Jeni Stewart

SELLING HOMES FROM THE HEART

By Jane K. Asher, Ph. D.

Photos by Jermaine Buie with Perfect Light, LLC Photos taken at Toll Brothers at Montcaret in Northville

Jeni Stewart is living proof that it’s never too late to rebuild your career and your life.

After spending 18 years at Electro-Matic in Farmington Hills where she started as a customer service representative and worked her way up to production floor supervisor, Jeni found herself barely getting by and felt an overwhelming need to generate more income for her family.

“I knew what I was capable of and wanted more for myself, so at the beginning of 2016, I began working in real estate part-time while also working at my day job,” Jeni said. “I started slow and ended up getting more and more business when I switched brokerages to Dwellings — I eventually had to make a decision because I couldn’t continue doing both, while also being a mom. I resigned from my day job of 18 years and haven’t looked back!”

Now engrossed in her fifth year in real estate, Jeni, associate broker at Dwellings by Rudy & Hall, has mobilized her love for helping others in a lucrative business that allows her to support herself and her 9-year-old daughter Lola. “I was able to show her it’s never too late to change your life,” she said.

Jeni’s drive for constant improvement and strong work ethic have led to a career volume of $13 million, $7.5 million of which she generated in 2019, but she admits that her success did not happen overnight. “It’s been stressful and taxing — and most days completely terrifying — yet, if you remain calm and focused and determined, it will happen,” she said. Jeni encourages up-and-coming agents to remain persistent and to listen to the advice of successful agents. “Their stories of situations that you will run into one day and knowledge about how to navigate the oddest of circumstances always come in handy,” Jeni said.

Jeni also advises real estate novices to learn how to farm their desired neighborhood — and to get creative about it. “People get tired of fliers and postcards — have some fun with it and give them something to make you stand out,” she said. “And always always always take downtime — even just 20 minutes — to recharge your batteries. You can say no, you can prioritize yourself and your needs, and you can still be amazing at this business while doing so.”

Right now, Jeni is focused on becoming a name that people recognize and trust, and she is passionate about staying on top of her workload, increasing her business and expanding her knowledge every day. “The most rewarding part of my business is every time I get a referral and hear what a past client has said about me — knowing not only did I help them but that they want me to help others as well,” she said. “I love what I do, and I love getting to constantly meet new people, help them, and hopefully be referred to their friends and family in the future. I plan quite simply to consistently grow my business and my empire for years to come.”

Jeni’s real estate career has not been without challenges, the greatest being time management. “We only have 24 hours in a day, and recently separating from my husband and finalizing our divorce means I am both working 60 to 80 hours a week and also being a single mom,” she said. “There’s a balance in there that I am still learning, but so far, it seems to be working.”

When Jeni isn’t working, she spends her time watching horror or comedy movies, reading a variety of books, playing board games, and going shopping and out to lunch with her daughter Lola. Jeni says that one of her favorite “girl dates” was when she took Lola and her friend in a limo to the Taylor Swift concert. “The looks on their faces were priceless!” Jeni said.

Jeni has also participated multiple times in the Komen 3-Day®, a 60-mile walk, to raise cancer awareness and to honor her father who is a cancer survivor and her friend who died of cancer at the age of 38. Jeni also supports other charities, including Toys for Tots and Adopt a Family, and every year around Christmas time, Jeni and Lola, who saves up some of her own money for the cause, donate to No Kid Hungry.

Jeni wants to be remembered for being kind, honest and compassionate. “I may be one of the more sensitive people in this industry because, while the money may be nice, the people — all of them — always matter the most; and I want to help everyone realize the dream of owning their own homes,” she said.

“I’m not perfect — I’m still learning every day and have my moments of complete stress and frustration, but I know I’m determined and that my heart is in this for all of the right reasons,” Jeni said. “I’m showing my daughter it’s okay to make mistakes, learn from them and improve because of them ... and to do it all with heart — always — because that’s what’s most important.”

Rising Star: Jeni Stewart