#MAKEITHAPPEN
Kirsten Jordan, Real-Estate BrokerHalf a billion dollars in sales. A high-profile clientele. The first female cast member of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York. Meet our latest #MAKEITHAPPEN woman: Kirsten Jordan, a premier real-estate broker who has shattered that glass ceiling—with no signs of slowing down. Now the head of her own firm, this mother of 3 knows what she wants and goes after it. She leads with a direct, no-nonsense approach when it comes to her everyday dealings, recognizes what her client wants, and still loves the thrill of the deal—even after more than a decade in the business. Here, we chat with Jordan on what she loves to do in her off time, why meditation is always on her to-do list, and her rather modern personal talisman.
Kirsten Jordan in the Isabel top, Beverly jeans and Grita clogs
My Hustle
My hustle...
Serving the clients. Focusing on the clients I have and making sure they become raving fans is the best way for me to come up with new business. Plus, what’s so fun is the thrill of the deal. You really do create your own destiny.
Serving the clients. Focusing on the clients I have and making sure they become raving fans is the best way for me to come up with new business. Plus, what’s so fun is the thrill of the deal. You really do create your own destiny.
What got me started…
I lived in Italy for a couple of years and, while there, I ended up working in sales because it was the only open position that was interested in someone bilingual. After I came home, I ended up getting my real estate license because I excelled in sales and figured I would be able to sell real estate, too. I knew it would be a “no ceiling” job. And it kind of worked out!
I lived in Italy for a couple of years and, while there, I ended up working in sales because it was the only open position that was interested in someone bilingual. After I came home, I ended up getting my real estate license because I excelled in sales and figured I would be able to sell real estate, too. I knew it would be a “no ceiling” job. And it kind of worked out!
What clears my head...
I meditate at least once a day, often twice a day. The other thing I do is acupuncture. And, of course, exercise.
I meditate at least once a day, often twice a day. The other thing I do is acupuncture. And, of course, exercise.
When in doubt, I...
Go back to the fact that I've been doing this business for a long time.
Go back to the fact that I've been doing this business for a long time.
Greatest challenge—and how I overcame it...
I was always afraid to invest in help because I felt I needed to figure out a way to just do more myself and get more help at home. When I finally made the shift where I started to get help in the office and focus less on getting more nannies at home, that's when my business really exploded. I think as a woman, especially in this industry, there are specific benchmarks people make you feel you need to hit in order to get help in the office. But I wasn't hitting those benchmarks because I didn't have the help yet. And so, at one point I just said, "You know what? I'm going to invest in myself. I'm going to get an assistant. I'm going to have someone help me and I'm going to divide and conquer. And I'm going to see what that looks like." I tripled my business that year.
I was always afraid to invest in help because I felt I needed to figure out a way to just do more myself and get more help at home. When I finally made the shift where I started to get help in the office and focus less on getting more nannies at home, that's when my business really exploded. I think as a woman, especially in this industry, there are specific benchmarks people make you feel you need to hit in order to get help in the office. But I wasn't hitting those benchmarks because I didn't have the help yet. And so, at one point I just said, "You know what? I'm going to invest in myself. I'm going to get an assistant. I'm going to have someone help me and I'm going to divide and conquer. And I'm going to see what that looks like." I tripled my business that year.
how i make it happen
3 morning musts...
1. I have lemon water with chia seeds. I also mix it with licorice, aloe and a bunch of other crazy stuff—it’s a weird mixture that I use but a must for me.
2. Meditation.
3. I have to caffeinate every morning.
1. I have lemon water with chia seeds. I also mix it with licorice, aloe and a bunch of other crazy stuff—it’s a weird mixture that I use but a must for me.
2. Meditation.
3. I have to caffeinate every morning.
3 life hacks...
1. Figuring out your body's balance and listening to your body. If that means being clean during the week and falling off the rails on the weekends, that's great. Or you can be clean six days a week and give yourself one day off, or you don't need salads and you eat cooked foods, or you juice in the mornings and intermittently fast—whatever it is, you’ve got to find what keeps your body clean and balanced.
2. Physically moving your body—it's the best way to get yourself into a positive state.
3. Meditation. There are so many ways you can do it, even if you're super fidgety. It’s changed my life.
1. Figuring out your body's balance and listening to your body. If that means being clean during the week and falling off the rails on the weekends, that's great. Or you can be clean six days a week and give yourself one day off, or you don't need salads and you eat cooked foods, or you juice in the mornings and intermittently fast—whatever it is, you’ve got to find what keeps your body clean and balanced.
2. Physically moving your body—it's the best way to get yourself into a positive state.
3. Meditation. There are so many ways you can do it, even if you're super fidgety. It’s changed my life.
3 secret work weapons...
1. I ignore all negativity and drama. I'm very direct and very straightforward.
2. I don't tolerate sexism of any sort.
3. I’ve been doing this for a really, really long time and I am really, really good at what I do.
1. I ignore all negativity and drama. I'm very direct and very straightforward.
2. I don't tolerate sexism of any sort.
3. I’ve been doing this for a really, really long time and I am really, really good at what I do.
Personal talisman...
My AirPods. There's nothing better than putting your phone into your bag, putting your AirPods in and listening to music, a motivational podcast or just talking to people on the phone.
My AirPods. There's nothing better than putting your phone into your bag, putting your AirPods in and listening to music, a motivational podcast or just talking to people on the phone.
Best advice received...
1. Business breeds business, which is where my idea of going back to focusing on my clients and making them super happy comes from.
2. Patience and perseverance.
3. When I was cast on the show, a veteran member told me to remember that I don't owe anybody anything. Because everybody does come out of the woodwork and everybody wants to charge you a consulting fee to do stuff for you. So it’s something I've had to become very mindful of.
1. Business breeds business, which is where my idea of going back to focusing on my clients and making them super happy comes from.
2. Patience and perseverance.
3. When I was cast on the show, a veteran member told me to remember that I don't owe anybody anything. Because everybody does come out of the woodwork and everybody wants to charge you a consulting fee to do stuff for you. So it’s something I've had to become very mindful of.
my recharge
What I'm reading/listening to/binging...
I’m reading Modern Etiquette Made Easy: A Five-Step Method to Mastering Etiquette by Myka Meier. I really care about class. I really care about etiquette. And I really care about treating people with kindness. In my work with super high-end clients, I would never want to do anything small to turn them off. So that’s what this book is about—it’s kind of like a finishing school.
I’m reading Modern Etiquette Made Easy: A Five-Step Method to Mastering Etiquette by Myka Meier. I really care about class. I really care about etiquette. And I really care about treating people with kindness. In my work with super high-end clients, I would never want to do anything small to turn them off. So that’s what this book is about—it’s kind of like a finishing school.
Beauty/self-care must haves...
Water! Then I would say Retin-A. It's freaking amazing. And sunscreen, too. But honestly, it all comes from the inside. It's making sure I'm eating super clean—low carbohydrates, low sugar and lots of water.
Water! Then I would say Retin-A. It's freaking amazing. And sunscreen, too. But honestly, it all comes from the inside. It's making sure I'm eating super clean—low carbohydrates, low sugar and lots of water.
Favorite thing to do...
Wake up super early, meditate, caffeinate, go for a run, and then be able to walk home after the run. I feel like I've conquered the day and it's only 6:30 AM in the morning. And I love spending time with my children in a relaxed environment. I think that's the best medicine and I do it every single night.
Wake up super early, meditate, caffeinate, go for a run, and then be able to walk home after the run. I feel like I've conquered the day and it's only 6:30 AM in the morning. And I love spending time with my children in a relaxed environment. I think that's the best medicine and I do it every single night.
Favorite thing to make...
I make pancakes for my kids on the weekends. And my husband and I are really into making fish, like cooking a whole branzino.
I make pancakes for my kids on the weekends. And my husband and I are really into making fish, like cooking a whole branzino.
One mover and shaker I admire...
I'm a big fan of Barbara Corcoran. I think she's incredible. Number two would be Marie Forleo. She's very entrepreneurial, she's a thought leader and she's continuing to come up with unique content that's compelling to listen to and watch.
I'm a big fan of Barbara Corcoran. I think she's incredible. Number two would be Marie Forleo. She's very entrepreneurial, she's a thought leader and she's continuing to come up with unique content that's compelling to listen to and watch.
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