I stopped seeing my nontraditional path as a disadvantage and started seeing it as my superpower. Success is about having the courage to build your own.
Janelle Jacques · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Janelle
Janelle Jacques is a New Home Specialist with D.R. Horton and a licensed Florida Real Estate Instructor, specializing in new construction throughout Central Florida. She works closely with homebuyers and Realtors to navigate new-home communities, builder incentives, financing opportunities, contracts, construction timelines, and the path from initial home search to closing.
Before entering real estate, Janelle spent more than 10 years in the insurance and risk management industry, developing extensive experience in client relations, risk management, and consultative service. She later earned her real estate license during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially intending to support her husband's real estate investment activities.
Her path ultimately led her to new-home sales. After experiencing the new-construction process personally and recognizing the rapid residential growth occurring throughout Central Florida, Janelle saw an opportunity to combine her professional background with her passion for real estate and homeownership.
Over the past five years, she has built her career in new-home sales with national homebuilders in Florida, helping buyers understand everything from builder incentives and interest-rate programs to available inventory and the differences between purchasing a resale property and building or purchasing a brand-new home. Her work now extends across Central Florida, with a particular emphasis on helping Realtors identify new-construction opportunities for their clients and assisting buyers relocating to the region.
Janelle's experience working alongside Realtors inspired the next chapter of her career: real estate education. After becoming a licensed Florida Real Estate Instructor, she developed Fundamentals of New Construction for Real Estate Professionals, an educational course designed to give Realtors a behind-the-scenes understanding of the builder process and greater confidence when representing new-construction buyers.
Her goal is to help bridge the gap between Realtors, builders, and homebuyers through education and collaboration—creating stronger partnerships while helping more families successfully navigate new construction.
Beyond real estate, Janelle remains passionate about economic empowerment, professional development, women's leadership, and community engagement. Her background includes participation in community initiatives and representing Ms. Kissimmee in the Ms. Corporate America Pageant.
Today, Janelle continues to build her professional platform around Central Florida new construction, Realtor education, and relocation, using her experience in sales, risk management, and education to serve as a resource for both real estate professionals and homebuyers throughout the region.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say it's being the oldest of 10 kids. Being the oldest of 10 kids, I was considered like the second mom, you know? I had to help my siblings with their homework, and like, help them with food, and like, it just created this little trailblazer in me. That experience of having my hands full when I was growing up and being responsible for so much at a young age really shaped who I am today and gave me the drive to get stuff done.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I actually founded a nonprofit organization called Insurance and Realtor Boss Babes that aims to educate young women on the power of obtaining a professional license. I tell them that once you get a professional license, it automatically qualifies you for a job, and I teach them about insurance and real estate and how to make six-plus figures in these industries. That's what I would tell them - going to college isn't always the answer if you're not going to matriculate into a program that immediately qualifies you for a job. If you have the opportunity, I would highly suggest looking into professional licenses. I think in this day and age, to put yourself into tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt for a career that's not promised, getting a professional license is such sound advice.
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