Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Conrad.
Jessica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Have you ever worked at a company for so long that you couldn’t wait for the day to be over even though it hadn’t started yet? That was me before I got started in Real Estate. I spent ten years working as a Customer Operations Coordinator for a Pool Cleaner Manufacturing company (exciting right?). I started when I was 18 years old and even though I strived to climb the ladder year after year, it just didn’t seem like I would ever make it to the top.
I was venting to a friend one day after work, who has been a realtor for the last ten years, about how I couldn’t stand working in the corporate world anymore and I needed to find something else to do. She then proceeded to ask if I wanted to join her team as a Real Estate Agent. I thought about it for a couple of weeks and then I decided to go for it. It took me about eight months to get my license as I was still working full time and had a mortgage to pay, but as soon as I got my license, I finally quit my corporate job and I never felt better!
After the first year in real estate, I decided that being on a team wasn’t going to work for me. I decided to break away and go off on my own and that’s when I started Jessica Conrad Realty. A friend of mine, who was also on the team I was on, left the team as well, and in time we ended up becoming real estate partners.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
What people don’t tell you when you get into Real Estate is that it’s really hard when you get started. The first year I maybe had 2-3 homes sold. I had a lump sum of money saved up to support myself during the first year and that ran out quickly, as you pay for everything since it’s your own business that you are running. Debt started to accumulate and I wasn’t sure how, when and where I was going to find my next client. I chose to leave the team after that first year, as I felt I was struggling more than I was learning. The second year, when I was on my own, it got better but was still very rough not knowing when your next paycheck would come and your staring at bills that need to be paid; it can be a very stressful roller coaster of emotions when your struggling between “I can do this” and “what if I can’t do this.” I started taking classes that my brokerage offered and well as many others that taught me the processes of running a successful real estate business and how to market effectively.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My business is to guide my clients through a real estate transaction with ease, whether they are buying their dream home or selling one. My business partner Joanna Bigelow and I are happily known for our high-end service. We are a full-service team. We will walk you through every step. We are available 24/7 to address any needs or questions, we are educated and always do our homework on every property, we are both San Diego natives and know the area very very well. We also like to laugh a lot so it won’t be boring with us! We also don’t go away after the transaction is closed, either. If you have questions down the road, we are here whenever you need us!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I loved playing outside with all the neighborhood kids! We would play hide and seek, kick the can, we would roam around in the hills behind all of our houses where we lived, we walked to local food marts, and ding dong ditched on our way back. I also spent a lot of time with my family. My grandmother was born and raised in Mexico, so we spent a lot of time in Rosarito, where she had a home we all frequented. I was shy when I was young but grew out of it as I got older. I definitely have an old soul, and I started working when I was 15, I had a lot of drive to be independent, I saved my money and bought my first home at 21.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2776 Gateway Rd
Carlsbad CA 92009 - Website: www.jessicaconradrealty.com
- Phone: 760-500-5530
- Email: jessicaconradrealty@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalaurenconrad/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaConradRealty
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