Geraldine James

UNCOVERING HER WORTH WHILE FOLLOWING HER PASSION

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jessica Laine Photography

Photos taken at Cranbrook Custom Homes — The Heights in Rochester

When Geraldine James set out to design the professional life she always wanted, she envisioned a career that would offer her financial independence and the freedom to spend more time with her husband and son. “My workdays were long, and I felt that I was missing out on big moments with my family,” she said. “It was a struggle asking for time off from my employers, so I decided to make a smart move and create a professional life that supported my dreams.”

After years of being a full-time leasing agent, Geraldine obtained her real estate license in 2016 and stepped into the field of real estate. She joined the group at Keller Williams Domain: Luxury Homes International and slowly began her transition. Her first step toward business independence was finding her confidence and her worth. “Initially, it was very challenging, trying to overcome my shyness,” she recalled. “I was uneasy talking to people and wanted to stay in my shell. Therefore, I had to get uncomfortable to discover my value. I had to realize that it was possible to fulfill my dream of helping people and grow a business.”

To overcome her introverted personality, Geraldine would talk to people in the grocery store and at restaurants — anything to ease her into a conversation. “I started holding open houses,

which forced me to talk to people. Once I started getting business that way, I could not stop the talking,” she said with a laugh.

Through her start-up process, Geraldine began to realize her goals were not impossible. “Becoming a business owner not only helped me achieve my objective of creating my own schedule and unlimited earning potential, but it also opened the doors to fully expressing my passion for helping others,” she explained. “Helping others is a natural part of who I am. Whether it’s educating my clients on the real estate process or providing a listening ear to their needs, I am always looking for ways to help others.”

Education is a passion point with Geraldine; therefore, her daily focus is to help as many families as she can during real estate transactions. “I want to make sure that I educate each and every client and make their real estate journey memorable,” she said.

Geraldine is a person who is kind, caring and generous — a person with a heart of gold. In fact, Geraldine was born with a hole in her heart and was told by doctors that she would struggle in school and never reach her full learning potential. “I believe at that moment, God gave me a second chance at life,” she recalled. “I am living proof that I can overcome obstacles and rise above challenges. I am here for a reason.”

Her belief in second chances fueled Geraldine throughout her life, especially when it came to taking brave and necessary steps into the real estate industry. Since launching her business four years ago, Geraldine has earned a KW Bronze award in 2018, a KW Bronze award for GCI in 2019 and a Double or Nothing award in 2019 when she doubled her numbers in one year.

As a native of Oak Park, Michigan, Geraldine had many influences in her life, including her mother who taught her to always do her best and know her worth. Her dad had a strong determination to be successful in life and demonstrated to Geraldine the importance of hard work. Her father-in-law introduced her to the idea of property management, which later began the gateway into real estate. From a business standpoint, Geraldine has found great inspiration from her aunt who chased after her own entrepreneurial dreams and now owns a daycare. “I’ve watched her work so hard at achieving her dreams and never giving up, no matter the obstacles,” Geraldine said.

HELPING OTHERS IS A NATURAL PART OF WHO I AM.

Of all her supporters, Geraldine said her husband, DeSean, has been her biggest champion in life. “My husband and I do everything together,” Geraldine said. “We have fun together no matter what — just relaxing and watching TV is a good time for us.” They love spending time with their 7-year-old son, Ryan, who is a whiz at video games. Additionally, they enjoy traveling, having BBQs and talking about future business plans. As a couple, Geraldine and DeSean hope to someday start their own business and invest in real estate properties.

Currently, Geraldine is attending the Michigan Institute of Real Estate to obtain her broker license with the hope to gain an even greater knowledge of the real estate business. “As a real estate agent, I plan to educate as many families as I can to empower them with the knowledge to make sound decisions on their next home purchase or sale,” she said. “This transfer of knowledge is my commitment to provide exceptional customer service to every client.”

According to Geraldine, receiving referrals and business from family is the most rewarding aspect of her work. “A referral says a lot. It’s knowing that at the end of the day, I helped change someone’s life for the better, and they shared that excitement with others,” she said.

Not surprisingly, Geraldine measures her success by the number of people she can help. “By keeping my focus on helping others, I have found my worth,” she shared. “Every day I remind myself why I am on this path, and it energizes me to become an even better person than I was yesterday.” There is no doubt that Geraldine is passionate about what she does, and it shows in her work.

Geraldine James - Rising Star