“Selling books door-to-door was absolutely one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. I was met with rejection seven out of every ten doors I knocked on. Most people were friendly enough, though, when they would abruptly say, ‘We’re not interested’ before I even had a chance to explain what I was doing,” says Jessica DeVries, principal agent of the DeVries Team with Southwestern Real Estate in Sugar Grove. “The experience taught me how to stay positive through adversity and to keep the long-term goal in mind, among other things.”

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Jessica spent her college summers in a sales and leadership program called Southwestern Advantage. She would join a group of college students who would relocate for the summer and run a business selling educational books door-to-door.  The Nashville-based program is part of the, now international, Southwestern Family of Companies. Founded in 1855, it is the oldest direct-selling company in the country.

“The Southwestern Family of Companies comprises organizations across a range of industries, all with the shared goal of investing in purpose-driven people who are inspired to build principle-guided businesses that impact the world,” explains Jessica. 

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in mathematical decision sciences and operations research (i.e., statistics) and completing five years with Southwestern Advantage, Jessica began considering her career choices. Southwestern Real Estate was the newest sister company at Southwestern Family of Companies. Wanting to put her degree to good use, Jessica joined the already four other REALTORSⓇ in 2014 to continue growing its first office in Chicagoland.

“I originally wanted to become an actuary and do risk management for insurance companies,” says Jessica. “But I realized I thrived most when I was out of the office and helping people versus working behind a computer screen all day.”

“Honestly, being a REALTORⓇ couldn’t be a better fit!” she adds. “After all, real estate is a market, so I get to put my stats skills to use, and I still get a healthy amount of computer time.”

The shift from book sales to real estate was a big adjustment for Jessica, especially with having to move from the mild winters of North Carolina to the cold and snowy ones in Illinois. What’s more, Jessica didn’t know a single person here except for her husband, Zac, whom she’d met in the Southwestern Advantage program.

“It was a gamble to try and build a referral-based real estate business in an area where I knew no one,” says Jessica. “Zac and I both moved here to become 100 percent commission-based salespeople. Neither one of us had any immediate connections. I’m proud to report that we both still have the same jobs, now almost ten years later, and have planted some wonderful long-term roots here.”

Recently, the two embarked on their biggest personal challenge to date: parenthood. On March 21, 2023, the couple welcomed their son, Carson, into the world. While not a stranger to facing professional and personal obstacles head-on, Jessica has found being a full-time mom and full-time REALTORⓇ a tough balance, but ultimately, an achievable goal.

“I want to show other hardworking REALTORS® that there’s a way to live a good life, be fully present with family, and run a successful business. It doesn’t mean you have to work 24/7,” says Jessica. “Through developing systems and finding the right people, you can build a beautiful, non-chaotic life as a REALTORⓇ.”

“Too often I see agents running themselves ragged,” she says. “Last year, between maternity leave, weekends, and travel, I took almost six months off from my business. I’m beyond grateful I was able to take that invaluable time, and all while, have the peace of mind that my business was still moving forward.” 

Now back to leading her team and serving clients, Jessica is as passionate about real estate as she was in those early days. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing her team while also expanding her investment portfolio. Jessica and Zac currently own three properties and aim to purchase a new property every year going forward. “Ideally, the next property purchase will be a ranch home with a little land—to encourage my parents to make the move from their alpaca farm in NC and join us here. I’m keeping fingers crossed!” she says.

“Being in this business offers me an advantage that I’d love to capture as I continue to learn more about real estate investing,” she continues. “I don’t want to be grinding hard at work when I’m seventy years old. I want to build a financially secure and valuable business that can be successfully run by others so that I can buy my time back. But I’ll always have some hand in working with real estate clients because I truly love what I do.” 

When she does get a break, Jessica focuses on quality time with Zac, Carson, and their two shelties and two cats, whether at home, or traveling in their teardrop camper trailer—they usually travel across the country for two weeks in the fall, or spending time at their lake house in Michigan. Jessica also carves out time to stay active, recently recommitting to hot yoga sculpt classes before the sun rises. She’s also committed to volunteering with local animal organizations. It all makes for a busy schedule, but Jessica wouldn't have it any other way.

“I’ve found it rewarding to build a referral-based business with clients who often become friends,” she says. “I truly care and want what’s best for others. If anyone asks me for help, I will do everything within my power to help them.”