When life tests you, all you can do is give it your all and do the very best you can. The lessons I’ve learned from the women in my life have helped me be successful enough to where I can now pay it forward, making a difference in my community.

When I reflect on my life, it’s easy to identify how I have come so far. My mother was a nurse and a lieutenant in the Navy; she was a tough cookie with high expectations. Even so, she was one of the most caring people I have ever known. She instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic and the desire to help others.

Nothing could have prepared me for the challenges I faced when it came time to take care of my mother. She had

dementia, and for five years, I did my best to balance caregiving with being a good daughter and a professional with my own business. It was the most challenging time of my life.

I remember the day she fell and broke her hip, it was actually Veteran’s Day. It was extremely hard to see her in yet another health battle. For the last 16 months of her life, she spent her days in a nursing home. It was heart-wrenching to see her decline and to know that there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Despite the difficulty, I was grateful for my time with her. Before she passed in 2018, I would visit her every day – those moments were very special to me. Not everyone gets that opportunity. She was always my biggest supporter. I lost my dad when I was only 14 years old. I know it significantly impacted my life, but my mom made sure to continue encouraging me and pushing me to dream big.

My career is the greatest reflection of what my mom’s support did for me. I’ve built a successful career entirely on my own – that strength and independence came from her example. When I first became a REALTOR® in 1986, I worked part time up until I was laid off from my full-time job in 2001. At that point, I was ready to go all in and make real estate my sole focus. Linda, my first broker, was like a second mother to me. She helped me understand the true value of the real estate industry and the work we do every day.

One day, after working with her for several years, she called and asked me if I wanted to buy her out of the business as she was going to work as an appraiser. I was shocked to hear she was changing her focus, but excited for the new opportunity! For just $500, I became the official owner of Buyer’s Choice Realty. It still makes me happy every year when I get her Christmas card in the mail. She always lets me know how proud she is, and that truly means the world to me.

Since then, I’ve continued reaching new heights in my career. In 2014, I was the president of Cape Fear REALTORS®. It’s been incredible to focus, not only on my own success, but also the success of all agents in our area. Additionally, I am an affordable housing advocate. I think it is important I use my longstanding experience in the industry to make a meaningful difference in my community, my association, and my firm as the Managing Broker at Keller Williams Innovate.

The strong women in my life who inspired and encouraged me gave me the confidence to believe in myself, take chances and achieve whatever I set my mind to. Those values have stuck with me through all the ups and downs. When I’m not working, I enjoy golfing and spending time with my two dogs, Carly and Leo.

I was born in the Panama Canal Zone and lived there until I was 16. Growing up in a foreign country has been a life lesson in diversity. I still go back and visit from time to time. Living in the states was a big adjustment for me. That experience has helped me relate to my clients who move to the area and want to be a part of the community. I provide all the resources to my clients to make the moving experience more than just buying a home – I want you to feel settled in and comfortable.

My favorite part of being a REALTOR® is helping people achieve their goals, whether buying or selling, and protecting them along the way. As a seasoned agent, I believe that experience is crucial in the industry. With a lifetime of lessons learned, I help my clients avoid costly mistakes and help make the process easy and smooth. When the transaction is over, I’ll continue offering my services as your REALTOR® for life.

Sincerely,

Jody Wainio
Managing Broker | LIC#117999
Cell 910.232.4635
Office 910.777.2200
JodyW@kw.com
www.BCR.Homes