We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Reggie Jennings a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Reggie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Coming to Texas was a HUGE risk. I was 26 years old, no health insurance with a dollar and a dream in my hand. I turned down a 2nd round interview at a University in the midwest to come and be an intern for a premier institution in the DFW metroplex. I had to stay with my friend and his family for about 2-3 weeks as my apartment was getting ready. I’ll never forget. Mattress pad on the floor, in the front room of the house living out of two suitcases. I didn’t think about it much because I was grateful that they opened their home to me and that I had a place to lay my head every night. I finally got into my studio apartment and progressed my way from being an intern to having a full time job, getting health insurance as a professional for the first time ever. I continued to build and grow in the community and at my job. I started the MBA program at my institution 8 months into my full time role and never looked back. Getting my MBA was one of the best decisions I made and it changed my perspective on work, business and certain facets of life. As a result of me taking a risk back in the summer of 2018, from sleeping on a mattress in my friends parents from room, to scraping pennies together month after month, I now am a MBA graduate from one of the top MBA programs in the country, a Financial Analyst, a Realtor, and not sleeping in my friends, parents front room lol. Times like that keep me humble as I often remember that while I may feel I had it “bad” someone had it 1000x worst than me. I’m grateful for that experience and those who helped me along the way!

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.

My journey has not been linear but I currently am in the field of real estate. Serving as a Financial Analyst for a woman-owned real estate development company and I am a Realtor for the Top Independent brokerage in North Texas. I would say that I didn’t intentionally get into this field. I have a background in higher education and college athletics. My former goal was to be an Athletic Director at a Power 5 institution or a GM/President of an NFL organization. (I still have goals to be an owner of a NFL team!) However, after getting my MBA, my mindset shifted as far as business, career opportunities and what I wanted my life to look like.

My services from a Realtor standpoint is simply enhancing the real estate experience of individuals, families, investors, etc. As a Realtor, I help people buy, sell, lease, or invest in residential properties of all sorts. A a Financial Analyst for a development company I run numbers in financial models but also help with other aspects of the development process.

What I am most proud of is the opportunities I get to help people. Life is short and my goal every day is to make someone either smile or laugh. Whether that is by helping them with a real estate transaction or by simply being friendly. That is something I am proud to do every single day.

What I want the world to know about me and what I do is that they will get first class treatment from start to finish and beyond the finish. I pride myself in treating everyone with the utmost respect and care because they deserve it.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

A tough avenue to follow for some in today’s society, BE YOU! Being myself and not trying to imitate or portray myself to be anyone else but who I am has served me well. We see other people’s success on the media and think that is our ticket to success and that is the furthest thing from the truth. Finding your own niche is key. Remember, we all have different finger prints, God made you specifically for a reason. Be you because everyone else is taken!

Second, social media. Fortunately, unfortunately, the human race has a need of having things as quickly and efficiently as possible. So the best way to reach most of them is via social media and creating avenues from that that make them being my client most convenient. Efficiency and convenience is a key selling point with any type of business you may have. If you can reduce stress and thinking for the client they are more willing to engage and, depending on the product or business, pay for your services!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I have 2 jobs for a reason lol! I leverage my 9-5 which turns into a 7-7 some days to help fund my business. In the same manner, I am putting monies to the side to help enhance my start up capital for when I officially launch my LLC and get some additional ventures going. The name of the game also is taking care of your personal finances VERY WELL. What I mean is if you have credit cards, being a GREAT steward over that, having a healthy savings and emergency fund account. I personally have an account that is strictly for my bills (rent, gas, food, car insurance, etc.).

I do that so when it’s time to start my LLC and they have to leverage my personal financial background to see if I’m lendable they will be more willing to do so because of my track record.

Moral of the story: Don’t quick your day job until you have 6+ months (depending on your goals) in reserves, be a GREAT steward of your finances, this will make you lendable when you go to the bank and need additional funds to fund your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/reggiejennings_/?hl=en
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reggiej_realestate/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reggiejennings32/