Meet Jesse Loughman | Real Estate Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Loughman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, is there something you believe many others might not?
I don’t believe in hard work…anymore.

Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. I never planned to be in real estate. Ten years ago, I was in my early 20s living in an abandoned house on the southside of Atlanta. I applied for every job I could think of – from barista to bookstacker and watched the last few dollars drain out of my account. I finally got my break as a part-time assistant to a successful real estate agent. It was lucky, beyond lucky, as I knew nothing then about the world of real estate, what it would eventually do for me, and how it would shape the landscape of my life.

Over the years I’ve toiled away mastering the technicality of the trade, eventually becoming a full-time licensed real estate agent but still watched as others (who couldn’t even rotate a PDF much to my chagrin) earn ten times my income. It took me years to realize:
The “hustle and grind” culture is limited. Maybe it’s not about how hard I’m working…maybe it’s something different?

Now, success, especially in the field of real estate, stems from many factors—market knowledge, networking, timing, and a bit of luck. Truthfully though, the mountain I had to climb was my own mind. I’ve spent years realizing that my mind and expectations of myself were the only thing keeping me back. The “work” I needed to do was in my head.

Most of us grew up in a culture and family environment that held up the values of martyrdom, sacrifice, toiling until our fingers bleed, and being as miserable as possible while we were working. Everyone hates working, right? It took me years to un-learn this and each time I peel a new layer of this thinking away my satisfaction and income grow.

When you are miserable busying yourself to death, you: close yourself off to new insights, are too exhausted to meet new people who want to help you grow, nor have time to stop and think differently about a particular problem that’s been nagging you. The antidote to this “hustle and grind” problem came to me as an epiphany one day. What if I could have fun, enjoy my work, and value my rest while not feeling guilty?

Much has been said about this now, but for me this thought was revolutionary. Enjoy work? Have fun? Don’t be stupid, I have bills to pay! Well… the bills had to be paid whether I was miserable or enjoying myself. Why not try to bring light and joy to what I was doing?

I’ve been working on my own mindset for years now. I’m very conscious of how I feel and the energy I bring into each interaction with those I live and work with. When something at work becomes too stressful, I know how to self-talk, be my own advocate, and know when I need to reach out for support from others. In turn, this has helped me win more sales, be a better advocate for my clients, deepen my personal and professional relationships, and put me in a general mindset of ease and flow.

Try this out for yourself. Next time you are “grinding” through something, stop and ask yourself: “How can I make this even a little more enjoyable?” It could be playing music, lighting a candle, calling your best friend while alphabetizing a stack of papers, or listening to a great audiobook while driving to work. Life is going to throw curveballs at us, so let’s use what power we have to make our little corner of the world delightful and in the flow.

It boils down to making things as fun as you can. Remember the value of rest and when something gets too difficult know when it’s time to walk away. Good things will come your way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At the heart of my real estate business lies a commitment to empowering my clients. What truly sets us apart is not just our expertise, but our approach: infusing every interaction with positivity and understanding, regardless of whether it’s a first-time home buyer or a seasoned investor. My philosophy is simple—real estate is more than just selling homes; it’s about people, their dreams, and their futures.

I’m most proud of our ability to demystify the home-buying and selling process for newcomers. The excitement and gratitude of clients experiencing their first purchase or sale are incredibly rewarding. It reaffirms why we focus heavily on education and patience, taking time to explain the nuances of real estate transactions and ensuring that our clients feel confident and supported every step of the way.

The journey to where I am today wasn’t a straight line—far from it. When I started 10 years ago as an assistant I knew nothing about the world of real estate. Over the years, I have gone to every mastermind class, read all the books, and have surrounded myself with giants of the industry. Eventually becoming one of the top producers in the Atlanta market. I took each new client as an opportunity to learn and improve, helping me refine my approach and services.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of resilience. Staying positive, especially when things don’t go as planned, has not only helped me personally but has also been contagious for my team and clients. Another lesson is the value of relationships. Real estate is inherently a people business, and genuine connections can turn first-time clients into lifelong friends and repeat customers.

I want the world to know that my brand is built on more than transactions. It’s built on trust, positivity, and a passion for making real estate a joyful journey for everyone involved. Our mission goes beyond helping clients find their new home or sell their property; we aim to ensure they feel empowered and excited about what can often be a life-changing experience.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anyone who knows me, will not be surprised for me to suggest a litany of coffee shops here. But let’s start at Dancing Goats Coffee and afterward walk through the stalls at Ponce City Market. Then we will take a stroll along the Eastside Trail of the Beltline, popping into boutiques and shops along the way. For dinner, head to Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall.

The next morning you can find me shoveling down a breakfast burrito at Muchacho, known to anyone who will listen to me, for excellent coffee and tacos. If the weather is nice we can get two scoops of Gooey Butter Cake ice cream at Jeni’s Ice Cream in Glenwood Park followed by an afternoon of exploring the new exhibits at the High Museum. For dinner, we are grabbing dim sum on Buford Highway then ending the night at a comedy club for some laughs. Possibly with one more ice cream before the end of the night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The incredible agents in the Atlanta Real Estate community who are a joy to work with and learn from. Especially my brokerage Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta which is home to some of the top real estate agents and minds in the business. I am constantly growing and learning from standing next to giants.

Website: https://jesseloughman.kw.com/

Instagram: jesseinmidtown

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnloughman