Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Baynes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jasmine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It started 10 years ago at the age of 17 when I had my son, I was so determined to achieve greatness. I can remember being pregnant with my son and strangers would tell me how I ruined my life and would be nothing because of my son. I took that negativity as motivation to keep going, I went to Robert Morris University in Downtown Chicago where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Business but then I hit a wall when I graduated, we were in the middle of a recession and I couldn’t find a decent job.
So I started bartending, that was great in the beginning but then I moved to the City where the cost of living was much higher and I could barely make ends meet. I was a single mom and bartending for a living at the time I remember one day telling myself I needed more out of life and finally decided to put my degree in business to use. So at the age of 23, I went to take a Real Estate class with the help of a friend who paid for the class for me since I really didn’t have the money myself.
After I completed I started with Coldwell Banker in Hyde Park, it was a great start for me. I was the Rookie of the year my first year, and 2 top sales person the 2nd year. I started off great. I moved from Coldwell Banker to Real Living City Residential in 2016, I felt I was able to get more of a one on one training from some of Chicago’s top agents because of the smaller office setting. Boy was I right, my sales increased in 2017, one of my best years in real estate yet and with the momentum going into 2018 I have a feeling that will be an even better year.
In 2016 I decided to invest in real estate and purchased my first investment property a 4 unit building on the City’s Southside. It was one of my greatest achievements to date because now I not only can help others secure wealth through purchasing real estate, I can actually show that I am practicing what I preach.
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?
Some of my struggles was simply defying the odds of simply being a teen parent. I was determined to not let that define me but grow me as an individual. Yes, I have made many mistakes along the way that I would not have had to had I not had a child. But I believe my son is who keeps me going and striving for more. What I have been able to provide him is more opportunities than I had at his age.
Also, the peaks and valleys of being an entrepreneur is not easy especially when you have to weather the storm with a child to worry about feeding. A hurdle I had to overcome was simply learning to manage my money, and budget for the times when I may not have a closing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jasmine Baynes, Real Estate Broker with Real Living City Residential – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I primarily work with investors, I would say 80% of my clientele is an investor, I have clients who are new investors as well as seasoned investors. What sets me apart from many others is I also have my own investment property so when working with investors especially new investors I can speak from experience on what worked well for me and what didn’t.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future aside from becoming the best realtor in the City of Chicago would be to work with teen moms to motivate them to keep going. Speaking from a place of experience I want to be an inspiration to others that it is possible to be successful and a great parent if you just don’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Address: 801 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL
- Website: https://www.realliving.com/jasmine.baynes
- Phone: 7089120775
- Email: jasmineb@rlcityres.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtorjasmine_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jasminebaynesrealtor/
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