Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Macdonald.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennifer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am forever the entrepreneur and always trying to learn. I worked In IT for a large financial firm in the city for 20 years. I have a background in finance, IT and business management but my real passions are in real estate, design and home restoration. About ten years ago, I started pursuing real estate investing in addition to my day job. I spent one fall/winter nights and weekends restoring a two family to rent out. This gave me the bug to want to continue. I got my real estate license shortly after this.
I have always been creative and I think my grandmother and parents inspired me when I was young. When I was young, I wanted to be an artist and a farmer. My Nan was always redesigning her house and loved to decorate. My parents build their dream post and beam home for much of my childhood. I remember helping to paint, stencil, wallpaper or whatever was needed in the house. I am also a vintage junky. I love antique anything. I love to repurpose old pieces and find creative ways to make something useful again
This all brought me to where I am now. One home renovation leads to another and another. Soon, I was partnering with my boyfriend and our carpenter friend to restore homes well over 100 years old. I would help find them, help with some of the work, design them and, of course, stage them. We have now been doing full restorations for about five years or so. We work with other clients’ homes and our own homes. I design and stage for others as well. I have done design for a storefront, staging for a client for sale as well. I love seeing the before and after in every project. I also love seeing the look on others faces when they have just found their dream home! I have helped many find their next homes as a realtor well which is so much fun to me. I finally took the leap and corporate job in IT within the last year. I am now working very hard for just my clients as a realtor and designer. I gave up the long commutes and now spend each day doing what I love!
Great, 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?
It has not been the smoothest road for me. I am a single Mom who worked very long hours for many years before I found my niche. Being a mom comes first and I have always worked hard to provide for my family. To be honest I thought my corporate job was the safest thing to do to provide for my family… and then, I got really sick. I had a very life-altering experience ten or so years ago and I realized life is a way to short. I read recently to make every day as if it was Saturday. This doesn’t mean that Saturdays are not a day filled with hard work too, but it is about changing your lifestyle. It means every day should be spent doing what you love to do but also working hard at it. Pursuing dreams takes patience and hard work. I have worked multiple jobs for many years. This took many sacrifices to achieve what I have achieved. I would say you have to not let the fear get in the way. Expect that it will be hard work but at the end of the day a job is just a job but a living your dreams is a lifestyle. Wealth is not about money but about living the lifestyle you want to live.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Full Circle Homes – what should we know?
I am a licensed realtor with SUCCESS! Real estate. I love finding other’s dream homes or their next investment property. I believe home ownership is an important step in anyone’s life and you need someone that you can trust. I make every one of my clients my priority from evaluating a home’s worth of negotiating a sale to helping them stage to sell their home and all aspects in between I can provide the expertise. As for my design skills, I do think staging is key to selling a home. Selling a home quickly and for as possible is my goal. I provide my clients with staging advice with all my listings. I can also provide staging furniture.
This brings me to Full Circle homes renovation and staging business! We have been restoring and renovating antique homes around the south shore area. We will renovate others’ homes or our own. I provide design expertise and help with the project management aspects. We do additions, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, etc… you name it we have done it.
I love the design and decor aspect of each project that Full Circle Homes take on. Our carpenter Rich is amazing at putting everything together like for instance when we have this amazing piece of black walnut wood and an idea to make into the coolest table. Currently, we are working on a twin chimney colonial built in 1840 that has been abandoned for years. I can’t wait to take this one on! I am hoping to set up a design shop in this space where other clients can come and get ideas and inspiration! I love design and helping others with ideas in their homes or businesses. Recently I designed a storefront for a Plant shop opening in Pembroke – that was so much fun!
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Don’t let a few failures stop you. Failures are actually so important in learning and becoming successful. I am forever the entrepreneur and always trying to learn. I think each failure has taught me great things. I once owned and ran a sandwich shop – this place taught me a ton and more than college ever did. I think letting go of the fears helps too. like Steve Jobs once said – Stay Foolish, Stay Hungry. I think to keep up the hard work and the persistence will pay off!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fullcircle-homes.com
- Phone: 781-424-7459
- Email: jenmacdonald.realtor@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyatfullcircle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FullCircleHomes/
Image Credit:
Nicole Ellen Gowan Photography
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