Rising Stars: Meet Nicole Zoellner of Denver Metro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Zoellner

Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a patented entrepreneur, with over 16 years of experience as the CEO of small businesses in the consumer goods and real estate industries. I successfully commercialized a women’s consumer good which sold on Amazon and other retail outlets. After 11 years, this venture culminated in the negotiation and sale of the business. I currently serve in the Air National Guard and I leveraged my military and entrepreneur background with my parents’ property experience and we co-founded a residential real estate redevelopment company.
Throughout my childhood, my family owned rental units, which we diligently self-managed. Handling maintenance tasks ourselves, we gained firsthand experience in the intricacies of property management. After my parents liquidated their assets and spent time overseas, they returned to the US and we knew we wanted to get back into real estate. We also knew that property management was not something we wanted to do again. Partnering with an education company, we honed our skills in creating efficient systems and processes for real estate ventures. Since 2019, our family-operated business has been acquiring out-of-date or distressed properties, revitalizing them, and maximizing their functionality before selling. Our primary focus lies in the North Denver Metro area.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have definitely been learning experiences along the way. Luckily, we approached this business with a strong educational foundation which has helped us minimize our struggles. We approach every deal with multiple exit strategies to help mitigate our risk. However, early in our career we realized the importance of getting everything in writing when working with contractors. We also learned to read all title work and delay closing if necessary to make sure everything looks how it should. Honestly, real estate is such a dynamic industry that we learn something new on every transaction. We do our best to learn from those situations for continued process improvement.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a self-starting entrepreneur with diverse blend of skills in patented consumer goods, international retail and real estate. I specialize in entrepreneurship, having founded and grown several businesses. Strategic planning is another key area of expertise, where I create and execute long-term business strategies. In real estate, I act as a trusted advisor, managing acquisitions, sales, and due diligence. Additionally, as a licensed Realtor, I buy and sell properties for our business. My project management skills include overseeing projects from inception to completion, designing renovations, creating scopes of work, and managing contractors and deliveries. I also excel in product development, designing and bringing new products to market, and in business operations, where I manage day-to-day activities to ensure success.
I am proud of my military service, where I serve as an officer in the Air Force National. Another significant achievement is developing and patenting a unique nursing bra, successfully commercializing it, and negotiating the sale of the business. In real estate, I have overseen multiple residential projects, resulting in the acquisition and sale of over $7M in properties. I have also served in board leadership experience includes serving on various non-profit and advisory boards, contributing to community and professional organizations. I am a board-certified candidate and looking to utilize my diverse skills to help micro and small cap businesses be competitive and resilient.

What sets me apart from others is my diverse background and successful track record in multiple industries. My ability to innovate and lead is demonstrated through my entrepreneurial ventures in retail and real estate, exemplary service and leadership in the Air Force National Guard, active involvement in professional and community organizations, and my role as a patent holder, where I brought new products to market successfully.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Yes, I would classify myself as a risk taker. I have taken risks throughout my entire career, but I always strive to mitigate them whenever possible. For instance, one of my first significant risks was applying for a patent and manufacturing a product in an industry where I had no prior experience. I then started my own company. However, I didn’t leave my day job immediately. It took a year to get my patent awarded, another year to find a manufacturer, and six more months to get my first round of inventory. Even after I began selling my product, I continued working at my day job until my business grew enough to make leaving financially viable.

To address my knowledge gaps, I tapped into available resources. Although I was a criminal justice major in college and had taken a few business classes, I wasn’t equipped with the immediate knowledge needed to start and run a business. So, I enrolled in an entrepreneur training program to gain the necessary skills.

Likewise, real estate investing also involves inherent risks, but I take numerous steps to minimize them. We invest in desirable markets and build on a solid educational foundation, learning from others’ mistakes to reduce our own. Additionally, our team comprises three individuals with very different personalities, which is incredibly helpful when underwriting deals. This diverse perspective ensures we thoroughly assess and mitigate potential risks.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jntpropertysolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jntproperty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JNTPropertySolutions/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jntpropertysolutions9847