Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Kirby.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2008–09 I thought I was living my best life. I was young and making good money. Then the recession hit and I lost my job. I eventually lost everything I worked hard for, and was forced to move back in with my mother. My credit score was a 400 and I felt as though I was truly at my lowest point. Losing my sense of direction, I had nowhere to turn in that moment but God himself. He revealed to me that troubles do not last always. One night I was asleep on my mother’s couch, crying telling God, “if you get me out of this; I promise I’ll never go back!” While I was in my dark place, the Holy Spirit showed me how to fix credit. I fixed my own and several other family members. I eventually ended up gaining not one, but two jobs and getting my own place within six months. Everything was seeming to be heading in the right direction and with that, I was grateful; but I was also empty.
In 2010, I remember finding myself in the same position of praying and asking God “What is my purpose and what career field should I go in to?” One morning I woke up about 4am; because the TV was extremely loud. Back then, in 2010, our local cable network would advertise houses on channel 2. I knew for a fact I had not turned to that channel before I went to bed. I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to look into real estate. That same week I started real estate classes at a local real estate company. I completed the ten week course and failed my state test. After that, I became discouraged and started working at a warehouse because I thought maybe that career was not for me. However, something inside of me has always gravitated towards real estate and has constantly stuck with me. I started watching television shows about selling houses just to ease my pain. I would imagine myself selling big beautiful homes often but would be forced to snap back to reality. Fast forward to 2013, I met a few agents at my church that were a part of a well-known brokerage and they talked me into getting my license. I re-enrolled in the required online classes, took the state exam again and passed it.Back then, being from Anniston, Alabama, seeing someone like myself, sell houses was a rarity considering the position of life I was in at the time. I was broke, my car was not the best and I was just trying to navigate through life and find my way. But, through God’s grace, I managed to get some buyers and sellers. I was doing well and I was even flipping ‘for sale by owner’ properties. Life was going up until I told the leadership at my brokerage I wanted to move to Atlanta. My friend who hired me turned her back on me and basically pushed me out of the business. I was so hurt and I vowed to never try real estate again. Trying to keep that promise to myself, I started working at Dillards Department Store as the Ralph Lauren Specialist and became very successful in the retail field. While I was there, I had the urge to get my degree; Even with that thought I was hesitant because I was 26 years old and was unsure how well that would work in my favor. I prayed about it, took a leap of faith and enrolled myself into my local community college. I already had college credits so I was able to get my associate’s degree in a year.
After I graduated with my associate’s, I started college at Auburn University. Auburn was one of the best experiences I have ever had. God really favored me. I went from watching Football and basketball on TV to being on the field and court as an intern. I always wanted to pledge and God opened doors for me to quit working my full-time job to pursue becoming a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha. That part of my journey is a testimony within itself that I will save for my book one day. After I graduated Auburn University, Magna Cum Laude in Communication and Business Administration, I started working for Verizon. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, I had a lot of time off to reflect. God placed it back on my heart to get back into real estate, despite the promise I had made to myself to never try again. I fought this so much because of the rejection I faced and the hurt I never wanted to see or feel again. But God, ended up winning that argument. He told me to teach people about credit and home ownership. Fast forward to present day and here we are. I am now not only a Realtor but also a Mortgage Loan Originator. My purpose in this life is to teach others about credit and home ownership through my YouTube channel and through monthly workshops. I also strive to change the percentage of African American home ownership to 75% or greater while sharing my testimony and inspiring others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My challenges in life were self-worth, anxiety and depression. All of these things are silent killers. The anxiety came from nowhere it was a struggle. Unfortunately, depression haunted me in my 20’s, causing me to contemplate suicide a few times. All the things that the devil loathes over. However, one thing is for sure, I am a woman of God and I trusted him enough to deliver me from those hard times and that is exactly what he had done. I put a lot of my self-worth in the guys I dated. That was a mistake which is why I became celibate. I knew it would weed out the undesirables. I know God will send my husband soon but right now, I am continuing to focus on my career and pursuing my purpose here on this earth.
We’ve been impressed with Jessie D. Realty Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I work for Good Faith Realty as an agent but my business is Jessie D Realty Inc. which specializes in financial literacy and home ownership. My goal is to guide my first time buyers on making a sound financial decision. We specialize in credit rand financial consulting and counseling. What sets us apart is we do not tell people we cannot help them as long as they have a full-time job. We know several creative ways to get financed and we develop a plan for each of our clients to get them to their goal. Staring in 2022 we will offer free credit repair workshops which will allow clients to come into the office and get help on fixing their credit for free. We will provide all the information they need. I am proud of my brand for getting in the community and seeing what is needed without overcharging.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people do not know I am a huge sports fan. I will argue you down about an Auburn game and I am a huge Lebron fan. They are probably also unaware that I own an online boutique called JALUXE.
Pricing:
- Private Financial Consulting $500
Contact Info:
- Email: Jessied@jessiedrealty.
com - Website: www.jessiedrealty.com
- Instagram: Jessiedrealtor
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/
jkirby50 - Twitter: @jessied1908
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/
JESSIEDRealty - Other: www.JALUXEinc.com
Image Credits
TEAPhotography
