Business coach, strategist, tech entrepreneur, dynamic speaker, and self-described introvert Joy M. Hutton ’04 says her social and cultural experiences at Bowdoin taught her to speak up, not shrink.
What drew you to your entrepreneurial work?
I will never forget my father telling me when I was about four years old that I was “not meant to work for the man.” I believe it was this moment that planted the seed for me to be an entrepreneur. I did not know what that path looked like, but I have always had a creative mind and an independent spirit. I always felt like I was being put in a box when I was working a traditional job. I also knew I wanted to impact people on a larger scale. Entrepreneurship has given me the freedom to build something from the ground up and on my own terms.
What do you find rewarding, exciting, or challenging about management consulting? How, if at all, does it dovetail with on the go GLAM?
Mentors have been crucial to my success throughout my career, and I have always been adamant about paying it forward. With jmh and co., my consultancy, what excites me most about my work is helping leaders and teams clarify their vision and aligning that with my keen sense for strategy. Every client is different, so there is never a dull moment. I’m constantly being challenged. I apply the same skillset to on the go GLAM, my beauty tech startup. Both ventures require agility, strong leadership, and understanding human behavior. People are the core of what I do.
Tell me about your experience on Ready to Love. How did it come about? What was it like, and was it something you came to value?
I have to say, it’s odd talking to my alma mater about a reality tv show I was on! Ready to Love was an unexpected chapter in my life. I never imagined I would go on a dating show. I’m a very private person. During the pandemic, a few casting directors reached out on Instagram, and after a lot of hesitation, I decided to go through the interview process and was chosen to participate. It was a vulnerable journey and at times uncomfortable, but ultimately it was freeing. Although I did not find love, I learned so much about myself—what I need, what I won’t tolerate, and how to remain authentic even under a spotlight. It was a risk, but one I don’t regret. The hardest part for me was my sister, Giana, unexpectedly passing while I was filming and then having to live through that in the public eye.
How did your career unfold?
I have had a very unconventional path. I started in the legal realm, shifted into nonprofit and education, then public policy, and eventually stepped fully into entrepreneurship. Every job taught me something valuable, even if it didn’t make sense at the time. But I always knew I wanted to make a larger impact. Launching a consulting firm was not my vision for entrepreneurship; I’ve actually wanted to start a wine bar for several years. However, I have an abundance of skills that I needed to put to use. I have no regrets about going down this career path; I have been able to work with so many leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs. My beauty tech startup, on the go GLAM, happened by mistake. I did not have a background in tech or beauty, but there was a need for bringing beauty on demand to consumers and I was the target audience. I wanted my makeup done at seven o’ clock in the morning for an event and everything was closed. I thought to myself, “I wish there were an app where I can book someone to do my makeup in my hotel room.” This is how on the go GLAM was born. I started with this vision and did not stop and have built a successful company and made sure to put people first. Through all of my experience, I’ve become the kind of leader I once looked for.
Are there ways that your academic or extracurricular work at Bowdoin has come into play in your life or career?
Absolutely. Bowdoin shaped my ability to think critically, write well, and ask hard questions. I do that every day in my role as a consultant, trainer, and coach. Outside the classroom, being part of multicultural organizations taught me how to navigate spaces where I wasn’t always the majority and how to create community where it didn’t exist. Those early lessons in leadership and self-advocacy have followed me throughout my career.
What brought you to Bowdoin?
Honestly? A campus visit. I had no idea Bowdoin existed until my college counselor told me about it. I always wanted to go to school on the East Coast, but never envisioned going to Maine! When I visited, I loved the small and intimate feel of the campus and I was greeted with such warmth and a strong sense of community from the admissions team. Something about Bowdoin felt grounded. It wasn’t just about prestige or rankings, it was about being in a place that would push me academically and nurture me as a person. I wanted to be somewhere that valued intellect and character equally. Bowdoin felt like that place. Not to mention, the campus was beautiful and the food was undeniably good.
What inspires you?
Women who own their truth unapologetically. Stories of reinvention. Seeing people bet on themselves and win. I’m especially inspired by those who’ve faced adversity and who are navigating systems that weren’t built for them.
Is there something about your work or life that others would find surprising?
People are often surprised to learn how much personal development is involved in being a founder. The work can’t grow if you don’t. Entrepreneurship has been as much of an inner journey as a professional one.
Is there something about YOU that others might find surprising?
I’m an introvert. People often see the public-facing side of what I do—coaching leaders, building companies, appearing on TV, but I need solitude to recharge. The truth is, entrepreneurship has forced me to confront every part of myself: my fears, my perfectionism, my capacity for rest. The real work is internal. Another fun fact: I used to sing in an a cappella group, Miscellania, while at Bowdoin. Music is still an outlet for me.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Wine tasting, reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling. I also enjoy spending time with my Yorkiepoo, GiGi.
Best Bowdoin memory or most-lasting lesson from your Bowdoin days?
One of the most powerful experiences I had at Bowdoin was performing in The Vagina Monologues. At the time, I didn’t realize how deeply it would affect me, but stepping on stage to give voice to stories of womanhood, pain, resilience, and joy was so transformative. The performance connected me to something bigger than myself.
It also taught me how powerful storytelling can be as a vehicle for healing and collective understanding. Looking back, it was more than a play, it planted the seed for how I show up today as a leader, founder, and advocate for women.
But the most lasting lesson? My voice matters, even in rooms where I may feel underestimated. Bowdoin taught me to speak up, not shrink. And trust me, I had more than my share of battles at Bowdoin that also made me who I am today.
This story first appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Bowdoin Magazine. Manage your subscription and see other stories from the magazine on the Bowdoin Magazine website.
