At the age of 14 Jo worked as a shorthand secretary for The Solicitors Law Stationery Soc. Ltd in London.

She then worked for Olivier Derberiou a wine merchants at 110 Cannon Street London.

in 1947 she worked for Diamantis Pateras Ltd. a Greek Shipping company.

She would travel by train from Benfleet Essex with her friend Kay Hefford (Bartle). Kay would later introduce Jo to her brother Jack, whom she eventually married.