Jacquelyn Duke grew up learning business and entrepreneurship on her family farm, but never imagined she’d end up in real estate. Yet, her diverse experiences—ranging from legislative correspondent to paralegal, educator, and labor doula—prepared her for the closing table.

In this episode, Jacquelyn shares how her unique background makes her a better Realtor and investor today. She also offers practical advice on analyzing real estate deals, managing tenants, and using real estate to teach family values.

Key Takeaways

• How Jacquelyn's diverse career experiences shaped her ability to advocate and guide people through major life decisions.

• Why you don’t need a fortune to get started in real estate investing.

• How asking "What’s the worst-case scenario?" can help you make confident decisions.

• Why Jacquelyn prefers the 10% rule over the 1% rule when analyzing deals.

• Tips for screening tenants and successfully self-managing rental properties.

My journey into real estate has been anything but conventional, but each experience has uniquely prepared me for a career I love. Whether on Capitol Hill, in a delivery room, or at the closing table, my focus has always been on guiding people through major life decisions.

Growing up on a family farm, I learned the values of hard work, entrepreneurship, and financial responsibility—principles that guide me today as I help clients make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

After earning my degree from Central College, I worked as a legislative correspondent for an Iowa Senator in Washington, D.C., where I saw firsthand how trust, integrity, and follow-through are essential in building relationships. These values remain the foundation of my work in real estate.

When family brought me back to Iowa, I worked as a paralegal at Meredith Corporation, gaining invaluable skills in legal language, contracts, and negotiation. I also pursued a Master of Arts in Education at Drake University, which strengthened my ability to guide others.

My career took another turn when I became a mother, which led me to become a labor doula and childbirth educator. What began as a passion turned into a successful business, where I supported families through profound moments. This deepened my appreciation for advocacy, but as my children grew, the unpredictable nature of doula work became harder to sustain.

That's when I transitioned into real estate. While skeptical at first, I quickly realized that it offered the same opportunities to educate, guide, and advocate for people during life-changing decisions. Unlike doula work, my relationships with clients often continue long after the closing, and many become lifelong friends.

I’m excited for many more years of helping my clients navigate their journeys. It’s truly an honor to be part of their stories.

Realtor with Realty One Group Impact

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/JacquelynDukeRealtor/

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelynduke/

Phone | (515) 240-7483

Email | jacquelyn@sellingcentraliowa.com

Website | www.sellingcentraliowa.com

Address | 617 SW 3rd St., Ankeny, IA 50023