Influential Woman · Property Management

Jenay Richardson

Chief Executive Officer, Serenity Management

Washington, DC

6Years experience

Connect with Jenay

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Cert DC Real Estate Salesperson's License Cert Tax Credit Certification

Her Story

About Jenay

I've been in the property management field for over 15 years, and in 2020, I founded Serenity Management with my co-founder Yvette Morton, whom I started working with back in 2016 at Bizzuto. My company now has a staff of 25, and we manage commercial properties, short-term rentals, and residential properties. I facilitate the day-to-day operations and communication with my staff, and at a high level, I assist with any property-related needs. What sets us apart is that we provide personalized, tailored service to our clients' individual needs. I also host and facilitate a property management training program for those looking to enter the industry, and I'm proud to say I've successfully trained and helped about 22 participants obtain full-time employment. My inspiration for starting this company came from working with larger management companies and noticing areas of opportunity in the tax credit space and low-poverty areas, which are the areas where I'm from in DC. I also noticed there weren't many women sitting at the table as decision-makers, so within my company, we employ women of color to make sure our voices are heard, and we employ people from the communities they serve. Beyond property management, I'm also a travel agent as of June 2024, with 83 agents on my team, all women. We book travel, help others break into the industry, and host community events to bring women together in a safe space. I also manage Airbnbs and host vending machines because I believe it's okay to be multifaceted and successful in many lanes, as long as you stay motivated, organized, and have a clear plan.

Quick Facts

IndustryProperty Management
Based inWashington, DC
Specialty Property Management, Commercial Properties, Short-term Rentals
- Residential Properties
- Property Management Training
- Tax Credit Certification
Volunteers with Annual Back-to-School Event - providing free haircuts
- Hairstyles
- School supplies
- And backpacks to DC residents
- Serving over 300 families

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Jenay

01What do you attribute your success to?

I'm passionate about the betterment of my community and helping my community to have better circumstances. I'm also driven by creating visibility where there is none, or where there may be a lack of it. This passion for uplifting the communities I'm from and ensuring that voices, especially women of color, are heard at the decision-making table is what drives everything I do.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is to never dream too big. No goal is too big, no dream is unattainable. So whatever your biggest goal is that you want to achieve, that you may think is impossible, that's the one that you go after. This advice has shaped how I approach my career and has given me the courage to pursue multiple ventures and not limit myself.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say, don't let anyone put a ceiling over you. And if there isn't any room at the table, create your own. It's also okay to be multifaceted - you don't have to choose one lane. You can be successful in many different areas. You can really see it all, as long as you stay motivated and stay organized, and you have a clear plan. Don't limit yourself to what others think you should be doing.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Some of the biggest challenges in my field would be capacity. When we are working to obtain contracts, it can be a challenge because we are still growing our capacity. Because we don't have such a large capacity, we're able to focus more on our clients' individual needs and provide a tailored, personalized service. However, because we are not a larger company, we are sometimes looked over or passed over for some of those larger opportunities. So while our size allows us to give better personalized service, it also means we face challenges in competing for bigger contracts.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Transparency is a major value for me - I believe in being open and honest in all my dealings. Work-life balance is also crucial because I want to maintain harmony between my professional pursuits and personal well-being. And organization as a whole is essential - staying organized allows me to manage multiple ventures successfully and ensure everything runs smoothly.

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