Rising Stars: Meet Janelle Douglas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Douglas. 

Hi Janelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, to be honest, I have always dreamt of being an entrepreneur. Some would even say it’s in my blood. My grandfather was an entrepreneur. Several of his children, including my father, created businesses. So now, I, my siblings, and cousins are keeping the legacy going. 

I’m originally from Memphis, Tennessee. I moved to middle Tennessee to attend college, earning a BA in English from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville and a Master’s degree in Public Service Management from Cumberland University in Lebanon. 

I started in real estate after working nearly a decade for a statewide nonprofit. I left my position because I felt like I hit the glass ceiling. I wanted a career where I could truly embody my personal motto of “Dream big and go get It.” The transition itself was very natural for me. My father was a builder and my husband is a general contractor, so you can say, I’ve been around real estate my entire life. 

I also chose real estate so I could continue to fulfill my purpose of helping others accomplish their dreams. What greater dream than homeownership, right? But to take It one step further, I want to help people understand the full realm of real estate and use It as avenue to create financial stability and generational wealth. Because of this, I devote a great deal of time coaching individuals into real estate investors through an initiative I created called, Millennial Money. 

I chose to affiliate with Arbitrage Brokers because It is a woman-owned and minority-owned firm. In a field that is overly saturated and with not a lot of black and brown faces, it is great to be in an environment where the people look like me and we are all rooting for each other to succeed. It’s collaboration over competition and I love It. 

In addition to real estate, I am a designer. I specialize in renovations as I love to breathe new life in old spaces. I guess that’s a nod to my construction roots. 

I believe heavily in bringing up the next generation. I created and currently operate eMpowerment Inc., a youth development organization that serves southeast Nashville middle and high school students, whose mission is to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to make positive life choices. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely been anything but a smooth road. Transitioning from a 9-5 to business owner is not for the faint at heart. I have always been an overachiever. I pride myself on my accomplishments. However, becoming an entrepreneur was the biggest challenge I faced. At times, it felt like no matter how hard I worked, I was not hitting the numbers I wanted. There were many early mornings, late nights, and months with no checks. So, for me, the mental struggles were the hardest part. 

However, one day something clicked. Instead of focusing on the funds, I truly zeroed in on my purpose and my reasons for making the career switch. I wanted to help people. God blessed us with a daughter and I wanted to be present for her. I got very intentional with my time and my faith. If I was truly doing what God designed for me with genuine intentions, he would provide. After that mindset shift, I never looked back. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The biggest thing that sets me apart as a realtor is that my business is based on goal-setting. I am focused on each client as an individual. It’s almost like a coaching session. I don’t just start with the normal what’s your budget, must-haves, and wants questions. I want to know what your goals are, current and future so I can illustrate how you can use real estate to accomplish those goals. Real estate is an investment and it’s my job to provide all of the education I can so you can make an informed decision on what’s best for you and your family (current or future). 

With me, you don’t just get a realtor. You get a person who truly wants to see and help you succeed. It is my purpose. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
That’s easy. I’m a problem solver. Everyone goes through things in life. We face challenges, roadblocks, and obstacles. We even face situations when life simply knocks us off our feet. But I never believe in defeat, I simply embrace the detour. Things may not go exactly as planned but nothing is ever a no. It can be a “not right now” or “not like this” but there is always a way. The key is to acknowledge the issue, build your team, make a plan and execute. But no is simply not an option 

Contact Info:

• Email: janelledouglasrealestate@gmail.com
• Website: www.jdhomesweethome.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jdhomesweethome
• Facebook: facebook.com/jdhomesweethome

Image Credits
Marsh Productions
DeShea Photography