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Jade Ajose on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jade Ajose. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Jade, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of is the discipline it takes to just keep showing up. A lot of what I do isn’t glamorous — it’s weekends at open houses, hours of lead generation, constant follow-up. Those are the parts no one claps for, but they’re what really build the foundation. It’s taught me that consistency matters more than quick wins.

I’ve also learned not to let other people’s opinions get too close. The higher you aim, the more noise there is — and if you let it in, it can take you off course. For me, it’s about trusting my gut, staying grounded, and reminding myself of what I’m capable of. Sometimes that means letting go of things that don’t serve me. Sometimes it means giving myself permission to dream a little bigger than feels comfortable.

And the older I get, the more I realize it’s not just about chasing big goals — it’s about building a life that actually makes me happy, a life that feels peaceful. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t think I’m supposed to. I just know if I keep showing up with integrity, discipline, and belief, piece by piece it all comes together. And right now, that makes me feel proud, grounded, and grateful.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Jadé Ajose. I’m the founder of JahDay Real Estate and JahDay, Inc., and at the heart of everything I do — whether it’s real estate or brand partnerships — it really comes down to people.

Through JahDay Real Estate, I have the privilege of guiding entertainers, athletes, executives, and families through some of the biggest decisions of their lives. It’s not just about closing a deal or selling a house — it’s about trust, relationships, and helping people step into spaces that reflect where they’re headed. I love being a steady voice during moments that can feel overwhelming, and making sure the human element is never lost.

With JahDay, Inc., my work has always been rooted in culture. I’ve spent over a decade leading campaigns for brands like Booking.com, Samsonite, Diageo, and Verizon, and collaborating with cultural icons including Kobe Bryant. But honestly, I’ve always just had that natural pull toward what’s lit — what’s trending, what feels fresh, what everyone’s leaning into before it hits the mainstream. A big part of JahDay, Inc. is taking that instinct with me everywhere I go, using culture as the vessel to build partnerships that actually resonate. For me, authenticity isn’t just a value, it’s the filter. Every project is about creating connections that feel real, and building work that speaks to where culture is now — and where it’s headed.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that’s shaped me most is the one I had with my parents. My mom was such a force — a strong Black woman, proudly Nigerian, who carried herself like royalty and expected excellence. In my family, breaking boundaries wasn’t something you hoped for, it was just understood. She never really accepted ‘no.’ If you told her she couldn’t do something, she’d find a way to do it anyway — and do it beautifully. That taught me to dream big, but also to put my head down and work for it.

My dad carries that same energy. A proud Nigerian man whose presence fills a room, he’s always led with purpose and pride. Right now, he’s in the process of opening one of the largest malls in Lagos — and seeing him take on something of that scale at this stage in his life continues to inspire me. It reminds me that thinking big and building boldly isn’t just something you do once, it’s a mindset you carry. That confidence poured into me early. I grew up being taught to take up space. Nigerians have this powerful, bold energy — a pride in our roots that doesn’t bend and a resilience that never wavers. Being around that spirit has always fueled me, and it’s a big part of why I feel called to move back to Lagos — to stay close to that energy and keep building from it.

That foundation gave me the courage to bet on myself. In my first year with JahDay, Inc., I ended up producing an event with Michael B. Jordan. At the time it felt almost surreal, but looking back, it was really just a reflection of the values my parents raised me with — resilience, confidence, and belief in what’s possible. Those lessons still carry me in everything I do today, whether it’s negotiating a brand deal or guiding someone through a home purchase.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Baby girl, you’re not too much. And I know it’s not going to feel fair sometimes — as a young Black woman with talent, heart, and vision, it’s going to be harder than you ever thought. People will overlook you, underestimate you, even try to quiet you. And a lot of people will get in your way — but trust me, nobody can stop what God already has for you.

You’re going to have to tune out a lot of noise. Lean on the confidence and faith Mom poured into you, and don’t ever forget your worth. You’ll fall, you’ll doubt yourself, but you’ll always rise. And one day, you’ll look up and see that you’ve built a life your younger self wouldn’t even believe was possible.
So keep going, baby girl. Trust your gut. Hold onto who you are — because she’s going to take you farther than you could ever imagine.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — the public version of me is really me. I’ve never been good at playing a role or watering myself down. What you see is what you get.
Hip-hop has always been part of who I am, and Nipsey Hussle in particular has inspired me — not just because of his music, but because of what he stood for: ownership, community, and purpose. That energy is something I try to carry into everything I do.

The older I get, the more I realize authenticity is what really sells. People can always tell when you’re not being real — and if you’re not grounded in who you are, it eventually shows. The best agents have their own spin and bring their own flavor — because at the end of the day, you are your business. I think that’s why millennials are reshaping what professionalism looks like. We don’t have to hide the pieces of ourselves that make us unique in order to be taken seriously.

Real estate has grounded me in that lesson. It’s a business where what you put in is exactly what you get back. The discipline, the consistency, the showing up every day — it all adds up. And at the same time, it’s taught me that peace comes from being seen as who you really are. Nipsey said it best: ‘It’s not on you, it’s in you — and what’s in you, they can’t take away.’ That’s the reminder I carry with me, and it’s what keeps me moving forward.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply is the power of belief. The people who will thrive in the future aren’t always the ones with the perfect résumé or the loudest voice — it’s the ones who quietly back themselves, even when nobody else does. That kind of belief shifts energy and creates space for everything else to align.
For me, confidence comes from the soul. It’s not about titles or recognition — it’s about knowing who you are, blocking out the noise, and choosing peace over distractions. That’s what keeps me steady and moving forward.

At my core, I’m a really positive person. I believe in people and I believe in possibility. And while things feel heavy in the world right now, I hold onto the hope that we’ll get back to leading with optimism and kindness. It’s not always easy, but I understand now why Michelle Obama said, ‘When they go low, we go high.’ Because when you choose to rise above and vibrate at a higher level, you carry yourself differently — and that’s what opens the door to building something better.

I think as a society, we’re going to find our way back to that — back to positivity, back to integrity, back to believing in each other.”

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