We had the good fortune of connecting with Juavette Pulliam Johansen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juavette, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I use to work for University of California Berkeley. I worked there for 16 years as an Accounting Analyst. Suddenly UC Berkeley was going through budget cuts and my department was one of the first departments to be cut and everyone was laid off. That was a turning point for me. I could have gotten another job in another department because I had seniority but I thought if they lay you off once then they can lay you off again. Prior to the lay off I had taken some real estate classes at the junior colleges in Oakland California. Even though I had absolutely no experience in Real Estate, besides by my home, I decided that I was going to become a realtor. I wanted a career that would not give anyone the power to tell me when I can and cannot work. I wanted to have more control of my financial destination as well as the flexibility to spend with my 2 boys. A lot of people may have thought to go from a Corporate job with a guarantee income to a career that is commission only as a single mom is risky. But I felt being an employee is risky. I always knew my strong work ethic and I knew that no matter what I did I would be ok. After 2 years as a Realtor I opened up my own Real Estate Brokerage Bridgeway Realty where I have been a Broker Owner for 20 years. In addition 13 years ago I incorporated Life Insurance & annuities into my Business and I not only do I have a team of real estate agents in California but I also have a Team of Life Insurance & Annuity Specialist Nationwide

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?
In my Firm Bridgeway Realty we help people with their real estate needs as well as Life Insurance & Retirement Planning. About 7 years ago I joined The National Association of Real Estate Brokers ( NAREB) which is the Real Estate Brokerage for African Americans and became a “Realtist” At that point I really began to focus on Black Wealth. I started a Curriculum called Get on FIRE ( Finance – Insurance-Real Estate- Entrepreneurship ) The 4 Pillars to build Multi Generational Wealth. Our Moto is Build Wealth – Real Estate Protect Wealth – Life Insurance
Preserve Wealth – Estate Planning

My Business Partner Linda dams and I just started our Chocolate City Tour where we are going to 16 cities that have a high population of African Americans and our goal is to Insure Black America by helping at least 1000 families in each city to use life insurance to Build, Protect & preserve Wealth. Our goal is to demystify the misconceptions around life insurance and make people more aware how to use it as a vehicle to build wealth.

This of course will be a journey but we know in the long run we will make a huge impact in our community as well as the generations coming up behind us

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?
I would fist take them to the Santa Monica Pier. The boardwalk has some great shops as well as some great restaurants with all types of food. During our time on the pier we would rent bikes and go for a nice bike ride. Of course after the long back ride we would have to rest and just sit on the beach and relax

The next day we would go to Terranea resort for a relaxing day of spa and great food and do absolutely nothing just relax

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?
I would like to fist give a shoutout to husband Michael Johansen. From the day I first met Michael he told me I was going to be his wife. Of course I thought he was totally crazy but 5 years later we were married. Michael was a great Business mentor to me. He helped me to build my real estate brokerage and more than that he taught me to believe in me. Unfortunately 5 days after Michael and I were married he was diagnosed with Terminal cancer and given only 6 months to live. Michael lived for 18 months after his diagnosis and even though he has been gone for 13 years he is still with me pushing me forward everyday.

In addition I want to give a Shoutout to Jill Johnson. I met Jill shortly after Michael died and she became my mentor not just in business but in Life as well. Jill has helped me to incorporate a Life Insurance & Annuity division into my brokerage and she has helped me to expand my business nationwide.

Website: womensfinanceinstitute.com

Instagram: WFI (@womensfinanceinstitute)

Linkedin: Juavette Pulliam Johansen

Facebook: Bridgeway Realty & Financial Services

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