Life has a way of steering you into work that fits your heart, even when it’s far from what you first imagined.

 

I always thought teaching elementary school would be my lifelong career. Since my high school days as a camp counselor, I have loved working with kids. It was fun, meaningful work—but life took me down an unexpected path that’s been just as fulfilling.

 

The shift began when I met my husband, Rob, while I was in under-graduate school at the University of Florida. (I’m a seventh-generation Floridian who loves living along the Emerald Coast and can’t imagine living anywhere else.) A friend introduced us, and Rob's sense of humor won me over—he was dressed head-to-toe as a gorilla at a Halloween party. Twenty-seven years later, we’re still married.

 

After eventually earning my master’s in elementary education, I began teaching first grade and special education while Rob and I built our life together. I loved teaching children to read, watching their progress, and seeing their faces light up with “aha” moments.

 

When we raised our children—Kyle, Sarah, and Robby—I wanted to be as present as possible. I was fortunate enough to stay home with them during their early years. We settled in Gulf Breeze, a small town surrounded by water, and filled our days with sailing, fishing, playing with our dogs and spending time with family. I discovered a love for cooking and diving into complicated recipes like crème brûlée.

 

But eventually, as Rob jokingly noted, I was making a few too many crème brûlées. The kids were older, needed me less, and I had a lot of free time. My plan had always been to return to teaching, but Rob suggested something different: joining him in real estate and mortgages. He owned a mortgage company—still does—and thought we’d make a great team.

 

Around that time, our son was diagnosed with cancer and underwent a full year of treatment. It was an incredibly difficult period, but it brought our family even closer. Thankfully, he’s healthy now. By the end of his treatment, I was convinced I wanted to work alongside Rob and become closer as a team.

 

Real estate turned out to be a natural fit. It allows me to connect with people at pivotal moments in their lives. Buying or selling a home is a huge decision with far-reaching implications. A home is more than just walls and a roof—it’s a safe space where dreams are nurtured. Helping clients through such an important decision is both an honor and a responsibility I take seriously.

 

Today, our children are grown—Kyle in his 30s, Sarah and Robby in their 20s. I still love the outdoors. We sail our little boat, go camping and hiking, and support local theater whenever we can. I also volunteer with the largest Impact 100 chapter in the world, where I serve on the Arts, Culture and History Committee that funds musicians, art schools, theater companies, as well as other local programs.

 

Rob and I are still a work team; he handles the paperwork behind the scenes, and I thrive on direct client interaction. My journey may have started in the classroom, but it’s led me to a career that’s equally rewarding—just in a different way.

 

I approach real estate first and foremost as a listener. I pay close attention not only to what clients say they want but also to how they react when they see a home, because people often discover their true priorities only when they experience them firsthand. By observing carefully and asking the right questions, I help clients clarify their goals and guide them toward the home that genuinely fits their needs.

 

One of my favorite parts of this work is the personal connection I build with clients. I’m naturally curious about who they are, what matters to them, and how they hope to live, so that I can support them in finding what they need. Commission is never my main motivator; my focus is on connection, caring for clients, and making the process as easy as possible. Buying or selling can be stressful, and I aim to be a calming voice of reason who simplifies each step. I respect clients’ time, tastes, and preferences—and I especially enjoy walking first-time buyers through the process with patience and empathy.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jenny Rushing

REALTOR®

Primary 850-776-2959

Office 850-629-6513

Jenny@rushingpartners.com

rushingpartners.com