Joan Barton: I’m Not Jewish…I’m Lutheran
In Episode 10, LA-based musician-turned-contractor Joan Barton tells us some fascinating stories about her uniquely liberal upbringing, and how her entrepreneurial, free spirit is weaved throughout her family tree (her grandmother was the first woman to wear pants at the Ritz!). She also talks about how she discovered her true Jewish heritage in her 30s, and married one of her employees (shhh...). One of story in particular really stands out: Joan's Dad and his experiences with the Civil Rights Movement, and the bonds of friendship that proved to be life-saving. This emotional story opened Joan's eyes to the racial inequality and prejudice in the US, which drove her to be the person that she is today. And for those listeners in New England...it's pronounced Joan "Baaaahtn", obv.
Joan Barton
Musician/Entrepreneur
Joan Barton is a general contractor based in Los Angeles. She grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, and studied at the DeCordova Museum School, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, Parson's The New School of Design, and Berklee College of Music. After spending a number of years in music as a songwriter/composer for TV commercials, Joan made a surprising career change by starting her own construction company, Dirty Girl Construction. Never one to think small, in 2008, she began building incredible homes for some super high-profile clients in the LA area. And in 2020, (just in time for the pandemic), Joan quietly began a new company - Shespoke Studio - to further extend the design and consulting arm of her ever growing empire.
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