Meet Jennifer Cristofaro | Realtor, Non-Profit Co-Founder, Family Empowerment Advocate

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

Hi Jennifer, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I was an entrepreneur for a long time trying to make a name for myself and build wealth. I launched so many businesses and eventually each one failed, although I never gave up. I was resilient. I compared myself to a sand-filled, clown-faced punching bag. Every time I got knocked down, I’d pop right back up. That’s the way of a dreamer. You can’t keep us down. We learn from every venture and move on to the next with more wisdom and experience.

However, it wasn’t the resiliency that was the key to my success, even though it was an important factor. When measured by wealth, success is something we never truly reach because as humans, we always want more. Gratitude and contentment are real standards we should measure success by. I started becoming truly successful when I stopped making my life about me. I traveled to Belize and the Lord broke my heart for some young men living in extreme poverty. They just needed opportunity and as a dreamer, I wanted them to have it as bad as I wanted it for myself. When I started focusing on how to make a change in the lives of others, my life started getting really good.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m a Realtor with Gibson Real Estate in Northwest Arkansas. I actually just finished school to get my executive broker’s license. There is nothing exciting about that as there are thousands of realtors in NWA, but my story is a little different.

What sets me apart is that I’m driven by the opportunity to help people and this is only by the grace and goodness of God. I’m nothing special. When I help people find the perfect home for their family, secure an investment property, or capitalize on the sale of their property, then I’m ultimately able to feed and empower people in my community and Belize City. It’s a win/win. That fuels me. I love seeing people pursue their dreams and watching them be empowered to be who God created them to be. We turn our passion into our purpose. Empowered people, empower people.

My business started out very slow, but as I started getting more and more involved in the community, my business started to grow. This wasn’t something that I set out to do, but it is something I’m very grateful for. When there are thousands of agents, it means something when your friends choose you – when they trust you with one of the biggest purchases they are making.

Basically, my success (gratitude and contentment) was just a by-product of living an authentic life I was passionate about. I started a non-profit food truck called, For The Love, with my friends during Covid to safely gather people and meet a tangible need of hunger. As a result of that, I naturally met more people which grew my real estate career.

My advice for anyone would be to find out what you are passionate about. What breaks your heart? How can you use your gifts and talents to help others. You have a platform with your business. Use it for good. Step outside of your comfort zone. Instead of focusing on building wealth, focus outward. You will be tempted by comparison and money. Don’t fall for it. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. It will change your life in the very best way!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Bentonville Arkansas is arguably the best small town in the United States. I am a super fan! If I had a guest in town, we would start out at Ozark Mountain Bagels, walk the trails to Crystal Bridges Museum, ride bikes to the various boutiques downtown (Remedy Road, Label, Blue Moon, Southern Style) and to The Momentary. Grab wood-fired pizza from Pedlar’s Pub, walk Coler and grab a coffee in the middle of the trail from Airship. We’d make sure not to miss a local event, First Friday or the Farmer’s Market. We’d smile and say hello to everyone passing by because this is the friendliest town ever.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been completely transformed. My journey started out as a fearful, insecure, people-pleasing girl who had something to prove. I need to work hard, look good, and be liked to feel worthy of love and acceptance. I had a random heart attack at 32 that left me with crippling anxiety and a friend of mine said that she felt led to walk beside me during that time. Cheryl Smith spoke life into me, prayed for me, encouraged me, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and taught me what it really looked like to really give my life to Jesus. I had been going to church before, but I wasn’t really living for Christ. I was living for me. This relationship changed my life because it pushed me toward truth, toward hope, toward Jesus. I am forever grateful and forever changed. I am truly free now. I am in no way perfect, but I don’t struggle with fear, insecurity, or people-pleasing like I once did and I’m so grateful.

Another person who has had a profound impact on my life is my friend, Julie Miguel, in Belize City, Belize. I had always been captivated by people like her, people I had only previously read about in books. I was amazed at how she gave her life away to care for the impoverished in her community. She did not hold anything back. She freely gave her business, her resources, her talent, and her time. I like to call her the Mother Theresa of Belize. When I met her, it was a life changing moment – like time stood still for a second. I didn’t want to miss this. I didn’t want to go back to America and forgot all that I saw. I wanted to learn more. So I pursued a relationship with her. I think at first she thought I was this crazy white girl who wouldn’t leave her alone, but after time, a deep friendship emerged. She became my mentor and my friend. She taught me what it looked like to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Website: https://www.gibsonrealtors.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jencristofaro/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jencristofaro/

Image Credits
Scott C Wood Photography Nikka Horschig