About
Thank you for taking the time to review this brochure and give me the opportunity to connect with you. I’d like to share a little of my story.
Often, the challenges we overcome help make us better people. This has certainly been true in my own life. My first such experience was at Cal Poly. The first in my family to earn a college degree, I majored in mechanical engineering and often found myself in classes without a single other woman in the room. I was never one to back down, however, and my determination led me to a thriving career in engineering, where I served as Vice President and COO of a local company while also being mother to our first child, Spencer.
In 2002, my high-school sweetheart — now husband — Sean and I welcomed a daughter into the world. Dakota was born with a rare disorder, Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. She cannot walk or talk, suffers from seizures, and is nearly blind. Despite all that, she is the sweetest girl. While it was obvious from the beginning that she would change my life, I didn’t realize how positive the change could or would be!
With all Dakota’s needs, it was clear that I couldn’t return to my job. I had to give up engineering and find a more flexible career. I found just what I needed in real estate but getting into this profession was a challenge. The industry revolves around meeting people and making connections, and I had always been quiet and shy. I didn’t have the slightest idea how to network.
It started coming together when I began volunteering at our son’s school. For the first time, I found it easier to get to know new people — other parents, initially. Soon I was making friends and building my business at the same time. My network kept growing, and I found myself enjoying the socializing. The flexibility became a new sort of freedom, allowing me to be more spontaneous and discover a new side of myself.
One way that new side manifested itself was, of all places, on my feet. Being 5’9”, I never used to have much interest in heels. But when a friend took me out shopping and put me in a pair of heeled boots, something just felt right. Since then, high heels have become my trademark, and I’ve been making up for lost time not just in shoes, but with the rest of my life.
I recently took on the role of President at the Wild Oak Saddle Club, and a few years ago, I also began serving as a Sonoma County Certified Tourism Ambassador (I like to call it a “Certified Fun Person”). My fellow CTAs and I are dialed in to all the great things going on across the county, from concerts to restaurants and wine tastings. As a lifelong Santa Rosa resident, it’s always a joy for me to showcase this fabulous area to clients.
I love sharing my knowledge and experience with people considering a real estate transaction. Perhaps with you. But I’d hardly expect your business simply because we’ve had a friendly chat (or even because you’re enjoying this story). However, I would ask that if and when you’re actively thinking about buying or selling a home, you take the time to interview me and see if my knowledge and experience might make me the agent best suited to help you.
Buying or selling a home can be as complex as it is important, so the representation your agent provides can have a major impact on your satisfaction with the result. By the way, I am not just a real estate agent, but a licensed broker and a notary public as well, which widens the knowledge and services I offer clients. My ability to understand a client’s needs and my creative use of evolving technologies provide a winning solution for both the buyers and sellers who choose to work with me. For several years I’ve been among the elite group of agents who have earned an honor that is based solely on client feedback, the Century 21 Quality Service Award.
It’s important for you to choose the person who will do the best job for you and who is the right fit for your particular needs. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. Whenever you — or a friend — need assistance with real estate, I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to interview for the job. I’d also like you to know that if you choose not to work with me, I will not be offended. But if you do allow me to collaborate with you, I will work diligently not just to meet, but to exceed your expectations.
With gratitude,
Jolene Cortright
Broker-AssociateThank you for taking the time to review this brochure and give me the opportunity to connect with you. I’d like to share a little of my story.
