We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Gorman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity has always been part of who I am. I have a bachelor’s degree in visual arts with a focus on graphic design, and back in high school, I was even voted “Most Creative” in my graduating class. But I don’t just rely on that—I’m always looking for ways to grow and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in design and marketing.
In college, I studied everything from color theory and oil painting to sculpture, computer-aided design, and drawing. I even studied into art history, which gave me a solid foundation for thinking creatively. All of that has carried over into how I approach real estate. Whether I’m designing a flyer, editing a video, or coming up with a marketing plan, I love using those skills to make every listing stand out.
Each home I work with has its own story, so I try to let that inspire how I market it. No two listings are the same, and neither is my approach. I’m always pulling inspiration from different places—social media is a huge one for me. It’s packed with creative ideas and fresh perspectives.
At the end of the day, keeping my creativity alive is about staying curious, trying new things, and letting every project inspire me in a new way.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I began my real estate journey in 2015, and I’m proud to be a realtor with NOLA Living Realty, serving the Greater New Orleans area. Each year, I work hard to consistently rank among the top 10 agents in my brokerage. My career has been built on two things: referrals from past clients who trust me and my ability to market effectively—especially through social media—to connect with new customers.
Real estate is exciting to me because it’s about more than just buying or selling a house; it’s about helping people with one of the biggest decisions they’ll ever make. I get to play a role in some of the most meaningful moments in my clients’ lives—whether it’s a family starting fresh, someone achieving a big life goal, or a couple growing their family. Seeing their happiness and success means everything to me, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of so many incredible stories.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my real estate journey, I’d say the three most impactful qualities and skills for me have been creativity, communication, and adaptability.
1. Creativity
My background in visual arts and graphic design has been a game-changer. Creativity isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about problem-solving, standing out, and tailoring solutions for each client or listing. For those starting out, I’d suggest tapping into what makes you unique and leaning into it. Whether it’s design, storytelling, or even how you market yourself, find ways to think outside the box and make an impression.
2. Communication
Real estate is all about relationships. Being able to listen, understand your clients’ needs, and explain things clearly is essential. When you’re navigating something as big as buying or selling a home, people need to feel heard and supported. For newcomers, practice active listening and focus on being approachable and transparent in all your conversations. It goes a long way in building trust.
3. Adaptability
No two days in real estate are the same, and that’s part of what makes it exciting—but it also means you have to be flexible. Markets change, client needs evolve, and unexpected challenges can pop up at any moment. My advice here is to stay open to learning, take every experience as a lesson, and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach as you grow.
For those just starting their journey, my biggest piece of advice is to focus on personal growth. Invest in yourself—take classes, find a mentor, and embrace the ups and downs. Real estate is a rewarding career, but it’s also a continuous learning process. The more you develop your skills and mindset, the more confident and successful you’ll become.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I believe the best approach is a balance—leaning into your strengths while also addressing areas where you can grow. Your strengths are what make you stand out and bring value to others, so they should be your foundation. However, improving on your weaknesses allows you to adapt and stay competitive in an ever-changing industry like real estate.
For example, creativity has always been my strength, and it’s the foundation of my marketing. I’ve built my career by leveraging that strength to make my listings stand out and to connect with clients in unique ways. But when I started in real estate, I realized I needed to improve my negotiation and communication skills to really succeed. Selling a home isn’t just about marketing—it’s about guiding clients through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. I worked hard to sharpen those skills by attending classes, watching mentors, and practicing. Now, I feel confident walking clients through every part of the process, which has made me a better, more well-rounded realtor.
Focusing only on your strengths can sometimes create blind spots. For example, if I had ignored the need to improve my negotiation skills, I wouldn’t be able to serve my clients as effectively as I do today. At the same time, if I had tried to become great at everything, I might have diluted the unique creativity that sets me apart.
For those starting out, I’d suggest identifying your strengths first and making them your superpower. Then, figure out which skills you need to work on to complement those strengths. Growth is about balance, and when you combine what you’re naturally good at with a willingness to learn, you become unstoppable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nolalivingrealty.com/jessica-gorman
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.gorman.realtor?igsh=cnJmdGM5bm5kM29x&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14iYVzKyPm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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