Trish Nicely, owner of JPAR Real Estate Professionals in Hughesville, Maryland, is being recognized as a Rock Star in the Women category for her empowering leadership and bold entrepreneurial spirit. Since opening her franchise in 2022, Trish has established a supportive and high-performing brokerage. With a background in senior-level management and a deep understanding of business strategy, she chose JPAR for its modern approach and strong mentorship network. Trish continues to lead with confidence, consistency, and compassion, mentoring other women in real estate and championing a more balanced, inclusive path to success.
During your research, what made your franchise brand stand out?
With an entrepreneurial background, I sought a franchise that provided exceptional support and collaboration, while still empowering my agents to run their businesses on their own terms. Being able to grow my brokerage and remain profitable while maintaining the culture I wanted was very important to me. JPAR was the perfect fit.
How did your franchisor help you to prepare for and launch your business?
JPAR has a very modern take on business that I agree with. Don’t spend any extra money if you’re not going to get a return on the investment. I am a numbers person through and through. Therefore, being able to obtain the kind of support necessary to map out my business plan, as well as ensure all bases were covered in the business, was very important to me. The technology is some of the finest in the industry, so all combined, it has really worked for me.
There are also so many resources I can pull on for strong mentorship. I’m not afraid to say I don’t know the answer to that question, because I know I can find it. Senior management will either answer or direct me to one of the other brokers or owners whose area of expertise can be tapped. Senior management will also support you in any endeavor, even if others have not considered it. In other words, they let you run your business the way you want to run it.
What advice would you give to potential franchisees considering your brand?
Look for a franchise that will match your culture is one of the biggest. Having been in a senior-level position at another company and seeing how the culture can erode from within, this is by far one of the most important considerations for me. You also need to make sure the business model makes sense for your goals. If the business model cannot ultimately generate a profit, then you need to find one that works.
JPAR’s has a strong mentorship network of other broker/owners that is fantastic. I have several options that I can call, and they will pick up right away, from small, inconsequential items to really big decisions. It’s a wonderful resource to have other people to bounce ideas off of.
Name three key things that empower your success.
- Keeping an open mind on what’s happening in the business right now, and where it is going. My industry has been through some pretty big changes in the last couple of years. Being able to pivot with those changes is crucial.
- Consistency is undefeated. You have to do the boring things to make strides in business. Even on the days you don’t want to do those boring things, just “eat that frog” and do them. They all add up.
- Having wonderful colleagues who know when to offer advice and when to simply listen is truly invaluable. I guess the saying that it takes a village to raise a child also works for growing a business.
What unique challenges have you faced as a female business owner and how did you overcome them?
I was very fortunate to have been raised by a man who believed I could do anything I wanted to do, regardless of my sex or age. What was really surprising was that even in this day and age, there are some who still look at being female as the “weaker sex”. I am a very positive person and have been accused of being a “Pollyanna”. But many people are surprised when I turn the tables and become a force of nature. To overcome those people, I have to have a sharp mind and not an ounce of fear.
Now, there are certain negotiations where I cannot turn that on, and I know enough that honey attracts more flies than vinegar, so I will ask a very good friend, who is a man, to step in. It’s not about my pride, it’s about getting my clients ahead in the negotiation.
How does owning your franchise help you to “pay it forward” to other aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Being in real estate, it is a female-dominated field, but NAR indicates that the majority of broker/owners are still men. It is an attractive industry to join at all times in your life, but as a woman, it’s very difficult to navigate balancing the responsibilities of a professional real estate career with those of a personal life. I’m committed to helping all of my agents, but with women, I’m particularly focused on training them to successfully navigate the demands of a high-performing real estate career while maintaining a balance in their personal lives. I match my training to what they want to accomplish, whether it’s working smarter, not harder, or doubling their business.
