How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year
What is your Instagram handle?
peaceloveart78 (personal) + joellerealestateadvisor (real estate)
What is your LinkedIn URL?
http://linkedin.com/in/joelle-tomb-70b5b9
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
No, I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and immigrated to Montreal. I moved to Boston in 2007 after getting married. I’ve lived in various parts of the world, including Mexico City and Dubai.
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
As an entrepreneur, I follow what makes my heart happy. I have a background in hospitality and language education and served as an adjunct French teacher in various higher-ed institutions until I decided to become an entrepreneur. With our partners, my husband and I started Central Cafe & Restaurant in Newton until COVID hit — at which point we rebranded our concept into a sushi restaurant, SUSHICO, opening next month.
On the real estate front, I joined Engel & Völkers as a real estate advisor, a global premium real estate firm. I’m also in the process of opening an art gallery in Newton. I wear many hats, but all boil down to nurturing human relationships. I’m fluent in French, English, and Arabic, and understand cultural diversity first-hand.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
Kind, persistent, visionary, helpful, caring.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Patience & Persistence.
What is your favorite book?
Wild by Cheryl Strayed.
What is your secret weapon? (An app, tool, or method—personal or professional)
Keep moving along.
What is your most recent win? How are you slaying it in your career or business?
I have so many to share. As a mother of three boys, I juggle many tasks, including homeschooling during this strange time. When my kids are happy, healthy, and fed—that’s a win for me.
We’re also very excited to bring SUSHICO to people. I’m proud that we secured a gallery space in the center of Newton and can support two Boston artists in their endeavors. I also serve as the Vice President of the Board at the New Art Center in Newton.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I actually wrote something in 2017:
If you thought you were at the top of the world in your twenties because you went to the most hip parties, had a brand new car, wore the most fashionable jeans and a Chanel purse with no money in it — think again. Your roller-coaster life is about to begin.
In life you will meet people who will take up a lot of space and then somehow disappear. You will wonder, what have I done wrong? Know that, more often than not, it has absolutely no connection to you. You are not to blame; time will reveal the truth about those people.
When you find yourself in the middle of a love triangle — between the boy from home and the tall, dark stranger with blue eyes you met dancing one night — realize that in the end, it’s not going to matter. You’ll lose both, and both will vanish from your life forever.
You will then meet Love, and that love will overtake all your memories about love.
This girl you first saw at the reception of the hotel you worked at — don’t ignore her, even if she seems lost and frivolous. She will turn out to be your most loyal friend, your ally, the one who covers your boyfriend’s sleepovers, shows you how to insert your first tampon, and teaches you how to fake-drink a tequila shot. These tricks will serve you well one day.
I cannot stress enough the importance of travel. Now is the time — don’t fuss so much about career and work experience. Experience the world instead. Interact with people, listen to their stories with no judgment and an open heart. You’ll learn lessons you could never discover otherwise.
Time is so valuable. Savor the quiet, immerse yourself, taste every minute of freedom. Meditate, take care of yourself, love. Later, love will prevail but time will no longer belong entirely to you.
When you argue with your mother because she’s too much into your business, blink — and you’ll see her dark long hair twirled around the toes of your baby while she watches and you sleep.
Dear 20-year-old lady, in the end, do not listen to me — I know you won’t anyway. Experience your own life the way you want to. But preserve this one takeaway: Self-Reflection.
How do you enjoy your free time?
My children, cooking for family, running, tennis, yoga, and travel.