For 15 years, Joel Davis has been self-employed as a steel broker, making him one of the original work-from-home people. Before he even started out in the working world, he spent his childhood and teenage years in north Hammond. He attended high school locally, as he went to Clark High School before it closed permanently. Instead of attaining a college degree, having bounced around between a few, he got a lot of experience through on-the-job training, all of which led him to where he is today.
As Davis was coming out of high school, steel was the biggest industry in the Region. His father was even within it. In that way, his entry into the field was of a natural nature.
Steel is needed for the construction of everyday necessities like buildings and refrigerators. Davis knows this, and he’s made a livelihood out of ensuring that the necessary materials arrive wherever and whenever they’re supposed to, providing the best customer service. He’s been with suppliers such as BenzCoil, LLC, and ArcelorMittal. Challenging but great bosses have inspired a willingness to happily continue with what he does. Above everything else, however, it’s the people he interacts with when conducting business transactions that make all the difference regarding his favor for his vocation.
“Being able to engage with people is a joy. There’s more to what I do in that I sit down with the people I buy from or sell to. You find out about their lives, become acquaintances, and build relationships with people that way. That’s always been the best part of what I do,” he said.
Aside from the steel, Davis stays busy. He possesses two coaching jobs that he’s had for about 11 years now. His passion for what and whom he teaches—namely, some of the best track and cross country principles and strategies Morgan Township has ever seen—stems from this love he has for running. It’s something he’s kept up with his entire life.
“I run because it’s something that I love. It’s my life. People have their thing, and this is mine. Once I left and started working out of my house, I then had the opportunity to help coach track to younger kids who were in elementary and middle school, and I’ve been at it since,” he said.
Around 2016, Davis applied for the coaching position at the high-school level, which is where he’s been quite successful since. Last year, for instance, his team qualified for state. He takes on a relaxed approach to this leadership role. When he’s upset, he’ll take some time for himself to go off and think about it, then come back with adjustments he knows his runners can make. What’s more, he’s gotten many chances to understand the personalities of the kids on the teams he’s led, seeing firsthand their strengths and weaknesses.
During the thick of COVID-19’s tribulations, Central Christian Church in Valparaiso ran a food pantry. Around that time they didn’t really have the most robust resources, plethoras of people, or firm finances to strengthen the fluidity of its operations. Davis decided to step in, letting his wife and other supporters know that it needed to keep going. To him, God took over the process, and substantial portions and amounts of donations have since been dispersed.
With accolades galore, Davis impressively manages to maintain a healthy work-life balance. For starters, he and his lovely wife, without whom not much would be doable, both work from home. His career, though, is trumped by something else: the love he has for his family. Being a husband, father, and now a grandfather for a while—those are all super important.
Davis spends a lot of time fixing things. It is one of his hobbies. He and his family like to vacation, going to beaches in the winter, visiting states as far as Florida. This holiday season, he’ll be getting together to celebrate with loved ones.
Having resided in Valparaiso for more than 10 years, Davis has noticed the revitalization the city’s gone through. The memories are many, as well as the restaurants that have been popping up throughout the last few years. There’s no better place to be these days.
“Valpo is a safe city that has fun things to do. We love good food, and we like to go to the events going on in Central Park, like the summer concert series. It's a good area to live in,” he said.