Jojie Steward

                "You can’t lead anyone if you don’t lead yourself well".   

      

If one thing is true about Black women in America, is that we will get the job done. Whether we’re homemakers, provider, caregivers, problem solver, or hustler, it is in our very nature to make lemonade out of lemons. This is no different for Houston native Jocresha Steward, a.k.a., ’Jojie’, as her friends affectionately call her. Having her own business as a realter while making an extra bag or two in the corporate sector would motivate anyone who doesn’t have the grind, to immediately understand in this world it’s get it now or regret it later, and she may very well be the blueprint. We recently talked to Ms. Steward about her passion for living the lifestyle she wanted and what makes her such a boss in today’s world and everything in between. Here’s what she had to say.

       Q. How are you Jojie, how you been?

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       A. I ‘m doing well... (laughs)…, I’m doing good you know.  I just keep it moving and keep it pushing. Focusing on some online things but I’ve been good, real good.  

 

     Q. You know, since the first day we met, and you came in there poised, I said she is about her business honey (laughs). Where does your fashion since come from, because you know appearance is everything.

 

    A. Absolutely, thank you. You know, for me it’s confidence.  Dress how you want to be addressed. I really don’t have a specific style, I always liked to dress nice, make sure I was put together. My sister was into fashion. She would always put me in the latest fashion, and it continued into adulthood.  How you represent yourself is very important, coming from a leader’s perspective you can’t lead anyone if you don’t lead yourself well.   

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   Q. That’s great. So, I guess I want to start off by asking, being your own boss as a realter, what is that like? Having the freedom to go and do as you please and why real estate?

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    A. Being your own boss, (laughs)… you set your own rules, you know. You are in charge of your own income sort to speak. Setting goals and being disciplined and staying motivated and reminding yourself about the end goal. I started actually in college and going to seminars learning how to make multiple streams of income.  I then got my real estate license and got with other realtors in the game and learned from them. I knew and believed that I have the looks and personality to do this. It was difficult, but sometimes it’s difficult.  And one thing I pride myself on is great customer service, because I do love to help people.

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   Q.  Now, obviously, we can’t negate the fact that money is so important in this day and age, and you cannot survive without it. We briefly just spoke on your real estate ventures, but you also go to corporate America to get an extra bag is that by choice or that you know what you want, and you go after it?

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   A. You know what, that’s a really good question, Kennedra. I look at it like stability. You know if you work a 9-5, you’re going to get that check, it’s set in stone. When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re on a grind constantly. Before real-estate I had a lifestyle already. Most of the time if I’m being honest, going back to corporate can be like a safety net, sometimes it’s out of fear. So, for me, I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge, but more so a security and it does comes with security. In real-estate, it’s having patience, nothing comes overnight. You have to learn a lot, everything’s not going to go your way every time. On the positive side, you always meet new people. It’s not all bad and you could balance it. People think glitz and glamour but its take time. Because the media thinks it amazing, but it’s a grind.

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   Q. When do you have time for yourself, what does an un-chaotic day look like for you?

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  A. You know what, I’m all about peace. In my life, I try to practice that a lot. Waking up, checking emails, making calls or following up on text even cooking a nice meal, maybe watching one of my favorite episodes on Netflix, but yeah, yeah, that would be like an unchaotic day for me (laughs). If you balance it out it will be more unchaotic and then chaotic. I’m so used to a lot of ripping and running, ya’ll ain’t finna’ be stressing me out… (laughs).

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  Q.  Now, we’ve talked about the upside of having your own, what if any are the downsides, you know, the pros and cons if any?

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  A. It took a long time, just a couple of years ago, I realized I was an introvert. Having to follow up with strangers can be challenging. Having to do all this stuff and it’s like, having people rooting for you, knowing I do have the skills so just do it. I’m still trying to constantly balance getting out of my shell. So, it’s like you have 10, 20 people calling you and it’s like you might need an assistant. In college, I had a professor who was rooting for me, she was pushing me to go into the news sector to Fox 26, here in Houston. She was like “girl, I’m go push up”, me thinking ok this go be good, and I went a did it, because I always had a success mindset that you will be successful in everything you do. So, I just went for it, and after a while it just wasn’t a good fit, just moving on from that. I am a self-motivated person, I do a lot of reading and listening to podcasts. I like Toni Robbins, believing in yourself is like the number one thing. Sometimes you have to talk to yourself and believe in yourself.

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  Q.  If you could mentor anyone about the ins and outs of being your own boss what would be the first thing you would start with.

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  A. Hmm, to a mentee, I would say, make sure it’s not all about the money because if it is, you will get worn out fast. Have an end goal. Is it to create generational wealth or is it for right now? You have to have a passion for people, you know. Have a heart for people, and service leads to greatness, keep it at the forefront of your mind as well as new ideas.  It is selfish to serve yourself. 

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  Q. Yes! It’s interesting you say that because black women are the fastest demographics in the education system and the business area as well. Who were some of your role models growing up and wanting to do what you are doing now? You just mentioned Toni Robbins as one.

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 A. Umm, well of course I do like Oprah Winfrey, of course she broke a lot of barriers, she was in talk as well. She started out doing what she loves, basically took another trajectory later in life. The lady can’t stop, won’t stop (laughs). It’s a reminder that success doesn’t have a time limit. You probably thought you would be a millionaire at 26 (laughs) and then it doesn’t happen. Once you acquire what you acquire in the business, that’s great. It’s more so about business sense. Kiana Watson is another one based in Atlanta, she’s a real estate broker, well respected, great service and respects her clients. That’s another person I immolate my business after.

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  Q. As a black woman in business, do you find it more difficult to have people take you seriously?

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  A. As a black woman, gracefully, I haven’t experienced that in the industry. I don’t know, maybe because I’m an impressionable person. Now they don’t want to try me (laughs). I’m able to meet people where they are. But I do think how you present or market yourself matters. You set the example. So, if my goal is to sell a multimillion-dollar home, I’m not going in jeans. I’m not going to give you a reason not to come by. That’s very important.

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  Q. What motivates you even when sometimes you may not be on your A-game?

   

   A. I would say my faith. Staying in prayer knowing what’s for me is for me, just knowing I’m capable. God tells me I’m capable through strength. I found my go to is prayer, and it's like step back, don’t be so hard on yourself. Timing is everything as well, so yeah, my time will come, and it will be more than what I was going for. 

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  Q. Last question, where do you see yourself professionally or personally in 5 years?

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  A. In five years, I plan on being at an upscale brokerage firm here, it’s a multimillionaire company. Starting a family as well.  Starting a team, people coming under me, me being able to guide them as well. Just remembering how I started out, I want to do the same for them as well you know, umm, so yeah. Doing that and being a top producer at the brokerage company.  You know it’s a constant grind and I just try to make people feel comfortable.

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  KN.  Thank you so much for your time today to chat with us, I know you are doing amazing things, and we look forward to seeing more.

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 JS.  I appreciate you asking me, and for your brand. I just feel like, yeah, it’s a journey, I feel blessed. Even if I decided if I wasn’t this driven, I know I’m God’s child and I know I’m still good. I sit and think and say, “girl I’m good”. And you truly have to believe that you know.

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  KN. Absolutely! 

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