around not having support or guidance.

I would like to be that support and guidance for you. Whether you are a therapist, a trainer, a builder, or a coach, the work you do provides a much needed light in the world. I am blessed to be part of that light.

"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'no' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something." Steve Jobs, Stanford, 2005

That question has stayed with me ever since. It is why I listen to my heart before making a decision, and why I built a company around leaning towards joy.

The philosophy

Leaning towards joy is step one

  1. Lean towards joy

    The most important step. When you start leaning towards joy, the hurdles seem to disappear and the abundance begins to flow.

  2. Follow your passion

    Inspired action is different from any other action, because it comes from your authentic self. The next step starts feeling like a stepping stone on your path.

  3. Shine your light

    Your clients are waiting, and to them you will be a beacon of light. My job is to clear the path so you can shine.

Today

Same why, a wider toolbox

Years of operations, data, and strategy work have made me a better partner for the practices I help. I bring the same care to a first-time business owner choosing a structure as I would to a company planning its next year, and I keep an eye on the newer tools, from online scheduling to AI, so you don't have to.

I always offer a free 30 minute discovery call where we can chat about your passion and the best way I can help your growing business. I can't wait to hear from you.

m i c h a e l

Your clients are waiting. Let's clear the path.

A free, no-pressure 30 minute call about where you are now and where you would like to be.

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