Introduction - Opening the Gates...

I would like to introduce myself to everyone here on SEO's B2B. My name is Jessica Skinner; I am 27 and have been a long time Athenian for over 15 years. I have a beautiful 5 year old daughter name Jesslyn Rose. I graduated from Athens High in 2000, Hocking in 2008 and continuing my education in the fall at Ohio University. I am presently with Athens Realty as a Realtor and enjoying it immensely. What I have encounter frequently already are individuals who are unable to obtain financing or don't know where to begin when buying a home. The majority of these individuals have been local residents wanting to purchase their first home after renting for years or owning a less than adequate home that they simply cannot use any longer.

It is upsetting to me to see a community where there are people who simply cannot afford or lack the resources to acquire a home. I started real estate a bit on a whim but I sincerely feel as though I owe our community something more. Real Estate is a "job" so it is expected that I will need to make sales in order to make a living as well, but I really would prefer to know I was making a difference along the way.

I think too many times, we get caught up in how much money we can make or how successful we can be. But it truly depends on how you rate success. Is it fame, notoriety, money, family, self-worth? Is it a blend of all? I see success from more than one avenue. To me it is about leaving behind something to be proud of - a mark on society.

When I became interested in housing/architecture/and (now) green engineering, I slowly came to realize I was subconsciously trying to make a change towards a better future for my family, friends, and community. I wanted to have a nice home, because I didn't have one. I wanted others to experience the same. I wanted homes to work for their owners. Bills needed to be affordable. How awful to own a home only to not be able to afford to maintain it in the long run? I still want that and am working towards being able to offer that. My triumph will be to make a life for myself and have plenty to share along the way. If I give more than I take, I have found that it all comes back in the long run, just maybe in different form. And all I have is time - so I am more than willing to wait.

I truly love the Athens area and am excited to be a part of the B2B initiative. What is being developed here is something that many other communities can learn from. The offering doesn't seem like much now, but what I see for the future is amazing. Building a group such as this allows each of us small business owners, entrepreneurs and the like to become one voice and therefore gain greater respect and power over the choices and challenges our community faces.

I will be starting a blog soon and sharing my feelings, suggestions and advice as I can. I enjoy feedback and would love to hear everyone else's thoughts as well. A blog feels a bit like a journal, but sometimes sharing our experiences allows us to re-focus and re-evaluate - a trait that many have lost. It's never a bad thing to find out we were wrong or acted out of line - it's a bad thing not to recognize it and learn from it.

Until next time....