We were lucky to catch up with Jade Coiley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jade, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My father is my hero. He survived a horrific childhood and in his 20’s became Boxing Middleweight Champion of New England. He then opened a boxing club (that is still thriving today) with the intention of getting kids off the streets and out of trouble. At 30 years old, single and a new MD resident, he was given sole custody of a badly abused 4 year old me. He worked harder than I’ve ever seen someone work throughout my school years, sometimes getting just a couple hours of sleep a night, to make sure we always had everything we needed. He worked tirelessly so we could live in a good school district, so I could play sports, and clarinet, join Girl Scouts, ballet, and theatre. He made sure I had healthy food to eat. He read me books before bed and put barrettes in my hair. We baked cookies every Christmas Eve and would deliver them to people in nursing homes on Christmas morning after I opened my presents. He taught me to ride a bike, tie my shoes, and how to defend myself. He encouraged me to wholeheartedly go after what I wanted, and told me I was capable and worthy of it all. He taught me the most important things in life were to work hard and be kind. He taught me to be my own hero. He always has and always will be the greatest man I’ve ever known. He could’ve let the pain and anger from his childhood take him down a path of lifelong destruction, but he chose to be an alchemist, and to the best of his ability use that pain for good. At every difficult point in my life, my Dad’s perseverance, his endless faith and hope, have been my North Star. I have overcome so many seemingly insurmountable challenges by reminding myself I AM my father’s daughter.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Since I can remember I have felt a pull to capture scenes in photographs that evoke emotion. I loved photography but thought it would never be more than just a hobby…until I was given the gift of cancer in my late 30’s. I wasn’t in a happy place in Life and knew I was capable of more, but it wasn’t until I was confronted with the possibility of losing my life, that I got serious about living. I was given another chance, a 6 inch scar, and a new love for Life. I started shooting family photoshoots and small weddings for friends. They started referring me to others, and within a year I was able to quit one of my 3 jobs. When I saw my clients get tears of joy in their eyes looking at the photos I took, I felt like I was putting some good into the world, and knew this is what I wanted my days to look and feel like going forward. One day I was given an unexpected half day from my full time job and as I was driving home got a call from a friend asking if I’d shoot her first real estate listing. I had never done that type of photography before, but decided to give it a shot, and fell in love with it also. I mustered enough confidence to start marketing myself, despite feeling like a minnow in a sea full of big fish. I worked 12-16 hour days carving out a place for myself in the industry and was eventually able to quit both other jobs. There were so many learning curves, tears, doubts, and fears, but with every challenge I reminded myself I wasn’t given another chance at Life to sleep on my dreams…so I worked harder. I was determined to make a name for myself in a saturated industry, and am proud to say 8 years later, through pandemics, crazy real estate markets, learning curves, and Life, my business is thriving today. I shoot mostly real estate now, and one of the reasons I believe I am still successful is because I truly care. I care, and people know when you do, or you don’t, care. Also, just like Maya Angelo once said, “people never forget the way you made them feel”. Selling your home is an upheaval that comes with lots of different emotions. I have always known instinctively what people need emotionally and am able to use that gift in my business. My job isn’t to just take pictures. My job is to put people at ease, to give them reassurance, to highlight the good, to make something stressful, a positive experience. When I leave and they’re smiling, I know I’ve fulfilled my purpose.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I am a professional beauty seeker. There is beauty in everything, and my job is to find it, capture it, and share it. Doesn’t get much sweeter, if you ask me!

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I remember the day after I shot my very first house, I looked up every realtor I could find, feigned the utmost confidence, and asked them to give me a shot. I offered my services for ridiculously low rates so they’d take a chance on me, with the hopes I’d win them over, and they’d become repeat clients. I had zero experience running a business, or shooting real estate. I sometimes felt like an imposter, like I didn’t have what it took, that at any time someone was going to pull back the curtain and reveal Oz’s true identity. But, I showed up and worked hard, and am grateful to say my business continues to grow, as do I.

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