In the hardest moments, when I’ve been on the brink of giving up, I’ve learned the most about myself and what I’m capable of.
When I first started in real estate in 2013, I had no idea what I was walking into. I loved architecture and design, and the idea of helping people through a major life decision sounded exciting. But I had no idea exactly how real estate worked. The first two years were very rocky as I tried to fit the mold of what I thought a REALTOR® should be.
At the time, my family and I were going through a lot of transitions. My store, KanduBeads, was closing after 10 years. The kids were teenagers. Finances were tight. There was so much going on in my life, and pouring money into a career I wasn’t seeing much return on was defeating.
The breaking point came when I ran into the office to make copies. I wasn’t meeting clients but I was wearing nice new jeans. The manager pulled me aside and told me, I wasn’t dressed professionally enough. I remember thinking, I’ve built businesses, worked with luxury clients, and managed teams—and I’m being reprimanded about jeans?
It made me reflect on everything I’d already done in my career and what I knew I was capable of. Before real estate, I spent a decade at Madrigal Audio as a product designer, where I learned everything from luxury product branding and marketing, packaging and presentation. A few weeks after our son Cooper was born the company disbanded. I took my severance with the expectation of staying home with the kids for a while.
Eight months after our son Cooper was born, with Magnolia still a toddler, my husband Jeff was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. His prognosis was grim. I understood the reality that we would likely lose him. But I didn’t give up. I made it my full-time job to find someone who could help. I tracked down the right doctor, got him into a clinical trial, and he beat the odds.
That experience taught me: even when the outcome is uncertain, my positive can do attitude is what will guide me. I will figure it out. And I don’t need to rely on someone else’s roadmap—I make my own.
During Jeff’s treatments and recovery, I started making jewelry to keep myself sane. That creative outlet grew into a business. I began doing craft shows, built a following, and eventually opened my own store. Over the next ten years, I ran two locations, oversaw production, and handled every detail of building and running a brand.
Leaving that for real estate was meant to be an exciting new chapter. But it became one of the most stressful times of my life. But thankfully, I met a broker, who really encouraged me to be myself, run my business my way, and stop trying to force myself to be someone who I am not.
That freedom to be uniquely me, changed everything. I brought in my design background, marketing instincts, and ability to connect with people authentically. Most of my clients are people I already know, so trust always comes first. Once I stopped following someone else’s model and started leaning into what I do best, connecting with people, wouldn’t you know it—people really responded! Before long, my business took off, and I’m proud to say I’ve earned 100% 5-star reviews on Zillow. My client’s satisfaction is always my end goal.
I’ve come to learn that you need to be open to the opportunities life presents, and when challenges arise, don’t be afraid to veer off the beaten path and forge your own way.
Outside of work, I love hunting down mid-century modern furniture. I also teach art to kids and adults, and when we get the chance, we travel!
There are three things I love about real estate: the people, the stories, and the homes. My favorite thing to ask every couple is how they met and what they love about each other. That tells me so much about how they make decisions, what matters to them, and how to guide them through the process. I treat every client like family and try to be aware of what they’re going through, whether it’s excitement, stress, or something in between.
One of the best ways to support my clients is to explain the process clearly, set expectations, and keep communication open and consistent. Pricing strategy, vendor coordination, marketing, negotiation, and all the day-to-day details—I handle it! With a creative background and my history of luxury branding and marketing, I know how to set listings apart. Every property I sell is staged twice by me: once for photos, then again for in-person showings, because how a home looks online isn’t the same as how it feels when you walk through it. I use what I’ve learned from product design, jewelry, and luxury marketing to make sure every listing looks right and connects with the right buyer. Even the smallest details, like fairy lights in a kid’s room can make a huge difference! What matters most to me is that my clients feel supported and know I’m in their corner, not just during their transaction but long after it’s over.
Sincerely,
Deb Jaffe
REALTOR® | LIC# RES.0808380
call/text 203.444.4880
deb@debjaffe.com
DebJaffeRealtor.com
329 Main Street, Suite 203, Wallingford, CT 06492
