Meet Tiana Jacobson | Licensed Real Estate Agent and Advisor

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

Hi Tiana, how do you think about risk?
There’s a quote that I have on my white board in my mudroom, it reads: If you do what is hard life is easy, If you do what is easy life is hard. This is how I feel about risk. It’s hard to step outside of the box, breaks chains or go against the grain, but that’s where all the growth is. I have always been somewhat of a risk taker, but my risks have become more calculated as I’ve gotten older. Risk taking will be hard but the reward is knowledge and growth. In real estate I took the risk to invest a lot of time and money (both of which I did not have when I started out), but I told myself, if I just show up and say yes to as many things as possible, I will find success!
I also find that so many obstacles arise when you’re trying to make positive change, but you just have to put one foot in front of the other. When I started my real estate career, I was in a small farming community in Northern Illinois and it was hard. Purchase prices were low, buyers were few and far between and inventory was scarce. I had to grind but I learned so much about the the real estate market and myself. I helped people in a way that wasn’t about making a lot of money, because the commissions were pretty low, but it was more about being there for during transitional times in their lives and forming relationships. Becoming a licensed agent was a risk I would take over and over again.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a real estate agent in Colorado Springs and I love what I do. I have a passion for interior design, architecture and helping people. Growing up in Chicago, I remember going downtown and just falling in love with the architecture; the brownstones, the skyscrapers, the marble and stone. Combining my love for pretty things and my desire to help people is what brought me here. When I meet a new client, I see them and I want to know their story. I have worked with people to sell estates after a death. I have also worked with newlyweds buying their first home, and couples going through divorce. I have worked with families who were moving into their forever homes, relocating or building a home from the ground up. In each of these scenarios, people need a real estate advisor but they also need compassion, patience and friendship.

My guiding principles are knowledge, advocacy and compassion in real estate transactions. As long as I keep those three things in focus, my mindset doesn’t shift. But, boy, it is not easy! In this career, my success depends solely on me! There’s no one to blame when I mess up and no one is there to make my business thrive. That is equal parts terrifying and exhilarating.

I know I’m crazy but that’s part of the reason I love it. Overcoming challenges is just about setting long term goals based on your ‘why’, and putting one foot in front of the other. When the odds seem insurmountable, just show up! My ‘why’ is my family, and leaving a legacy for my children and my community. I want that for my clients as well. I thrive to create tailored experiences for my clients and I am passionate about helping them build generational wealth through real estate. If I stay focused on that, anything is possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love Colorado Springs! I have forced many friends and family to come visit me, so I already have a few regular spots. As far as activities go, I love taking people to Cave of the Winds. The views are unreal and who doesn’t love a cave tour. The kids always love the obstacle course and sluicing for gems. Kids and adults also love Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Some other crowd pleasers are also drives up to Pikes Peak or to Woodland Park and Cripple Creek, especially if a gold mine tour is involved. A good hike is a must. My favorite hikes in town is Austin Bluffs Open Space and around Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Heading out to the Royal Gorge always a favorite if there’s time.

Also, Colorado Springs is really upping it’s food game and I am here for it! I love Atmosphere Gastropub and for a super special date night, Carlos Bistro is an experience. Coati is such a fun and unique spot; with my favorite place just around the corner, Cork & Cask. Of course we’d do Urban Egg for brunch and mimosas and UVA wine bar at night. There are so many fun places popping up and never a lack of things to do here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course I would thank my mother, who showed me that a career in real estate was an option. She has been in real estate on and off for two decades. We didn’t have much growing up but she made strategic choices that changed the trajectory of my life from a young age. She moved from the inner city to an affluent suburb, which gave us good schools but most importantly opened my eyes to what was possible. We had humble means but I saw other families going on vacations, living in large homes and having time, flexibility and choices. I know it wasn’t easy for her but this was the most meaningful action that she could have taken to set me up for success. I am grateful that she opened that pathway for me.

Another pivotal moment in going down this path was a book called, ‘You Are A Badass’ by Jen Sincero. I remember reading this book when I was a mom with very small children and feeling so empowered by her words. I was a little lost at that point, feeling like a shell of myself and not knowing how to find independent joy and purpose. This book gave me permission to put fear aside and set lofty goals, to try things that seemed out of the box, to give myself permission to fail and most of all to find my inner badass. After reading her book, I decided to try out this thing called real estate.

Website: TianaJacobson.com

Instagram: @tianajacobsonrealtor

Facebook: Tiana Jacobson-Engel & Völkers Real Estate Advisor Colorado Springs