Meet Jontanna Greene | Real Estate Professional

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

Hi Jontanna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was not the most traditional, I’ll say. In my case it was one, doing what would be best for my health; second thought being what (career) could change the trajectory of your family. Unpacking what’s best for my health; June of this year I will celebrate 10 years as a liver transplant recipient. I have Autoimmune Hepatitis, which is a chronic life-threatening autoimmune liver disease where inflammation in the liver occurs when the immune system attacks the liver. I was diagnosed with that the age of 17. At the age of 24 I received liver transplant and I thought all of my prayers had been answered (and they had)! I did a full 180! For years I had been on medical withdrawals, “disabled”, in and out of the hospital, etc. so following my transplant recovery I was able to go back to college, which was the most important to me. I’d always dreamt of becoming an elementary school teacher so I knew I had to finish college to do so. I immediately enrolled back in school. I got a job. I literally did all the things that I once thought was impossible for someone dealing with the health issues that I was dealing with! Fast forward to 2020, I finally graduated!!!! I obtained my Bachelors from Kennesaw State University in Elementary Education and I couldn’t have been more proud of myself especially as a First Generation College Grad! I was hired in Fulton County, teaching in Sandy Springs at one of the best schools in Georgia as a third grade teacher and you know, I thought I was living the dream. It never really crossed my mind to even own a business (at least not so soon). Now, being a teacher (of elementary school ages), you’re exposed to all kinds of germs… not the most conducive environment for someone autoimmune but who was going to stop me? I had made it this far so I just knew I was fine. Towards the end of 2020 I ended up catching Covid and things kind of spiraled from there. At the top of 2021 we begin to notice that I was starting to lose weight over the years. My weight would fluctuate, but nothing out of the ordinary or too concerning, but this time was a little different. Within a matter of roughly 3 months, I think I had lost about 20 maybe even 25 pounds at that point my doctors begin to worry. By June of 2021, I ended up being hospitalized and diagnosed with yet another autoimmune disease— ulcerative colitis; inflammation in the digestive tract. Up to the point of my diagnosis, I was so fatigued. My energy levels were like depleted. I was in so much pain whenever I would have flareups like it was just it was horrible. It was a horrible experience, I was in and out of the hospital. I was steady losing weight… I was just uncomfortable. I had many moments of feeling like I was incapable of giving my students what they needed or being what they need it. There were so many days that I just felt like I had nothing left to give. I was so drained— I was trying to learn this new medical condition, trying to show up at 100% every day for my students, trying to show up in my personal life, was just so much going on and not having the UC under control really took a toll on me. Because my diagnosis was so fresh I was being called to the doctor at random times I was having to have blood transfusions iron transfusions like it was so bad and so I got to a point where I was like OK! All along my doctor, even before graduating college, had advised that you know that wasn’t the best career choice for me however, I felt like from the age of 17. I never really had a in what my life looked like. I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that I could become a teacher, with an autoimmune deficiency and be okay! Teaching was what I’d always dreamt of doing & so i did it, against doctors wishes, until I got tired. I had to realize that I was sacrificing my own health to prove that I was capable! The real moment of truth came January 2022. I was hospitalized after having flareup after flareup none of the treatments working so I was like into OK what now? I had been noticing a friend of mine (Ariane Ellsberry) posting on social media about her real estate business— seeing her growth, her testimony, stepping out on faith & something told me to reach out to her. When I reached out to her, I gave her a brief overview of what I had been dealing with, how I had been feeling—lost and feeling defeated and not knowing what was next, being that my degree is in elementary education, so I felt like my options were very slim. She was very transparent, very knowledgeable, and very helpful. She assured me that if I began my own business one, I would have the flexibility to take care of myself healthwise. I could you know I would I would be able to get things under control with my health. She mentioned the endless opportunities in real estate; fact that it could change that trajectory of my and the generations to come. Most importantly, she told me that she would not let me fail. I took about two weeks, I prayed on it. I talked to my family, friends and lastly, I went to my doctor. I went to my doctor and I basically told him I was tired. He then wrote a resignation letter for me to give to leadership at my school after that I had two weeks left in the classroom. Oh my goodness by far the hardest two weeks ever it was such an emotional roller coaster. I could not believe I was making the decision that I was making. From that point on, my mindset was full time entrepreneur.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Becoming a full-time entrepreneur has not been easy whatsoever. As I mentioned, I resigned from the classroom, took a couple months off, then enrolled in real estate school. I enrolled in the two week class about 6 hours a day in person; I was ready, I was committed. I knew what was needed for me becoming a business owner. The last week of real estate school I ended up back in the hospital risking being dropped from the class and having to start over. There was no way I was going to let that happen. I was in my hospital bed with my iPad, notebook, books, highlighters, etc. attending a virtual class because I was not willing to be dropped. I ended up finishing the class on time then I went on to study for the exams and getting my license. I obtained my license December 2022 and I hit the ground running. Being new to real estate, I didn’t know as much as I thought I knew I thought it was gonna be a walk in the park. I was one of those people that I knew if I worked hard, I would be great at it. I knew that I had support and I knew that I was eager to learn. With that said I closed my first deal in less than 60 days… I just knew all of my deals were gonna come to me like that but boy was I wrong. Now we’re in February 2023 and my grandmother who had been battling cancer, became critically ill. The cancer came back and it just seemed like she started to decline out of nowhere. Growing up I was always extremely close to with grandma, I am the first grandchild. I’m the first everything so she and I had an extremely close relationship. Watching her transition was by far the hardest thing I had to do. I found myself so grateful though because I was now in a position of flexibility. She transitioned April of 2023 & my world completely shifted. Regardless of what I’ve dealt with in my personal life, I still have a business to run. It has not been easy, but God has kept me!!!! God has been my saving grace, literally the only way I’ve overcome challenges I face.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places to eat in the city are Le Colonial, Tulum kitchen and bar, Pappadeaux is still a place that I enjoy every now and then & Eight Sushi. I am one of those people that will literally eat the same things over and over so I am at one of these places all the time. If I had to pick somewhere to hang out— my new favorite hangout spot is the gym. As for nightlife, my favorite places would have to be Xperience & Blue. Nowadays, my time is so tied up in real estate and networking events that I really don’t know where the new cool hangout spots are. I’d say going to see a movie is fun but I can’t tell you the last time I’ve done that 😅. I do enjoy trying new things though! I wanna try a cooking class!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ariane Ellsberry

Instagram: jontanna_

Linkedin: Jontanna Greene

Facebook: Jontanna Rose

Image Credits
Jasmine (@jlaviiphotography) Jay Nelson (@jaynelson.1) Stephen Michael (@stephenxmichael) Ashley (@bratsnapzphotography)