My Journey to Share

I was born and raised in Beijing and immigrated to Houston in 1991. I graduated from the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership at the University of Houston. While still a student, I worked on the restaurant side of the business, so naturally, after graduating, I was offered a job as a restaurant manager. However, running a restaurant in the real world was quite different from the “magic-kingdom-like” environment of Hilton College. Rather than aiming to climb the managerial ladder, I found myself overwhelmed by the daily operational stress. Exhausted, I entered a phase of feeling lost—unsure of who I was, what I was doing, or why I was there. I knew I needed a change.

I returned to Hilton College to take some graduate courses, thinking that pursuing a master’s degree might help elevate me. But after a few courses, I quickly grew bored. It felt like I was drifting through a dark tunnel. Until one day, some friends suggested I try selling real estate. Real estate sounded completely new, yet I felt invigorated by the idea. It was as though I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Without hesitation, I dived in, despite having no experience, knowledge, or clients. Yet my heart was full of hope and determination. I obtained my real estate license in August 2002, joined RE/MAX Metro, and began my career as a REALTOR®. Over the next 16 years, I grew both personally and professionally with the Metro team. Through rain or shine, I never considered changing brokerages. I stayed where I was, rising, failing, and rising again. I earned countless awards, including Top Producer, RE/MAX 20/20, and entry into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame. Along the way, I weathered life’s ups and downs, market fluctuations, and even hurricanes.

In 2014, I joined the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Houston network, serving on the board and starting as VP of Membership. By 2016, I was honored to become the President of the Women’s Council Houston network. I served with passion and learned wholeheartedly. My time with the Women’s Council deeply rooted me in the real estate industry, making me more aware of who I was, where I was, and what I was doing. I gained a deeper understanding of my identity as a REALTOR®, and I was no longer lost. I found myself through strong relationships and a bond with our business, industry, and communities. “JWang on the Block” was on the horizon.

By that time, social media had already been part of our lives for years. Since the launch of Facebook in 2004, countless other apps had sprung up like popcorn. While some viewed social media as a disruption, I saw it as a revolution. It transformed communication and marketing. During my time with the Women’s Council, we fully embraced social media to connect members, create educational programs, and host networking events. I found myself doing a lot of photos and video clips—almost accidentally turning into the “president-photographer.” The more I did it, the more I realized a need for professional media presentations that truly reflected us, our image, and our voice. That’s when I thought, “What if I build a video production company?

In February 2018, I founded JWang Media, a custom video production service to promote and market real estate professionals. Whether it’s a REALTOR®’s profile, a lender’s insight, a title company’s statement, a networking event, or a property highlight, every video showcases a theme, personality, and expertise. Since then, we’ve produced many videos that have gained significant attention on social media platforms. The listings received more “limelight,” and the professionals got more “Superstar” exposure. The result? Skyrocketing views and followers. Our audience appreciated the authenticity and true voices we conveyed. This effective marketing approach delivered both value and joy.

A few months later, in November 2018, I obtained my broker license and established JWang Properties—a boutique realty firm with a personal touch. I declared, “Through our innovative system and custom video production, JWang Properties elevates REALTORS® to be Superstars, serving clients, the industry, and the community. We offer one-stop, customized strategies and service plans tailored to each client’s unique needs in both residential and commercial real estate.”

Today, JWang Properties is home to top producers and expert agents in both residential and commercial sectors. Together, we bring value to our clients and consistently strive for multi-million-dollar sales volumes. Value is what we produce and deliver—but we offer more. We offer joy. As REALTORS®, we take on our clients’ problems as our own and share in their happiness. We embark on a journey together, building memories and fostering relationships that last beyond transactions. Even when deals fall through, our relationships prevail. That’s the culture of the JWang family.

In July 2019, I began drafting my debut novel, Girl Wears Those Shoes. Writing has always been a part of me, and I finally decided to bring my vision to life. A fiction lover at heart, I wanted to create a story that would inspire young professionals in the business world. Through the protagonist, Gigi O, I aimed to depict the challenges, experiences, and triumphs of a new generation of Chinese immigrants. The themes of growth, discipline, and perseverance are universal, transcending race, gender, or ethnicity. The Red Sole of triumph belongs to the woman who dares to rock it!

On December 14, 2021, Girl Wears Those Shoes was officially released, and I’ve been grateful for the positive feedback. “What a fun read!” “I never realized how much goes into being a REALTOR®!” “I learned so much about real estate!” My approach to the book was simple: “If you want to learn, you’ll learn. If not, at least you’ll be entertained!”

Joy is something we love to share. In April 2022, the book earned its first award for literary fiction from The BookFest.

In January 2022, we launched a new website: www.jennywanghouston.com, which contains three main sections: JWang Properties, JWang Media, and Girl Wears Those Shoes. The book’s page also directs visitors to www.jennywangauthor.com, where I’ve created a donation button for the Houston Ballet, supporting the arts and culture of our city. Combining business, industry service, and community engagement, I established JWang, Inc.

Today, in 2024, we proudly welcome you to the JWang Family through www.jwang.live. With two Houston locations and one in Kerrville, Texas Hill Country, we offer tailored “one-stop” concierge service in both residential and commercial real estate, always guided by our principle: Business + Culture = JWang Properties.