Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ramirez.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
See, I am very passionate about female empowerment. Each of my grandmothers migrated here from Mexico at a young age. My maternal grandmother raised 6 children, 5 of which are daughters. She worked alongside my grandfather as a crop worker in the spring-summer, and they ran a neighborhood “cantina” for the remainder of the year. She worked every day until her death (in her early 60s). On my mother’s side, I am the first college graduate and the only female college graduate in the family.
My paternal grandmother raised 5 boys. Though my grandfather served in WWII, they lived minimally, to be frank; my father and his brothers grew up poor. My paternal grandmother did not speak English & never learned to drive. She earned some money by selling tortillas or doing the wash for the neighbors. As her first grandchild, she was excited to have a little girl finally. She talked to me about working hard and urged me not to depend on others and to make my way in life for my family and me.
I was a teen mom. I met my husband when I was 19, and he immediately took my son as his own. We have been married for 23 years. I did not earn my college degree in the traditional sense. I worked full-time, and my husband cared for our boys while I went to school nights and weekends. After I earned my master’s degree, I moved up the ladder in the corporate world. I worked in the corporate world for 25 years. Though I learned a lot from this experience, it came at a sacrifice to my time with my family. I spent many long hours working, and many lengthy overnight stays.
Now that my husband and I have raised our three boys, two of which are in the military, and the youngest is moving on to study mechanical engineering in the fall at the University of South Carolina; my husband and I want to be able to spend more time together, and especially be able to spend more time with our grandchildren.
Our small family of 5 is quickly growing with one daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, and soon another daughter-in-law. I began to think about all the hard work and time I was putting in to benefit corporate shareholders and asked myself, “why am I sacrificing for corporate shareholders and not for the sustainable future of my family?” I decided to go into business for myself to have the time and resources to support my granddaughters and other young females and women in my community.
Now that we have two granddaughters of our own, I think about my grandmothers all the time, their struggles, and their dreams for their children and grandchildren. Though they did not have an education, they worked extremely hard for the sake of their families.
It is this passion that has led me to invest in myself and the future of our family. I strive to help women and their families get the home and life they dream of. I want to be able to help other women support their families and grow & invest in themselves. I want my granddaughters to see this and to be able to carry it on in the future.
I firmly believe that women are strong. The world should not have the perspective that girls can be leaders but that they should be leaders – Condoleeza Rice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a small business owner, there is an investment in time and effort. As a business owner, you have to be comfortable putting investments in your time and being wise about business expenses until you start seeing the return. For me, the marketing part is the fun part. I think honestly, as long as you have a very clear understanding of your “why” and not the “to make money why” but the true intention of what you want yourself and your business to be about, your purpose, if you will, then the rest of the stuff, is simply discipline and consistency in efforts. Working long days and weekends is something I have done my whole life, and I approach each day as another new experience. Always be learning. is the best advice I can give.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a relocation specialist and licensed realtor in South Carolina. Having personally relocated several times — I have personally bought and sold 8 homes in the last 25 years — I thoroughly understand the home buying & selling process. I am your realtor with Real Life Experience.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
My husband and our children are my biggest supporters, cheerleaders, and advocates. Further I am part of the CHIEF women’s network and have gained many great relationships with other women who are supportive and act as mentors and coaches through my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: askjennifer.realtor
- Instagram: @liveincarolinas
- Facebook: Jen Ramirez Realtor
- Youtube: liveincarolinas
Image Credits
Tori Anthony
