Her Story
About Joy
Joy Freeman serves as VP of Sales for a subcontractor in commercial construction, a position she assumed after one year in the role. She entered the industry in 2016 following nearly three years in social work with children on the spectrum and emotionally disturbed youth, building on her undergraduate degree in social work from Georgia State University completed in 2014. Prior to her current role, Freeman progressed from administrative positions to estimating and virtual design and construction at a large commercial general contractor, after earlier experience at a residential reconstruction company. She maintains certifications including notary public, Drone Deploy Certified, and credentials in 360 imaging and laser scanning. Freeman is a member of NAWIC, the National Association of Women in Construction, and ABC of Georgia. She has presented on laser scanning to 500 women in construction and has chaired philanthropy efforts supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Cool Girls organization, which empowers young girls through STEM and STEAM initiatives. Freeman attributes her success to the supportive women in her life, including her mother and daughter, and she emphasizes values of kindness, self-care, and resilience in both her professional and personal spheres.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Joy
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from the women in my life who never let me stay down. They kept me up and pushed me forward. I also have a daughter I have to do that for, and my mom taught me to stay strong. It's the women I've chosen and who have chosen me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When you get down or a job pushes you down, you gotta get back up. Care more about yourself than the current situation. Know where your vision is. Take 24 hours if you need to feel bad, but then get back up and keep pushing through.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't take the social work path unless you have a long-term vision. In construction, don't let anyone make you feel less than. Don't take things to heart. Find a safe place or safe person to vent. Take care of yourself. Find a mentor or career coach. Keep pushing through because we're still paving the way for women in this industry.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that women in construction still have to prove themselves despite degrees, experience, and age. We're still trying to show we can be great PMs, superintendents, directors, executives, and CEOs. The opportunity is that women who have paved the way now allow all of us to do it too, and others are starting to recognize that women are just as good or better in many areas.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Stay kind, because everyone is dealing with something. Be kind to others professionally and be kind to yourself personally. Forgive yourself on bad days, take care of yourself, work out, and don't be so hard on yourself.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.