Sometimes a single conversation can shift the course of your life; for me, that moment led from selling cars to building a thriving real estate brokerage.

 

I grew up at my dad’s car dealership, spending my youth learning how to sell cars. I assumed I’d stay in the auto industry forever—until the day a home builder walked onto the lot. He told me he was selling and renting homes and needed help. When he invited me to be a sales agent for his construction company, I took the leap. I was eager to keep learning about sales, and at first, everything went well.

 

Then the real estate market crashed. Practically overnight, the business dried up and I had to pivot quickly. It was intimidating to start over, but I went into selling insurance. That job was bittersweet. On one hand, it was highly impersonal; I was speaking to corporations, selling a service I didn’t always resonate with. On the other hand, it taught me valuable skills—how to introduce myself to strangers, face rejection without fear.

 

That period also gave me time to reflect on the market crash. In those days, nearly anyone could get approved for a loan, but that didn’t mean they could afford it. I felt partly responsible for what had happened. That reflection matured me and shaped a new commitment: never to put clients in situations they couldn’t handle, even if they technically qualified.

 

During my time in insurance, I also built a large network of people, a network that later proved invaluable when I returned to real estate. Coming back felt like coming home. Real estate was the kind of personal, service-centered work I loved. It also allowed me to be present for my wife, Kellee and our two children and our beloved granddaughter. I didn’t want to miss a single recital, game, or special moment with my family.

 

As the years went by, my focus began to shift again. I started craving a different type of leadership and culture. I had worked in hyper-individualistic teams—every agent out for themselves—and it didn’t align with my values. I wanted a family-and team-oriented environment where people could collaborate, brainstorm ideas together, and genuinely support one another. I envisioned a brokerage that not only helped agents succeed but also respected their personal lives, encouraging them to spend time with friends and family.

 

So I built the company I wished had existed when I started. I opened my own brokerage to create exactly that kind of atmosphere—warm, collaborative, and centered on genuine care for clients and agents alike. Today, I’m proud to serve not just as an agent, but also as a Broker and Team Leader.

 

Even with this growth, family remains everything to me. I love spending time with our family with my wife, Kellee, and our two golden retrievers, Cash and Dutton. Whether it’s dinners at home or family vacations together, our lives revolve around our family. I’m also a proud grandfather, and taking my granddaughter out and spoiling her is one of my greatest joys. Beyond family, I stay active in the community, helping raise money  for local youth charities—scholarships for teen camps, Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, Sertoma International and our local YMCA.

 

Looking back, each twist in my journey—the dealership, the market crash, the insurance job—prepared me for the role I’m in today. It taught me resilience, responsibility, and the power of creating a culture that lifts others up.

 

With 21 years in the business, I bring steady grit and a results-first attitude to every client challenge. I’m a hard worker who thrives on creative problem-solving — I don’t accept “this is how we’ve always done it” as an answer. Instead, I quietly remove my ego, explore new approaches, and keep going until we find a solution that actually works. Persistence is part of my DNA: I don’t quit until the problem is solved.

 

Honesty is just as important. About 90% of my business comes from referrals, and that trust is something I protect fiercely. I respect clients by never being salesy or pushy; my priority is always what’s best for them, even if that means advising against a deal. I want clients to feel comfortable calling me anytime for advice — not just during transactions but for long-term guidance. Warmth and professionalism guide my relationships: I aim to be both a knowledgeable advocate and a reliable friend. If you want someone who’ll work hard, think creatively, act with integrity, and stay by your side through every twist, I’m that partner.

  

Sincerely,

 

 

Stephen M. Jensen

Principal Broker 

Direct 970-405-9900

stevej@sellnoco.com

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