We recently connected with Jonathan Limon and have shared our conversation below.
Jonathan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
This journey started for me back in 2017. I was focused on branding my music, JLimon Music. I realized I had to focus on my presentation and how I brand myself. I wanted to be taken more seriously and not release any mediocre work. I knew the image I wanted to present with my music and wanted to take the necessary steps needed to get there. I started getting better in my music production skills and wanted some great visuals to go along with my music. I have a family member who was working on their photography skills and we started working on some shoots for my music. I’d use these photos for my cover art and even just for promo at the time. This was when I first got introduced to the world of photography.
I decided to manage this myself and invested more of my time into photo editing. Being new to Adobe Photoshop had some learning curves, but I didn’t let it stop me from learning a new skill. I moved on to taking my own photography after some time, using my iPhone camera and Photoshop to create my work. It was good for the meantime. I then decided to take a break so that I can focus on completing school at ASU in Tempe, which I completed in 2022. I wanted to go back to music how I was before, but felt I needed to make a stronger comeback with how I present myself. I had a vision and wanted to act on it. I debated on getting a camera for a while and after extensive research, I finally decided to invest some money into my first camera, a Canon m50. This led me to explore my photography skills and capture great images. I fell in love with my camera and felt a new power in my hands. I had all the creative control I needed to portray the visuals I wanted.
For 2023, I hyper focused on becoming an expert with my camera. It was like a new obsession to me. I found myself investing my spare time watching youtube tutorials, reading books, audibles, and researching articles on different techniques that could build my skill set. I also began buying tools for my cameras, such as additional lenses, filters, tripods, all that good stuff. I made it a habit to take my camera wherever I’d go and try to capture some good shots. I became fluent with my shots and focused on the next phase with my work. I created a workflow for my shoots, visualizing an idea, creating the shots, pushing through Lightroom, and exporting to my folders. This inspired me to open up my talent and make it available to others. Other people who have a dream and a vision, but not the tools or skills needed to do so. I want to help others bring their creative ideas to life.
Jonathan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Jonathan, but I DBA as Limon. I am a creative artist and have been for over 15 years, since my high school days. I’ve had several creative outlets throughout the years, ranging from graffiti, art, dance, music, and recently photography. I’m a hip hop enthusiast, and have a passion for music regardless of genre. I’m also an entrepreneur, branching out into several industries that have made me self employed throughout the years. I specialize in photography and real estate.
I got into real estate about 5 years ago. Operating under the name; Jlimon Realty – brokered by JMG Real Estate. I’ve worked with real estate sales, new home builds, and inside sales for a real estate company. Currently, I’m working as an agent, assisting clients who are looking to make their first home purchase, buy investment property, or even looking to sell their current home. I specialize with first time buyers and minorities. I speak Spanish and have a passion for helping Latinos who may struggle to find a trusted realtor that speaks their language.
I am also in the photography industry. DBA as JLimon Visualz, I provide photo services for families and clients. My objective with photography is to assist small businesses in building up their brand by bringing their visuals to life. I want to help those looking to put themselves out there in the world and bring attention to their brands. I also love to provide a great photo service to families or individuals who are simply looking for new family portraits. Whatever the occasion may be that you need a trusted photographer on your side, I’m your guy!
Some of the biggest obstacles I’ve come across with clients, whether it’s with photography or real estate, is where to start. I had no idea how to bring my ideas to life and struggled for years in creating great photos for myself and my music. I like making people aware of the process and working with them on creating their ideas, even giving my input on what can make their shots better.
When it comes to real estate, I knew nothing about the process. I was trying to purchase my first home and had a bad experience with an agent. I was working with somebody who was presenting homes to me and when it came down to wanting to make an offer on a home, he let me know it was a 45-60 day process before I can even legally own the home. I was 10 days away from needing to move out of my apartment. I felt I wasn’t informed properly of the home buying process and want to change that for others. I know for many, they have no clue as to where to begin and having someone on your side to walk you through the process is of high importance. I provide my clients with knowledge of the market, knowledge of the process, and make them aware of what to expect during one of the biggest purchases of their lives.
Nothing matters more to me than making sure I’m doing the best in my ability to provide a great service, no matter the industry or type of work I’m doing.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I first broke into the real estate industry as an agent, I had no prior experience to help me prepare for the journey I was about to embark on. I had no sales skills, no creativity in defining my work, and a lack of support. You can say I was winging my career. At the same time, I was having personal troubles. I lost my car, my finances were not where they were supposed to be. Somehow, I managed to get my first listing through the process but was unsuccessful in selling their home. My real estate team had dropped me, I was devastated. It felt like I couldn’t catch a break. Instead of giving up on my dreams and calling it quits, I felt I had to steer my direction to get me where I wanted to be.
This caused me to switch over to new home sales, it was such a different environment and role I had to play. I had so much more to learn on top of that. Overtime, I became knowledgeable in speaking to clients, walking them through model homes, and providing all the information I could about their future dream home. This led me to helping families find their dream homes here and built my career up more. After the community I was working in sold out, I had to figure out my situation again and moved onto inside sales for a real estate company. I now am helping families as an agent here in the Phoenix valley to find their dream homes. It’s not an easy process to be constantly rejected, but I take it with ease now. The discipline and accountability is what I thank for keeping me thriving in this industry. I plan to keep that same endurance in my other business ventures as well.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
There are several things that people misunderstand about me. As a creative of my own entities, I feel people misunderstand the type of work I do. What I get asked frequently is “What are you trying to accomplish? Why don’t you focus on one thing and stick to it?”. Simply put, I’m a man of many faces. Music, Photography, and real estate sales are my creative outlets. Creative sales is actually a thing, and lines up with the type of person I am. In times of hardships throughout my career, I often would doubt or question myself on who I am and what I represent. I know what I’m about and what value I bring to the table. Whether somebody understands me or not, I know who I am and what I’m capable of. If others can’t seem to understand that about me, then they are maybe speaking to the wrong person to assist them with their goals. Creative thinking is a skill of mine that I’ve always had. I’m not the first or the last person to represent several roles in separate industries. Nobody ever said talent is restricted to one thing and one thing only. If you’re good at something or several things, go for it! You can’t please everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jlimonvisualz.myportfolio.com/homelanding
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlimonmusic/?ltclid=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlimonaz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-limon-0ba67b184
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTv5hlCIY_WTKZkVv_8kJ2Q
- Other: For My Real Estate http://jlimonrealty.com
Image Credits
JLimon Visuals