Being a private detective might sound glamorous but, as Brianne Joseph says, it’s nothing like in the movies: “Charlie’s Angels are not pulling out mayonnaise jars when nature calls.” A licensed private investigator for the past 15 years, Joseph is now head of her own operation, Sly Fox Investigations, one of the most sought-after agencies in Louisiana. She has featured on VH1’s Caught in the Act: Unfaithful, and runs a mentorship program, working to bring more women into the industry. “We’re just natural fact finders, whether you’re a PI or not,” Joseph says. “When a woman is on a mission—honey, watch out!”

Elle Hunt: How did you get into this line of work? 

Brianne Joseph: I really just fell into it. My cousin worked at a detective agency. One day, while I was waiting to take her to lunch, her boss was trying to get information out of someone over the phone. I said, jokingly, “Let me try,” and sure enough, they gave it to me. I wanted to learn more and asked the detective to teach me. Eventually he agreed to let me be his apprentice.

EH: How challenging is it?