I try to treat a transaction like a relationship instead of a business deal,” says agent Jessica Busse of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group in Glen Ellyn. In the four years since she started her real estate career, Jessica has formed many strong relationships. 

“I stay very involved in every one of my deals so that my buyers and sellers feel that they've truly been taken care of along the way,” she adds. “In my opinion, the best gift a client can give you is their trust.”

Raised in Des Plaines, Jessica grew up in a close-knit family alongside her two sisters. She was a social butterfly from the start, drawn to connecting with people from all walks of life.

 

After graduating from Indiana’s Butler University with dual degrees in psychology and Spanish, Jessica’s initial career focused on fundraising, which saw her move up from planning fundraising events to handling national-level fundraising for the American Brain Tumor Association, where she was in charge of the markets in NYC, LA, Tampa Bay, Columbus, and the State of Michigan. But it was her leap into entrepreneurship—launching her own dog daycare and boarding business, Bark Boulevard—that tested her limits and taught her some of her most valuable lessons.

“I learned so much [about business] in those three years,” Jessica says. “It was easily the most stress and the most growth I've ever experienced in a short amount of time.”

In 2020, the experience of selling her own condo sparked her real estate calling. After a frustrating start with an agent who didn’t meet expectations, Jessica and her husband, Zack, found an exceptional agent who turned into both a mentor and friend. The stark contrast between the two agents inspired Jessica to be the kind of advocate she once needed herself.

With her license in hand by December 2020, Jessica found out just two weeks later that she was pregnant with her first child. She juggled her dog daycare and real estate work until May 2021, when she dove into real estate full-time and, despite the challenges, has never looked back.

One of the most defining moments of Jessica’s journey came with a late diagnosis of ADHD, which transformed how she understood herself and her work.

“Once I became aware that what I’d considered as some personal flaws was actually ADHD, I was able to find all sorts of resources and ways to use my neuro-spicy brain to help make me excellent at what I do,” she explains. 

“It's funny, when I tell people that I have ADHD, they always say, ‘But you're so organized. You're so on top of things,’" Jessica shares. “In reality, I've just figured out how to make ADHD work for me and make me a stronger agent and person in general.”

Jessica’s ability to creatively problem-solve, adapt quickly, and communicate with empathy have become her superpowers. She thrives in the unpredictable rhythm of the industry too—through the constant newness and creativity of real estate, she’s settled into the perfect career.

“Every single deal is just a little bit different, and I see and approach each as a unique puzzle,” she says. “There are always different things, ways, and personality traits to work with, so I'm constantly learning from my environment.”

Today, Jessica and Zack live in DuPage County with their daughters, Skylar (3) and Eloise (1), and their four beloved dogs named after Blackhawks players: Mikita, Savvy, Rosie, and Gus.

Their home is filled with laughter and many princess dress-up sessions, which sometimes involve their dad wearing a tutu at the grocery store. 

Jessica is also deeply involved in her community and passionate about giving back. She supports Midwest Akita Rescue Society, where she and Zack fostered, then adopted, one of their dogs. She’s also training for her first marathon, raising $3,500 (and counting) for Second City Canine Rescue.

Looking ahead, Jessica envisions a future where real estate continues to serve as the platform for her family’s dreams. 

“Though real estate can be very demanding, it also gives me the flexibility to be there for my kids' important milestones,” Jessica says. “My career is what also makes it easier for my family to go on fun trips and adventures.”

For Jessica, success means more than closing deals; it’s about having the trust of her clients, the support of her peers, and the joy of creating a stable, loving life for her family. And as for advice to others navigating the industry?

“Work together with the cooperating agent and get the deal done,” she says. “If you treat it as a competition instead of a compromise, no one will win. It's no coincidence that my clients who have the best experience are those who have an awesome cooperating agent on the other side of their deal.”

Jessica’s success proves what she knows to be true: true success stems from strong, true relationships.