I’m so excited to bring back my Monthly Muse series. For those of you who are new around here, Monthly Muse is a series where I illustrate and interview women who inspire me by going after their dreams. I’ve met so many amazing women through this series and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I’m kicking this year off with Jeanie Kang. I’ve known Jeanie from years ago when we were coworkers at Target. She was one of my first clients when I left to and started illustrating and has always been a cheerleader for me. Jeanie made the shift from Corporate Life to Real Estate a few years back and not only is she CRUSHING it, she’s having FUN. Read on to learn more about Jeanie.

Let's start at the beginning - what did you want to be when you grew up? Is that what you studied in school?

As early as high school, I felt a clear pull to pursue some type of marketing or advertising career. In undergrad, I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. I later went back to business school and completed a full time MBA with a concentration in marketing.

What was your first job? What did you like most about it?

My first real job out of college was at a travel & tourism company in Orlando, FL as a Product Manager. I loved working with various vendors, partners, and stakeholders to bring new products to market. My product line was Walt Disney World, so there were lots of fun events, perks, and discounts at the “Happiest Place on Earth” 😊

Can you tell us a bit about your career history?

I spent the first 20 years of my career working for firms ranging from internet start-ups to some of the biggest global brands in the world. There was typically a strong marketing under-current in my roles, but I also had the opportunity to delve into the world of consumer research, strategy, sustainability, and store operations. I would never trade the experience I had working for companies like Hewlett-Packard, Russell Athletic, Target Corporation, and The Coca-Cola Company, as the level of talent I worked with each day always kept me on my toes striving to improve myself and my work.

You’ve worked for some MAJOR brand companies - how did that impact your decision to go into real estate?

To be very honest, after working for several major brands over the course of 20+ years, I felt burnt out by the “grind” of giving the best of myself to companies that were never as loyal to me in return. Put another way, I wanted to be the captain of my own destiny, without the constant anxiety that a re-org or downsizing would completely turn my world upside down. At that point in my life (age 43), I had a healthy financial cushion (partly thanks to a recent corporate downsizing, funnily enough!), and a renewed mindset and resolve that I had the power to create the life and career I truly craved without being on the proverbial corporate hamster wheel. I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain—so I took the plunge!

What skills do you attribute to your success today?

At the core, I love meeting and working with all types of people. Everyone has a story, and being part of such a critical chapter in people’s lives, gives me a glimpse into their own unique story, and it fills my soul unlike any corporate job I had in the past!

I also pride myself on being relentlessly results-driven, a shark negotiator, and an empathetic and effective communicator, all to help my clients achieve their goals. I will always go the extra mile to ensure I provide unparalleled, exceptional service to all my clients.

What would you have done differently if you knew then what you know now?

If I knew how lucrative and fulfilling a career in real estate would be for me, I would have made the leap way sooner! (LOL) But I also know that the skills and experience I acquired during my time working in the corporate world gave me a level of resiliency, competence, maturity, and confidence that I believe really sets me apart from other agents who may not have a similar professional background.

What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?

When I first started in this new career, I thought the agents who had 20+ years of experience would surely have a leg up in terms of their ability, expertise, and success. I very quickly learned that agents who are new to the industry could actually be MORE successful, and MORE competent than their more seasoned colleagues. There is no formulaic “right way” to be incredibly successful in this business, with every agent carving their own unique path to accomplish their goals. I love that about this industry so much—the multitude of ways that agents build, nurture, and constantly evolve their business… this license to “you do you” was definitely not the credo of the big corporate employers I worked for in the past…and now I can’t imagine living my life any other way!!

What’s the best advice you ever received and what would you share with someone who is just starting out?

The best advice I ever got was to “kill them with kindness”. This business can get very contentious and adversarial especially when client emotions and agent egos add fuel to the fire. I’ve learned that by treating everyone by the Golden Rule, you can create a much smoother path to the closing table, which is the common goal that both sides want.

I love chatting with new agents or people who are considering making a career leap into real estate. The biggest piece of advice I give them is to treat this like a business! Deep dive into understanding all the methods, tools, and processes of being self-employed. (Get an accountant, set yourself up as an S-Corp, know what expenses are deductible, etc.) I would also tell them that there will be so much more you don’t know than you do know when you first start out….so bury yourself in education and constant learning. Find a great mentor to ask questions, attend all the speaker panels and training sessions…always be learning and absorbing! This will set you up for success when you start to become super busy with your own clients!

Rapid Fire

Describe your home style in 3 words : Girly, Glam, “Scandifornian”
Coffee or tea: Coffee
AM Warrior or Burn the Midnight Oil: Burn the Midnight Oil
Next place you're traveling to for fun: Las Vegas!
Go with the flow or Control Freak: Go with the flow, but trust no one 😊
Three qualities that got you where you are today : Hustle, Positivity, Drive

Thank you Jeanie for sharing your story. If you’re looking for help with a selling or buying a home in the future, I can highly recommend Jeanie. You can find her on the gram here or work website here.

Monthly Muse: Jeanie Kang, Realtor