Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joy M. Hutton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joy M., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

If I were starting over, I’d focus more on blocking out other people’s opinions about what I should be doing with my career. Early on, I internalized too much of what naysayers were saying, which made me feel pressured to prove myself and achieve overnight success. I spent a lot of time comparing myself to others instead of concentrating on my own path. In hindsight, I’d remind myself that no one else is going to live my life but me. Embracing my unique journey and focusing on doing what truly resonates with me would have made the process more fulfilling and authentic and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. I have released other people’s opinions and followed the path that is designed for me.

Joy M., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the Founder and CEO of Joy of Consulting, a management consulting firm where we are passionate about creating positive workplace cultures through training and development and coaching. Our services are designed to help your organization create a culture that fosters engagement, productivity, and innovation.

I started Joy of Consulting in 2016 because I wanted to help people on a larger scale and felt like I was being put in a box and not being challenged in the traditional workplace. My background is in Human Resources and Operations and I took those skills and turned it into a scalable business. Joy of Consulting provided a pathway to serving as a mentor and advisor to thousands of startups and small business owners. People poured into me along my journey and I feel it is my duty to do the same.

I am also the Founder and CEO of on the go GLAM, a beauty on demand marketplace that delivers hair, makeup, and nail services in the comfort of your home, office, or hotel. We offer convenience as a service in three easy steps: Book. Pay. Prepare to be GLAMorous. Clients can receive anything from a blowout to a manicure at the tip of their fingers.

Although we are a consumer-facing platform, we have an emphasis on our GLAM Pros. We want to develop a strong workforce in the beauty industry. Our community faces multiple challenges, especially in the beauty industry. The pandemic had a significant impact on beauty service providers, leading to job loss and limited options for clients seeking professional services. on the go GLAM aims to address these problems by providing a platform that connects beauty professionals with clients, enabling them to earn supplemental income and upskill as beauty entrepreneurs.

Our platform addresses pain points for clients by offering services in the safety and convenience of their own homes or preferred locations. This flexibility allows clients to reclaim their time and avoid the hassle of traditional salon visits.

In addition, we have implemented an initiative called “Give GLAM.” Through this program we provide in-kind beauty services to organizations supporting women who have experienced domestic violence, poverty, and human trafficking. Our goal is to make a positive impact in our community and empower women in need.

on the go GLAM was started out of a need – it was not something I had planned to do. I was in LA in November 2016 and wanted my makeup done at 7 o’ clock in the morning but everything was closed. I thought to myself, “wouldn’t it be great if there were an app where I could book someone to come to my hotel room?” And this is how on the go GLAM was born.

I started working on this idea in 2017 and had to put it on hold because I went through a tumultuous divorce. Picked it back up again in 2019, and then the pandemic hit. During 2020, my sister also passed unexpectedly. I didn’t know if I should continue down this path but I knew she wouldn’t want me to give up. When non-essential businesses were allowed to reopen, a month after my sister passed, I launched on the go GLAM. This business has been a true test of my patience, resilience, and realizing that this work is so much bigger than me.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

To manage a team effectively and maintain high morale, especially in a remote work environment, it’s crucial to build a positive and inclusive culture. It is important to foster open communication and ensure that every team member feels heard and valued. Regular check-ins and virtual team-building activities can help strengthen relationships and create a sense of community as well.

People like to feel good and recognized for the hard work that they do. Encourage transparency and celebrate successes, both big and small, to keep motivation high. It is also important to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. I am a huge advocate of professional development and receiving feedback from my team on how I can help them grow. By prioritizing a supportive and collaborative culture, you can keep your team engaged and enthusiastic, even when working remotely.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My consulting firm, Joy of Consulting, had very little overhead and startup costs; but I used my savings to hire a graphic designer to create my logo, develop my website, and create other creative assets for my business. I always set aside at least 10-15% of my revenue to put back into the business for marketing and technology expenses. I was constantly thinking of ways to be innovative as well as streamline the business.

on the go GLAM was an entirely different beast and I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first started. I was a non-technical founder and was unaware of what it costs to build an app, hire a technical team, and scale a tech startup. I used my savings that I had acquired from my first business, Joy of Consulting, to start the business. I lost over $30K in building the first version of my app and had to take some time away from the business so that I could do it the right way and surround myself with people that could help me. Building technology and staying ahead of the curve is very expensive. I have bootstrapped my business since the launch in 2020. I attempted to do a crowdfunding campaign and was ill-prepared and did not raise as much much as I thought I would. I have considered venture capital funding, but it is something I have chosen not to rush into. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race and I want to maintain full equity in my business as long as possible, but at some point I will have to consider it. Several failed experiences, mentors, books, and workshops later, I now know what I need to be doing in the space, but again, some lessons had to be learned the hard way and now I can share those with others so they can avoid the same pitfalls.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joyofconsulting.com | www.onthegoglam.com
• Instagram: @joy_m_h | @otgglam | @joyofconsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joymhutton
• Youtube: bit.ly/sipwithjoy

Image Credits

Kenneth Eke
Grundy Wiley
Phillip Flores