Meet Joy: From Banking Professional to Interior Designer & Entrepreneur

Joy is one of those rare people whose name truly matches her personality—you can’t help but wonder, How did her parents know? Her joy and passion for her work are contagious. Though she officially became an interior designer in 2023 (after 20 years in banking), she’s been one at heart for as long as she can remember.

Name: Joy

Occupation: Interior Designer and Entrepreneur

From Banking to Interior Design

Joy spent 20 years working in banking. Though she was good at it, she wasn’t passionate about it. And it was becoming increasingly hard to manage caring for her three boys while working in banking. In 2023, she decided something had to give, so she left her banking career. Her friends encouraged her to go into interior design—something she had been passionate about since she was seven years old, building fully furnished dollhouses out of cardboard boxes. And she was always the one friends came to for design advice.

An Mid-Career Internship

Joy has always had a natural talent for interior design. She also learned a lot by constantly watching design shows. In fact, she recalls that the only reason she got cable back in the ’90s—before streaming, YouTube, and TikTok—was to watch HGTV. But she didn’t have formal training, so she decided to create her own internship. She reached out to an interior designer she knew through volunteer work and asked if she could intern for her. And she said yes. Joy gained invaluable on-the-job training—the kind you just can’t get in a classroom or textbook. In fact, she started working on her very first day of the internship.

On her own

In August of 2023, six months after starting her internship, she launched her own company, Ivy Joy Interiors. And she’s had a steady stream of clients ever since, with some as far away as Rhode Island and Florida. She also has a team that helps her with non-design tasks: a photographer, videographer, web designer, and social media manager.

What She Loves About Her Job

Joy loves practically everything about her job. But her favorite? The reveal—the moment clients walk into their newly designed space for the first time. “The look on their faces, the appreciation, the emotion—it’s everything,” she says. For her, design isn’t just about furniture or color schemes. It’s about creating spaces where people feel peace, beauty, and joy.

Biggest Challenge

Biggest challenge? This question stumped her. It took a moment for her to think of a challenge. Rather than viewing challenges as obstacles, Joy sees them as invitations to do more. When clients are indecisive or need help visualizing a space, she doesn’t get frustrated—she gets creative. She often brings her own inventory to help clients “live with” potential pieces before committing. “It just means more work to do,” she says with a smile, “and I love the work.”

Typical Day/Week

Joy’s weekly routine is structured yet flexible. Mondays are for site visits or virtual client calls. Tuesdays she shops for items, often finding treasures on Facebook Marketplace. Wednesdays are inventory days, and Thursdays serve as a catch-all for unfinished tasks. Fridays are for admin and strategy—connecting with her social media manager and planning for the week ahead. With four projects going at once, no two weeks are the same.

Advice to Other Black Women

“Have the courage to step beyond your fears,” Joy says. “If there’s something that keeps you up at night, something you’re constantly watching or reading about—that’s your sign. Go toward it.” She encourages Black women to explore what comes naturally and not be afraid to ask for mentorship or take nontraditional paths.

Future Goals

Joy dreams of having her own office space—maybe above a coffee shop in a quaint downtown. She’s already bought the pink couch. She’s also passionate about mentoring young designers and hopes to welcome interns into her business one day. “This was meant for me,” she says. “It all just flowed.”

Fun Fact

Joy and her husband salsa dance—yes, competitively! Every Tuesday and Thursday night, they hit the dance floor for salsa, merengue, and more. It’s their way of staying connected and having fun.

You Can Find Joy:

🌐 Online: ivyjoyinteriors.com

📸 Instagram: @ivyjoyinteriors