For Jen Risley, life has always been a balancing act — and that’s exactly how she likes it.

Raised in St. Charles after being born in Philadelphia, Jen spent her early years navigating the steady rhythms of Midwestern life. Now, as a full-time Realtor®, full-time soccer mom, and part-time concert chaser, she’s built a life defined by motion, meaning, and more than a few stops at Chick-fil-A.

“I spend my weekend at the soccer fields,” Jen says matter-of-factly. With two kids — Kendall, 13, and Jaxon, 11 — the days are full and the calendar even fuller. But there’s a rhythm to the chaos, one that Jen seems to thrive in. “I’m a full-time single parent,” she adds. “Kendall and Jax and I live in Lindbergh and we have a Cavapoo named Buddy who is my fave kid.”

Family is central to Jen’s story, and it’s never far from her work. Her sister, Lauren Risley, also a Realtor®, works in the same office. “She’s seven years younger than me although we are asked all the time if we are twins,” Jen laughs. “And I don’t argue.”

Jen got her real estate license in 2003 after working in a real estate-owned (REO) office, but didn’t step into the role full-time until 2017. In between, she worked for a toy company and ran a plumbing business with her ex-husband — all while raising a young family. “Flexibility to be with my kids” was the reason she returned to real estate, and it remains the driving force behind her work today.

“I love helping that person that thought they never could buy a house move into their first home,” Jen explains. “Or in this crazy market, finding that off-market [property] to someone who seems defeated by lack of inventory. I feel like a hero!”

That blend of service and strategy is what fuels Jen's real estate business. She works independently with Keller Williams and holds a broker’s license, but also collaborates with Shelby Hall — an agent at a different brokerage — on investment deals. “It’s very confusing but we make it work,” she says, noting how the partnership has helped her evolve in a shifting market. “When inventory shifted and rates went up, I shifted my business to work with investors. I have sold over 200 single-family rentals with the help of my partner Shelby in the last two years — some in large packages and just recently a mobile home park.”

Recently, Jen added a new title to her growing list of credentials: Commercial Agent. “Now I can offer my investors larger investment opportunities,” she says. “I’d love to network with my peers to let them know I can help their clients if they can’t handle these commercial deals.” The addition opens the door to new possibilities — and even more value for the clients Jen serves.

Despite the fast pace, Jen keeps her goals simple. “My goal is always to try to do just a little better than the previous year,” she says. “I’m not a big tracker of numbers, but I do my best to hit what I did the previous year.” And the numbers speak for themselves: she was the top agent in her office for transactions in April.

Still, the juggle is real. “The most challenging part is trying to be everywhere — as a mom and as a Realtor®,” she admits. But her past, full of ups and downs, has prepared her well. “My life challenges have taught me endurance and helped me daily work on a positive mindset.”

When she’s not closing deals or cheering on the sidelines, Jen finds peace in small pleasures — hiking, Pilates, concerts, and reading. A self-described foodie, she loves trying new restaurants, though she admits, “We frequent Chick-fil-A… lol.”

Giving back is also part of the equation. “We just had a community snowcone event which was fun!” she shares.

Asked what advice she’d offer to others entering the real estate world, Jen keeps it simple: “Be kind to everyone in the transaction and answer your phone.”

And her motto? It comes courtesy of Taylor Swift: “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”

Jen Risley may not track every number, but she’s clearly keeping score where it counts — with grit, grace, and a whole lot of heart.