Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Smith.
Hi Jillian, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado and after going to college in Idaho and graduating with a BS in Sociology, I promised myself I would never again live in a state that snows for half the year and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. I took full advantage of the housing crash and started investing in real estate. After living in North Carolina for five years, I had the opportunity to move to San Diego. Although living in paradise was nice, by then I had four kids and it was getting more and more expensive by the minute, which eventually lead us to buying a home in the metro Atlanta area in 2019. I filed for divorce in 2020 and quickly had to figure out a career where I could have a flexible schedule and still be able to provide for my four kids. July of that year, I took a real estate course and by September, I was a licensed Realtor. I have always had a love for real estate and a passion for helping people. Becoming a Realtor just seemed right.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting my own business has been one of the most difficult career paths to navigate. I have noticed even the most successful entrepreneur makes mistakes, including me. But to really succeed in the real estate industry, I needed to take risks and understand I will not be successful right from the get-go. It takes a long time to grow a business.
There are two struggles I have dealt with, one is a family, work, self-care, and social life balance. I feel like I can be good at two of those at a time while the other two suffer. The other struggle is moving to Georgia, not knowing a soul, and starting a real estate business where your “inner circle of friends and family” are your go-to clients. I had to start from scratch and really put myself out there. Along the way, I’ve met some amazing people. I have found in the real estate industry people want to see you succeed and are more than willing to help you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Jillian Smith Realty, I strive to demonstrate the highest level of integrity and commitment and to bring a little fun into every real estate transaction. My passion for real estate is apparent through my excellent communication skills and a warm and friendly approach. Beauty will only get you so far in this industry, the key to success is knowledge and I take pride in educating myself and asking for help or advice when needed.
Moving from across the country multiple times, I understand the struggles and stresses that come with relocating. It does not matter if you’re moving within the same city or from across the country, I am here to make this process go smoothly for everyone involved. Being an entrepreneur, I also love to help other entrepreneurs find a commercial property and see their vision and dreams come to life. I’ve been a stay at home mom, a working mom, a single mom, a pet owner, married, divorced, single, first-time home buyer and fourth-time home buyer. I understand we all have different needs for different times in our life. I am here to understand your needs and get you in the right home at the right time.
I also have a vast knowledge about investing in real estate. I love educating my clients in different ways they can invest, whether you want to fix and flip, start a rental portfolio, get into vacation rentals, or invest in commercial or land. I am here to help my clients make a profit through investing in real estate.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Don’t be afraid to ask. People who have been in the industry for years have been in your place and more often than not, they are willing to answer questions and show you the ropes. I have found a lot of my mentors on Instagram or LinkedIn. I have gone to networking events in and around Atlanta and crazy enough, I’ve had a lot of success networking within dating apps.
Contact Info:
- Email: jsmith@lanternrealestategroup.com
- Website: jilliansmithrealtor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillian.s.smith/
Image Credits
The ones with me in the blue long sleeve dress were taken by Cheyenne Crawford @cheyennecrawford.photo The one with me in a gray dress was taken by Jess Friedel @jess_friedel_photography
