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Life and Work with Jennifer Balbina Sosa

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Balbina Sosa.

Jennifer Balbina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey started at 13 years of age. I owned a hair braiding business from my mother’s living room in Queens, New York. My mother, Balbina Luna, had taught me the value of hard work and never giving up, so it wasn’t a surprise that I worked all hours of the day, nights, and weekends. My talents were very known in my neighborhood, and nearby hair salons were always trying to recruit me. However, I loved working for myself! As a young entrepreneur, I also discovered a passion for negotiations and an appetite for travel.

During my last year of high school, I had a challenging decision. Like many high school seniors, I had to decide to attend college in-state or out-of-state. I had a school counselor by the name of Marianne De Silva that taught me an incredible attitude to have when making tough decisions, “feel the fear and do it anyway.” I chose the unknown. I wanted adventure and decided to move to the mountainous state of Colorado.

I attended the College of Hospitality Management at Johnson & Wales University. I met so many great people that I’m still friends with to this day. I also met an excellent mentor, Eloise Kelly. She taught me the power of presence and how the clothes we wear send powerful signals. Having attended such a highly respected hospitality school, it opened doors for me to work in many elite hotels, and that’s where my passion for service was born. I excelled in every position because of my customer-centric mindset. However, even though I had fun, I needed more of a challenge. I was hungry for a purpose bigger than myself. So that is why, after ten years of working in hotel operations, when presented with the opportunity to become a Hotel Broker, I excitingly accepted.

It’s been seven years working in commercial and residential real estate. Most of my business now stems from residential buyers and sellers. I feel that I have found what I was in search of all my life. I love everything about real estate! The contracts, negotiations, helping people, and the many facets of the real estate market. I’m also grateful for the many real estate advisors I have encountered throughout my career. However, one woman, in particular, changed my trajectory, Shelley Hodge. She taught me how to believe in myself and to trust my God-given gifts.

Twenty years have passed since my hair braiding business. I’m amazed that I’m still an entrepreneur, still negotiating, hospitality-focused, and still have a love for traveling. I like to think that I haven’t changed much since I was a teen. I just became more of who I already was. It did take a village to get me to where I am today, and I’m grateful for the amazing women that empowered, celebrated, and poured into me along my journey.

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?
Once I realized that everything that I needed to succeed is already within me, the journey became a lot smoother. Of course, I also had my share of struggles before I had this awareness. At the beginning of my real estate career, I had the drive to help everyone and anyone. I would always go above and beyond for my clients, but I soon realized that not everyone was deserving of my time and effort. Not everyone was a client, and I needed to distinguish early on who my ideal client would be. Trust is essential in every real estate transaction. Contracts are complicated, and sometimes people have to overcome hurdles. So, I made a conscious decision to work with people where there was mutual trust and respect. If my client didn’t value what I brought to the table, I realized that that was ok. I was just not the right real estate professional for that person.

Now, as I grow older and wiser, I learned that life is not happening to me, is happening through me. My advice to young women is, and I dare to say that the sooner you choose to take the journey within yourself, the faster you’ll be able to manifest the life and business you desire.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hospitality Real Estate – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m a residential and commercial Real Estate Professional that’s primary focus is to protect and advocate for my client’s interest while providing excellent customer service. My specialties are athletes, celebrities, buyers and listing specialist, downtown and country club properties, executive relocation, and residential investments.

Hospitality Real Estate is LGBT Friendly. I work with a great team of professionals that provide equal treatment to all clients regardless of background, race, or social status. We offer the same customer service to a million-dollar seller as a buyer interested in purchasing a condo in the 100K price range. I run my business with integrity and honesty, and that’s why my clients always refer me.

Besides providing quick response time, excellent listening skills, and efficient work, my clients also enjoy my philanthropic work. Throughout the year, I host several volunteer opportunities and fundraisers; this gives my clients a chance to give back to the community and get involved in social issues. For example, I have an upcoming fundraiser on March 14th called Wine & Dresses. We are collecting new and lightly used dresses to auction, and all proceeds will go to a local non-profit. It was an incredibly fun event last year, and I’m expecting it to be as memorable this year.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
We have made progress, but we have a long way to go when it comes to business mindset. In my industry, men are seen as better negotiators.

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Image Credit:
ANNA PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY

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