In this episode of Burning the Ships, Jennifer Steward shares how she became a powerhouse in off-market real estate acquisitions, building an agency of 180 virtual assistants who pull and skip trace over 2 million records per month. As a commercial real estate broker with eXp Commercial and a certified expert through the National Commercial Real Estate Association, Jennifer brings unmatched insights into finding and funding deals.
We explore Jennifer’s journey from poverty to building a real estate empire, the mindset shifts behind her success, and how she thrived in a male-dominated industry. She shares her strategies for sourcing off-market deals, building effective teams, and strategic networking. Whether you’re new to investing or scaling your portfolio, this episode is full of actionable insights and inspiration.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
01:36 Who is Jennifer Steward?
07:12 Reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad at the age of 15
15:34 Navigating the recession the traditional way
18:07 The importance of equity position in achieving financial freedom
22:24 How teaching your kids life lessons can set them up for success
31:10 Putting her family first before entrepreneurship
32:42 Breaking into real estate through cold calling
37:04 How networking can give you opportunities to scale and succeed
45:42 Building a global team of 180 virtual assistants
50:09 The benefits of managing team members individually
54:10 How exposing your children to your business early impacts them
01:00:30 Leading life with the intention to provide passive opportunities
01:03:04 Balancing personal life, business, and health
01:12:25 Overcoming adversity in raising a family and achieving success
01:14:55 The reality behind achieving success as an entrepreneur
01:19:31 Jennifer’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
Quotables
“I knew from a young age that I wanted out—I was willing to do whatever it took to change my future.”
“You have to give yourself the grace to be terrified and terrible.”
“My strength is understanding people’s motivations. It’s about listening, not selling.”
Links
Jennifer Steward
