After 24 years in the real estate business, Santa Ynez resident Jan Finley has opened her own office
Jan Finley officially opened her new real estate office, EXP Luxury Realty at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Aug. 22 under her own brand, the J. Finley Group.
She has been in the real estate business for 24 years, previously working for Steve Golis, a successful commercial broker in Santa Barbara, where she acquired most of her real estate experience, for which she says she is “forever grateful.”
Finley and her husband, Father John Finley (attached to the altar of St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Santa Barbara) moved to the Valley in 2007.
“I was working in Santa Barbara and I continued to commute, but that got old very quickly, so I joined Coldwell Banker in Los Olivos,” Finley said. “But, in truth, I always wanted to own my own real estate office.”
Originally from Washington state, Finley moved to Santa Barbara in 1970. She initially worked for Nordstrom Santa Barbara for eight years ending as the store information manager, which she says she loved. When she left to take a break from the corporate world she found a job working in an entirely different environment.
“I accepted a position with the County Education Office, where I worked with children with severe mental and physical challenges,” Finley said. “It was a rewarding experience, but my interests were in technology. As a favor to a friend, I was asked to help open a new real estate office in Goleta, as their admin and technology director. After watching the commercial agents, I decided that’s what I wanted to do as it was more business-minded.”
That began her path in real estate.
“I took a position as an admin and leasing agent for another boutique commercial real estate office,” Finley said. “With the experience I’d gleaned along the way, I moved on and took another position with the Golis Multi-Family team andfrom there I joined Coldwell Banker in Los Olivos to be closer to home.”
However, Finley had one ultimate goal in mind.
“With the Nordstrom customer service values engrained in me, I knew that I wanted to open my own office,” she said. “I had been with the best-of-the-best real estate companies and I knew I wanted to create an office culture and team where everyone shares the same core values and where we can have fun and provide the best customer service for our clients. I was enabled by EXP Luxury Real Estate to open my own office. I knew I had found my place, that my affiliation with EXP Luxury Real Estate would enable me to attain my dream working environment.”
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting was held with community leaders, local business owners, friends, and family in attendance.
“We had a wonderful celebration. Artiste Winery & Tasting Studio generously donated the wine for the event and Lynne Alexander with Board Appetit donated huge charcuterie boards filled with an array of delicious goodies for everyone to enjoy,” said Finley. “Standing in my own office surrounded by friends and family I realized that my dream had come true.”
The Finleys have three children, all married, and eight grandchildren, all living just over the hill in Santa Barbara.
“I feel very blessed to have all my family so close by, my mother and siblings as well,” said Finley. “I am also grateful to all my clients for their trust and support which allows me to live my dream. I love living in Santa Ynez and now having an office in the middle of town, amid the business community, brings me great joy. I have to say, I’m living my best life.”
The J. Finley Group office is located at 3568 Sagunto St., Suite J, in Santa Ynez, and can be reached online at janfinleyrealestate.com
Feature Image: Jan Finley is shown surrounded by friends and family by her new J. Finley Group real estate office at the ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Aug. 22. Contributed Photo
