Rodney Jackson is the Million Dollar Real Estate Coach and Agent of The Rodney Jackson Company
Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your journey as a leader in your industry?
As a child who was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to parents who were investors, I understood the importance of home ownership at a very young age. My parents’ choices drove my decision to enter the real estate industry. At age 21, I bought my first duplex; by 23, I owned three properties. Shortly after, I obtained my real estate license at 24 years old.
Throughout my 42-year career, I have been named the number two selling agent in Goodyear, Arizona, and grossed $37 million in home sales. My success resulted from thinking outside the box and keeping God first, family second, and business third. Today, I use my expertise to coach real estate agents by providing a roadmap in my book, “Who Ate My Cookie,” highlighting marketing strategies and systems for selling homes fast for top dollar. My coaching program, launching on December 7th, 2023, teaches agents what it takes to sell a home, market a business, and win in real estate.
What specific experiences or decisions in your journey do you believe have shaped your approach to business and leadership?
In 2008, when the market crashed, I had the most setbacks I’ve ever had in this business, but I also had the biggest comeback. After the crash, I had to rebuild my business for the fifth time. As frustrated as I was, I remained diligent, stayed persistent, and stuck with it even when it wasn’t easy. During this time of rebuilding, I learned something compelling: the importance of pivoting. Instead of focusing solely on making a living off real estate commissions, which were minimal in 2008, I decided to get licensed as a mortgage broker to keep income flowing since short sales at the time were booming. By the time the market recovered, my business was more vital than ever because I was back to being a real estate agent and equipped to help sellers get out of any short-sale messes they found themselves in. With believing in myself and being open to the power of pivoting, the setbacks were a great time to make a comeback.
Can you share a story of a pivotal moment in your career that led to a significant transformation in your business or personal life?
In 2006, I moved to Florida. As a realtor, transitioning into a new market and building up brand new clientele takes time, so to keep income flowing and to provide for my family, I waited tables and built my real estate business simultaneously. During this time, my son saw how hard I worked day and night to keep the bills paid, and one day, he said something that lit a fire inside of me. He said, “You are Rodney Jackson. You don’t have to wait tables!”.
