We were lucky to catch up with Jamira Kendricks recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jamira , so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I can remember as a child always having BIG dreams. I have always said to myself that I wanted people to remember something about me when I leave this world. I began to think this way after learning about different historical figures in school. Most of the significant figures that we would learn about all seemed to have major struggles and obstacles to overcome. That gave me hope! I felt that if I encountered obstacles then I would press my way through them in order to accomplish something great! That is where the seed of optimism was planted. So even now, when plans or ideas do not start or flourish from the beginning, I remain optimistic. I believe strongly in the Bible verse: Romans 8:28 which states, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. So, I know that even struggles or failures that may seem detrimental to my goals are actually helping me to become better and closer to achieving my goals.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
There is so much that I do and want to do, that I do not know where to start! I will start with what I have done for the longest amount of time. I have worked in public education for 10 years. I love helping to teach, motivate, encourage, and to build young people. As a teacher at a Title One School, meaning a school with a lower socio-economic population, my purpose is to connect with the students and show them a representation of themselves that they may have not seen before. I love to show them that I came from where they came from and overcame the expectations of statistics based on the choices that I made. My long term goal in education is to create a school specially for students with learning disabilities: ADHD, mild cognitive disabilities, autism, etc. I would like to help them focus on their personal strengths and make connections to a vocation or career path where they can obtain confidence and success. I would also like to create a non-profit organization that would help those students that have completed high school with the help of an IEP to have transitional support in figuring out the next steps in life after high school. I have seen many of my former students turn to drugs and crime due to lack of knowledge and support. Helping people to become the best version of themselves brings me immense joy!
In 2022, I became a licensed mortgage loan originator. My personal journey and struggles to purchase a home led me into obtaining my mortgage origination license in the state of Georgia in order to help others. In 2016, I met all of the listed requirements in order to purchase a home. I had the credit score, I had an established income and job, and I had the money. However, I was given the run around for years by mortgage loan officers when trying to qualify for a mortgage. So, in 2021. I finally figured out to align with the right mortgage loan officer to give me the correct information to finally become a homeowner after trying for 5 years. After that journey, I was empowered to spread that information to others within my community who had either been uninformed or misguided regarding the home buying process. I have hosted free homebuying seminars and provided local and state homeownership grant information to those in my community. I look forward to continuing to grow in this role and empower more people in my community to obtain their homeownership goals.
Next on my list of entrepreneurial endeavors. I plan to launch a brand of Christian loungewear and accessories as well as a custom roast coffee brand. I want to fulfill every desire and idea that the Lord has filled my brain with. To leave this world empty would mean that I have pleased the Lord and will hear Him say “Well done, thy faithful servant”.
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?
The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey have been: 1) Perseverance. The only way to fail is to quit. When setting goals, whether it be professional or personal, there will be many challenges and obstacles. Your plan will not always unfold in the exact way in which you expect. Your plan my turn out to be horrible! It may become hard, overwhelming and you will want to quit. But don’t! Mistakes are a part of the process. Failing is the key to learning and growth. Each step allows for refinement and perfection in the plan. Yes, the end result may be miles away from the original plan, but it will exactly what it was always meant to be. However, only perseverance will allow you to make to success.
2) Resourcefulness. We live in the age of the internet. The is nothing under the sun that cannot be found using the internet. Any concept, idea, process, that you have questions about, need help with, or want to learn can be found on Google. There is no reason to say, ” I don’t know how, or I don’t know where to start.” Start with Google. Use the resources available.
3) Balance. Being a wife, a mother of 4, a minister, a full-time employee, along with several other titles, I have learned to prioritize and balance how I spend my time in order to feel fulfilled in myself. I decided that I never want my family to feel as though they are a burden to me or come second to my personal commitments. Therefore, I am intentional in how I give quality time to them and how I set personal boundaries for my other personal and professional commitments.
I would advise everyone starting on the personal journey of self-fulfillment to take the time for the following:
1. During the planning of your goals to account for every obstacle or challenge that may possibly show up. Be realistic in your timelines and make sure to give yourself grace to grow. Expect for things to go wrong and determine that those instances will not diminish your belief in your abilities.
2. Understand that you will need help, that should not expect to know everything, and that new connections and relationships may be required.
3. Set boundaries, so that you do not become overwhelmed or overworked. Maintain a positive mental state by setting boundaries for the days and hours that are committed to the different roles and responsibilities in your life.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
In the past 12 months, I have grown tremendously in the area of personal freedom. By that I mean that I no longer feel the need to hide any parts of myself. I am able to freely acknowledge my strengths, my weaknesses, my failures, and my successes without worrying about how others my perceive me. I am not worried about how I may be judged or misunderstood. I once guarded most of my thoughts, personality and beliefs because I learned from observation that sometimes people will pick up one trait and label a person as though that one thing is all there is to them. But, I have been freed by the power of God to understand that I can be exactly myself and that those people, places, and things that are for me will gravitate towards me and those that are not wont. And I am ok with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jmkmortgages.com
- Instagram: @jjordanak
- Facebook: Jamira McGhee Kendricks
- Linkedin: Jamira Kendricks
- Youtube: @jamirakendricks
