Her Story
About Jeanette
I earned my bachelor's degree in business management while working full-time at Farmers Insurance Planning Division and being a full-time student, mom, and wife. After a layoff, I took six months off and drew unemployment - I knew I would probably never have that opportunity again in my life to just take a break. My neighbor referred me to the law firm, and honestly, I didn't want to do it. I knew that lawyers can be quite temperamental, and I didn't think that was a career path for me. But I went for the interview, and it just seemed like something very different. It was a major firm, nationwide, and I thought, this is kind of different, let me see. So I decided to give it a go. That's how I ended up with the firm, and I love the work. Because it's law, and everything is pretty much absolute in a way, that makes me comfortable with doing it. It's not about favoritism. I just like the absoluteness of it. We're a tax collection firm, and what I mainly do is deal with the public. I review the account and figure out who needs a lawsuit filed against them. I'm filing suits and talking with the taxpayers and clients. My main area of expertise is probably negotiation - I think that's a very strong part of what I do. What happens is when it comes to a judgment, sometimes it's the people's homes that they live in. I do my best never to sell a homestead. What I feel like I've contributed the most to this profession is the fact that I know that I leave these people with their dignity and pride. I didn't want to do this job because I felt guilty about it. But some of my coworkers say they don't understand how I'm so nice but they never get gifts - I get flowers, I've received so many gifts over the years, or people telling me thank you. It's about being matter of fact and telling them what the truth of what they're facing is. If I can help people figure out how to save their property while still being able to do my job effectively, I take pride in that. It took me a while to figure out that is a gift.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jeanette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to wanting to be an example, not only for my son, but for other women. I've always had this thing about the girl power and the femininity of being a woman. Just knowing that I influenced somebody just to be better - I just want to make a difference in whomever's lives I may touch, to be that encouragement. I don't look to be this great person that people see and think that you're something that you're not, you know, just the imagination, because the facade of a star is basically an illusion. What makes a difference is that I touch and encourage somebody along the way to be better, to go live their dream, whatever it might be, no matter how silly the world may think it is. If it's in your heart, go for it. I was discouraged in my time as a child growing up and then in my marriage, and I don't want that for anyone. I just want to be an inspiration for anyone that comes in contact.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell her to slow down and move at your own pace. A lot of people have lost their way thinking that it had to be done a certain way, and it doesn't. Just take your time and look within your heart and think about what truly makes you happy. No matter what the world thinks, live your life, not someone else's. Don't be what mother thinks you should be. Don't be what father wants you to be. Listen to your heart.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is most important to me. We're all the same, we're all no one. I don't care what we do as a profession, if it's respectful, not one of us is any more important than the next. To treat people with dignity and pride - that's number one for me.
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