Jill Duemeland

At a young age, Jill Duemeland was determined not to follow the family path and go into real estate. Now, the young professional helps shape the way the community looks by being a leader in the family business.

Age: 29

Position: Partner, Duemelands Commercial Real Estate

Family: Aaron, husband of six years and daughter, Lexi (21 months) Hobbies: Lexi and Mommy time, golf, waterskiing and reading.

Community Involvement: Young Life Leader, member of Spirit of Life Church, Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network and CCIM

Career Path: Like most family businesses, I was exposed to real estate and business at a young age. I have vivid memories as early as age nine of having a friend over and my dad desiring to discuss real estate with us. For me, learning real estate was like learning multiplication tables or English grammar, it was something that was taught and discussed during my childhood as I was growing up. It became second nature. While I was going through grade school and high school, I stood my ground and always said “I am not going into real estate!” Then the university I was attending, University of St. Thomas, started a real estate studies program my sophomore year. Now, I can’t imagine my life any other way.

Mentors: My father and mother. My father has been a mentor for business. He has a mind that never stops and is always thinking outside the box. When you constantly surround yourself with a mentor like, that you can’t help but find new ideas and creative ways of thinking, which is essential in commercial real estate. I also had a huge advantage when I began the real estate program and my first real estate internship in Minneapolis. I had already learned about such things as Net Operating Income, Return on Investment and Internal Rate of Return, as my dad would educate me on these topics as he drove me to school. By the time I got to high school, I would tell my dad he had five minutes to talk business and then I was going to turn on radio. My mother has been a mentor for relationships and family. She has taught me to be nice to everybody, to smile and to be myself. I will be forever thankful to have such wonderful mentors.

Briefly, tell us about yourself: My relationship with God has shaped me into who I am. I am a people person and try to seek how God would like to use me in my work, my family and in my community. I am highly motivated to do what is morally and ethically right, which is part of the foundation of our company.

What motivates you?: Being able to play a role in shaping the landscape of our community, by being able to help clients find the best real estate or investment for them. I really enjoyed working with Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant and assisting them finding a location here in Bismarck. There is a great amount of pride we have in our relationships with our clients and the community of Bismarck-Mandan.

Challenges in your career path: At my age, a constant challenge is proving that I have obtained my position in business because of my knowledge and ability rather than because I am a part of a family business. On numerous occasions, I have been asked my age when working on a multi-million dollar transaction and now I guess the secret is out! There is also the challenge of being able to live up to the great predecessors before me, who have allowed this family business to survive 104 years while constantly growing and evolving.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Deciding to move back to Bismarck to work with my father and my husband!

Anything you’re particularly proud of?: Completing over $15 million in real estate transactions by the age of 26 to receive my CCIM designation in 2006. Also, being able to carry on the family business as the fourth generation and to be able to keep alive what was started in 1905.

What advice would you offer other young professionals?: My father has a great saying that I tell myself when I need extra courage to make that extra sales call or to make a pitch to a prospective client: “Go where angels fear to tread!” To do great things, we definitely need to step outside our comfort zone and cannot be afraid to be humbled. Lastly, it takes three years in the sales field to be able to stand on your own two feet. In this day and age we always want immediate results and often get frustrated quickly, but patience is a virtue. Three years is the “magic” number.

What are you thankful for? My family. The ability to go to work every day and be surrounded by the people I love. This is the number one priority in my life.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? Raising the next generation so they can pursue something they love and hopefully be the fifth generation in the family business. I also hope to continue to learn, grow and to give back to the community. I look forward to watching our business continue to grow along with the Bismarck-Mandan community.