Today we’d like to introduce you to JP Peña.
Thanks for sharing your story with us JP. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Since I was a kid, I always had a passion for architecture. I would always carry single sheets of white paper between a book and was always very particular on what I wanted to draw. My mom, being a housekeeper, was the best opportunity I could have gotten. We would wake up at 4 am every morning, take the number four bus from Hollywood to Santa Monica, stop at a McDonalds where I would enjoy my hash browns and having to share my pancakes with my younger sister. There we would get our itinerary, my mom would clean homes from Malibu to the Palisades, Beverly Hills and finish off in the Hollywood Hills. The feeling of experiencing these homes was something incredible. Every home had a different story, a different feeling, a different purpose, and as the day went by, it had a different experience. That’s when I fell in love with design and architecture. I would draw homes every day and I remember making my mom a promise that someday I would be designing my own.
Unfortunately, life had different plans for me. I had a partial scholarship when I finished high school to pursue design and architecture. I turned all that away to join the military. Initially, I was to start Marine Corp boot camp in July of 2002; but unfortunately, our nation got attacked on September 11, 2001. My phone rang that morning and I got a call that would forever change my life. I joined the Marines on September 21st, 2001. Eighteen Years old and headed to war.
In March of 2003, I suffered an accident in Iraq; one in which I literately saw my life pass me by. In the years to come, I had a total of six surgeries. I served a total of eight years in the Marines. When I got out, I wanted to still pursue architecture. School was a lot more difficult and with my ongoing doctor visits and injuries attending full time was impossible. This is when I turned into real estate. What’s the closest thing to designing homes? Selling them!! I would look at all these real estate agents, smiling, looking good with custom suits, nice cars, selling amazing luxury homes, taking vacations. This is exactly what I needed, living the American dream while selling exclusive homes and eventually developing my own properties.
Unfortunately for me, it did not go as planned. To start, no broker wanted to hire me. The fact that I was a Marine, had tattoos, most brokers I interviewed with said I would not be a good fit. In fact, the broker who I had received my real estate classes from, suggested I become a security guard instead. I was broke, homeless, depressed, my wife was pregnant, I turned into alcohol for help. Without realizing I was suffering from intense PTSD, I wanted to end my life and call it quits. My thinking was my life insurance would be enough to provide for my family, I was not good enough and my time had come to an end.
Although this story goes a lot deeper. I now believe in rewriting your story. As veterans, we fear succeeding due to the many brick walls we hit along the way. Not just your average life obstacles, but having to deal with everything you have experienced while serving. Losing brothers to war, injuries you suffer and of course the brotherhood you left behind.
In 2010, as I started my new life and rewriting my own story, I was driving down Sunset Blvd remembering all the homes my mom would clean and the promise I once made her. I came to a stop at an exclusive brokerage. At this point in my life, I did not fear any longer and went in there knowing I would walk out with an opportunity. That day I met with the manager Fran Hughes, while at first, it seems things would not go my way, She then found out about my service in the Marines. She smiled and shared with me she was a Gold Star mother. That day regardless of my experiences or sales record, she took me in and gave me a shot. It was an opportunity she would never regret. That year, I sold over $5 million in real estate and continued to double my sales thereafter. Today, I’m a top producing agent with numerous awards and accolades earn, having design properties, and also developed a few. But my biggest accomplishment has been helping veterans not only achieve homeownership but also create massive breakthroughs in their lives after service in the military. Helping one vet at a time, rewrite their story and become their own success.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, and as my business grows I still continue to get obstacles and challenges. The only difference is that I’m better prepared, have learned from my mistakes and can solve problems a lot faster. While in the military, I used to blueprints giving to me with “plan b” in the event something went wrong. Once I got out of the military, I soon realize that was not an option. So, overcoming circumstances and obstacles was a lot harder. One of the biggest struggles many people in sales deal with is getting into a productive routine. We are too busy grinding, trying to get that next deal, we forget about process, systems and procedures that help keep our business growing. This was a big challenge for me to overcome, but well worth it once I started implementing. Always remember non-refundable minutes, time is the one thing money can’t buy. Spend it wisely.
The Jp Group powered by Compass – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m known as the Marine realtor. I have been advising clients with their real estate needs for over 15 years now. From helping veterans learn about utilizing their benefits to purchase a home, to running numbers on an acquisition deal for an investor looking to develop a spec-home or multi-units. What sets me apart is my approach to every deal. While many focus on commissions, I’m truly driven by relationships. For me, that’s more important. Also, my marketing approach is very unique. I’m a storyteller and I make sure that every property I represent, gets their story told in a way that creates a powerful impact. This gives my sellers the offers they want, the terms they want, and off-course, a great experience. I’m proud to say that our company values align with just that and it definitely makes a big difference when deciding who you want to work with.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Great question. Success for me is finding fulfillment in what you’re doing. Having the ability to lead others to create the same outcome, live a better life, have freedom of time and enjoy creating many memories. legacy baby!! Now, if you would have asked me this question when I was 25, the answer would have been a whole lot different. I’m sure a trip to vegas, a Ferrari and jumping into a pile of money would have been in a sentence or two. Now, it’s about the small things that make a big impact. Having my daughter attend the best gymnastic school in LA and being able to attend all her competitions. The yearly family vacations, the improv weekend getaways. Weekly date nights with my wife so we can focus on our marriage and how we can improve. This is a success for me.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8560 Sunset Blvd 3rd Floor West Hollywood, CA 90069
- Phone: (323) 632-9904
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @thejppena
- Facebook: facebook.com/johnpaulpena
Image Credit:
Photo: Jon Endow
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