7 minute read
Rising Stars, Meredith Rowe and Amy Wojaczyk with The Real Brokerage ~ August 2024
Congratulations to our Rising Stars for August 2024, Meredith Rowe and Amy Wojaczyk with The Real Brokerage.
By Jess Wellar | Photos By The Real Estateographers
Neither Meredith Rowe nor Amy Wojaczyk have ever met a stranger. Although both women hail from vastly different backgrounds, the two instantly clicked while hosting an open house together last April. Since then, the pair have been inseparable as they continue to inspire each other while building incredible momentum in the Jacksonville market.
“We’re very collaborative and encourage each other constantly,” Amy shares. “We do compete, but only with each other as we’re always afraid the other is going to outwork us!” Meredith laughs and nods her head in agreement.
“We’re an unofficial team, but we’re basically ‘work wives,’”she adds with a smile. The duo jokes that Amy brings the Northern sass, while Meredith balances things out with her Southern charm; a combination that leads to excellent customer relationships.
Winding Roads to Real Estate
Both Amy and Meredith had plenty of colorful life experiences before they met. Hailing from a small town in North Carolina, Meredith attended UNC-Wilmington where she double majored in elementary education and psychology, but notes she has always been a creative soul. She managed a real estate brokerage throughout her college career, and fell in love with the industry quickly.
“After marrying my husband, I spent 15 years in photography and marketing, which was always a natural extension of my creative, extroverted spirit,” she recalls. Meredith homeschooled her two sons while growing as an entrepreneur, but always looked forward to a day when she could return to real estate.
Eventually, as her children grew older, her love for people and her outgoing nature drew her back to real estate full time. Amy’s journey from central Pennsylvania to Jacksonville is equally dynamic.
Growing up with a single mother who worked tirelessly, Amy developed an unmatched work ethic. Despite turning down a college scholarship and entering the workforce, she found corporate life unfulfilling. “Once I mastered a job, it lost its appeal,” Amy recalls.
Her journey included a transformative stint at LA Weight Loss, where she rose from sales to VP of Training and Development.
In 2005, Amy left the workforce to raise her children. It was during that time she truly embraced her entrepreneurial spirit — from reselling her children’s clothes to a direct sales company that ended with a mobile boutique.
A family vision board set their sights on Florida. After returning to corporate life as a recruiter, she had the opportunity to open a Florida office for the company.
“We moved from New Jersey to Florida, but a year later, I was downsized,” Amy offers. “After taking some time to recharge, I felt ready for my next adventure!”
Making The Leap
The transition to real estate was a natural evolution for both women. Meredith’s return to the industry was sparked by a newfound flexibility after her sons began attending a hybrid school. She prayed about the decision and to this day, continues to lean into her faith while trusting in the Lord’s plan for her.
“I had always dreamed of returning to real estate. It allowed me to blend my customer service and marketing skills with my passion for helping people,” she explains. “My faith, however, is the foundation of my life; success for me is really just finding a path to thrive using the talents and experiences God has given me and trusting He will provide.”
For Amy, it was a helpful nudge from her stepbrother during Christmas 2021 that was the ultimate catalyst. “He said, ‘If you don’t go get your real estate license, you’re not allowed on the boat next year!’ That was the push I needed,” she laughs. Amy’s relentless drive and extroverted personality quickly found a home in the real estate world.
“I love helping people through one of the most challenging times in their lives. Whether it’s building a home from out of state or organizing a pantry, I go all in for my customers,” she emphasizes.
Collaboration and Success
Since meeting at an open house, Amy and Meredith have become an unstoppable force. Their combined energy and work ethic have led to remarkable success.
Last year, Amy and Meredith closed 24 transactions and their combined efforts exceeded $10.5 million. For 2024, their ambitions are even higher. Both have projections that see them doubling their numbers from last year.
“Our goal for 2024 is not just about hitting numbers, but about continuing to build trust and lasting relationships with every transaction,” Meredith quickly points out.
Guiding the Next Generation
Recently, Amy and Meredith have begun working on a mentorship program, recognizing their knack for innovation and success through non-traditional methods. Both women leverage social media and networking to grow their client base.
“We’ve had so many people ask us how we do what we do. It’s sparked the idea of collaboration over competition, which is the foundation of our mentorship program,” Meredith notes. “We’re starting small for now, but hope to ultimately expand and reach agents everywhere.”
“The program aims to support both new and seasoned agents, offering guidance on everything from marketing to client relations,” Amy adds.
Life Beyond the Office Outside of work, both women lead fulfilling lives centered around family. Meredith has been married to Andrew for 15 years, and together they have two sons, Jonah (15) and Ezra (12).
“When we aren’t on a soccer field, we love outdoor adventures — beach days, hiking, and we even lived on a 250-squarefoot boat for a year in the Keys,” she chuckles.
Their dog, Jake, a hundred-pound wolf-a-doodle (Irish wolfhound and poodle), is a beloved member of the family as well.
Meredith is also actively involved in charity work, supporting organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Okoa Refuge, and Compassion International, as well as working closely with her church, Eleven22.
Amy, too, treasures family time with her husband of 19 years, Chip, who retired from the police force before the couple left New Jersey, and their three children: Aliyah (22), Richard (19), and Addyson (17).
“As a family, dinner around the table is really important to us, though the times with everyone there aren’t as frequent as they used to be,” Amy affirms. “Trips to Disney and the beach bring us all together for quality time.”
The Wojaczyk family also includes 4-year-olds Milo, a Cockapoo, and Luna, a Maltipoo.
As Amy approaches becoming an empty-nester, she looks forward to less running around, more ‘me’ time and more frequent date nights with her husband.
On The Horizon
Amy and Meredith have plenty of ambitious plans for the future. Both women are in the process of obtaining their broker associate licenses and are open to the possibility of building an official team together someday.
Meredith dreams of expanding her business and possibly obtaining licenses in North and South Carolina. Amy shares a similar vision.
“We’re hoping to finish our broker licenses by the end of summer. Professionally, we want to continue growing and helping more clients, and also help grow other agents.” she concludes.
