Alina A. Jenkins is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Greater Atlanta.

What was your first job in the realty industry? Real Estate Agent

Where did you grow up? In Managua, Nicaragua.

Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to be a flight attendant.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? When I am stressed I love to work in my hobbies. Right now is to create chandeliers, I find old chandeliers and re-purpose them. I’m changing all the lights in my house. It seems that I am always remodeling my home and love to add my very own personal touch. So I teach myself or take classes on the subject and go for it.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Mother Teresa of Calcutta because I would feel blessed to share a moment with someone with such incredible selfless devotion to serve the poorest of the poor. One of my favorite quotes of her is: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love”.

Where is your favorite place to hang out? To go to the movie theater with my son.

What do you love most about the industry? The opportunity that it gives me to serve people not because I have to but because I want to. My goal is for them to feel my real desire to give them my very best. I also love that it changes every day. Every day I am presented with different challenges.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I keep myself informed about changes in the industry. I am constantly taking classes and learning new skills to better myself and be able to serve my clientele better.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? The most difficult aspect of my job right now is the lack of inventory. There are no enough homes for sale on the market. Homeowners do not realize what they are missing. I listed a home for sale on Thursday and by Monday I had 29 contracts, yes great contracts most above asking price.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? My main source of new clients come from referrals. I visit my clients, I try to keep in contact with them. When they need a repair person they call me, I help them and ask for referrals. Anywhere I go I let them know or remind them that I am a real estate agent and that “I am never too busy for any of their referrals.”

What has been your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment was to be able to pay for my son´s college tuition when the Real Estate Market crumbled in 2008. I am proud to have done it with my day-to-day work and not getting the money out of my savings accounts. What is more, I survived the crisis staying as a real estate agent. Of course, I had to make changes on my career, so at that time I became a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and this is how I accomplished it.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? “Think and grow rich” by Napoleon Hill. It was written in 1937 and published during The Great Depression. Every time I read it, I find something of value.

What is your favorite restaurant? Vineyard Café.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Atlanta? Bank of America Plaza.

What kind of car do you drive? Mercedes Benz convertible.

Smartphone or paper? Smartphone.

What is your favorite city after Atlanta? Ahsville

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Go beyond the transaction and build a relationship with your clients.

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Buffini referral maker.

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Brian Buffini and Darren Hardy.