Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Harrell.
Hi Joy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I was quite the talker, much to the chagrin of my mom who received many phone calls from my teachers informing her as such. So, it was only befitting that I pursued a career in communications, became a staunch advocate and mentor for girls, and have now found my footing with negotiating real estate transactions and extolling desserts as co-owner of The Sift Sisters bakery. Well, the latter is more a testament to my inherited sweet tooth from my mom than it is to my precocious nature, but it all works together.
So, how’d I get here? I’m a native Houstonian and love the Houston community and the people who live here. I graduated from the University of Houston—Go Coogs!—with a degree in Journalism and settled into being a magazine writer and editor for several local and regional lifestyle magazines. I’ve interviewed and chatted with many people, from educators to entertainers to athletes to activists. Writing has always been my instrument to tell stories, store memories and engage in self-reflection. I moved to New York (twice) to pursue a few dreams and to advance my career. Ultimately, a marriage proposal brought me back home to Houston to build a life with my husband and a career as the corporate store operations communications manager for two Houston-based retailers.
I am also a strong believer in God, fate and karma, and know I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this moment in time. I am an avid runner, run blogger and adventurer (as long as it doesn’t involve snow). I revel in life’s simple pleasures and its big adventures, live for Houston’s hot summers and thrive on laughter. I have a deep affinity for food—which means I really like to eat and entertain and believe food connects and unifies people. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to pursue a dream or live the life you want to live or become the person you are meant to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My biggest challenge has been building my businesses during a pandemic and in the midst of social and racial reckonings in America in the wake of the higher-profile killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Navigating life and business during these precarious times is challenging but I always try to remain in the mindset of faith over fear, as well as keep top of mind the significance of the moment and my role in it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed real estate agent with Century 21 Exclusive Properties, a partner in a real estate investment company with my husband and co-owner of The Sift Sisters bakery with my sister. My foray into real estate started as an investor alongside my husband when we started flipping houses. I’ve always had a strong penchant for design, architecture, history and business. My goal—in business and in life—is to use my platform and resources to help others pursue their dreams and purposes, whether it’s creating financial security and family legacies through real estate ownership and community reinvestment, starting their own businesses or advancing their causes and organizations.
As a real estate agent, I help individuals and families find their first or forever home, navigate the new home construction process, relocate to Houston, sell a home or find an investment property. As a real estate investor who has purchased, renovated and sold several homes in Houston alongside my husband, I have sat on both sides of the table and know how exciting but daunting and complicated the process of buying, selling, building or investing in real estate can be. I guide, advise and support my clients every step of the way to ensure a low-stress experience. And, as the co-owner of The Sift Sisters, my mission is to further connect with, contribute to and serve the Houston community. We specialize in cakes, cupcakes, cookies and brownies that are made from scratch and with real ingredients (and love). Growing up, food—especially cake—was at the center of most occasions, celebrations and conversations.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Everything I do revolves around my life’s purpose to impact, influence, inspire and serve those around me, and that is one of the reasons I am a coach for Girls on the Run Greater Houston. Girls are too often still expected to follow and not lead, to stay quiet and not speak up for themselves or others and to temper who they are and not express an opinion, an idea or just be themselves. But their vision and voices matter and are vital to shifting and shaping this world. In closing, my advice to all girls and women, including me, is to go ahead and live boldly and loudly, laugh a lot and freely create, speak, express and be.
Contact Info:
- Email: joy@realtorjoyharrell.com, hello@thesiftsisters.com
- Website: https://realtorjoyharrell.com/, https://thesiftsisters.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyrunsrealestate/, https://www.instagram.com/thesiftsisters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyrunsrealestate, https://www.facebook.com/thesiftsisters
Image Credits
RM Photography by CJ Martin (the 1st photo in black suit (with jacket), gold ottoman and dark shoes only)
