I struggled with my own self-worth for a long time. Being a mother with no career made me feel directionless. In a strange turn of events, I discovered that my story was worth telling. But I was still searching for a career that would bring more value to those around me.

I cried for two days straight after my first child was born. I knew much of that was hormonal, but there were a lot of mixed-up emotions during that time. My daughter was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. It was just the beginning of a long journey for her. One that required four surgeries, all while she was still a baby. I was only 21 myself.

I wasn’t sad for myself. I was worried for her. I had no idea before then that I could feel the love that I felt for my daughter. It was beyond anything I had ever experienced before. I wanted her journey to be a wonderful one.

It was part of a journey for me as well. Even after my daughter had been treated. Ever since I was young, I had struggled with a feeling of worthiness. I was never enough. When I was a kid, I was dubbed the quiet one, but it was a learned behavior. Whenever I spoke up, others seemed to talk over me. I felt like I was being told that my opinion didn’t hold much weight. I began to keep my thoughts to myself.

After the second child was when I really felt I lost my sense of self. I didn’t have a career, though I desperately wanted one. To top it all off, my husband and I were struggling financially. I couldn’t simply take any old job, especially with kids to look after. In the end, our house was foreclosed on.

We had 10 different residences over the course of 10 years. After all that upheaval, something had to change. My husband and I began to build a business together. We surrounded ourselves with warm, supportive people. These were people who saw us as an inspiration! I realized they did want to hear what I had to say! We even spoke on stage to large groups, telling lessons we had learned on our path to success. A little bit of that unworthy feeling burned away.

While I loved this newfound worth, I still felt that maybe there was something else I could be doing. But what? I loved working for myself and couldn’t picture a 9-5 office job. But things were okay for now.

Unfortunately, just as things were at their rosiest, we were in a car accident on the way to a convention where we were speaking. We had to slow our lives down out of necessity. We couldn’t continue our rigorous schedule of traveling to places to speak.

It would have been easy to fall back into that dark place. In a way, I’d lost my career. I could have easily sunk back into that feeling of unworthiness. But I had a taste of something better. I didn’t want to go back!

It was during this time that I turned my attention to real estate. I had the opportunity to focus on the industry in a way I hadn’t before. When I did that, I discovered that real estate was that thing I’d been missing. It was that career I had wanted back when I was speaking on behalf of the business. I was confident now. I found my worth through my role as a real estate agent.

I could have looked at the car accident as the thing that ruined my old life. Instead, I decided to see what opportunities it gave me. I believe everything happens for a reason. This job is all about providing a powerful service. I'm committed to delivering that to each of my clients.

I never want to be an agent that does a passable job. I want to be the agent that people remember for going above and beyond their expectations. When I was a server, I found out some of my fellow employees would be frustrated by the extra care I’d take. They worried my exceptional service would be considered the default and mean more work for everyone. I just thought I was doing the right thing.

In my current role, I get to share my positivity and joy with others. I build relationships with them by having open communication and showing compassion. It’s incredible how many of my clients have become friends.

I relate with the struggles of the buyers and sellers I work with, mothers especially. I know what it’s like to lose a house. I know what it feels like to become a homeowner again after that. I want to be a resource regardless of what side of the process my client is on. I hope I have the opportunity to provide that for you!

Sincerely,

Jena Gable
REALTOR®