Bustle Exclusive
The commercial real estate maven opens up about her season of self-discovery.
Jade Shenker just got back from playing tennis with the girls, not that youd know it.
Literally and figuratively, Shenkers always got her eye on the ball.
You want to hit hard for your client, right?
You want to be sturdy, and see how much you’re free to get.
You want to keep the ball on the court, but you still want to win.
Clearly, that strategy is working.
Shenker spearheads Serhants commercial division and has managed more than$650 million in luxury assetsto date.
Ryan himself has singled Shenker out for her success.
All of her stuff sold, he toldPage Sixof the properties she represented on the show.
Not all of everyone elses stuff sold.
The daughter of a New York real estate tycoon, Shenker was born with a sense for the business.
I grew up in construction sites.
Ive managed so many different contractors, I can smell sh*tty construction, she says.
But if her real estate roots run deep, shes not one to get bogged down by tradition.
Its kind of like writing my own story, she says of filming that challenging chapter.
Because Im like, OK, well, I just told them that I got cheated on.
Everyone wants to know what Im going to do, and I dontknowwhat I want to do.
The season finale reveals that Shenker did, indeed, file for divorce.
As for whats next?
On the show, we see that youre a very spiritual person from astrology to shamanism.
What practice do you think will be next to hit the mainstream?
I think meditating is still a little bit taboo.
People are like, Oh, you meditate?
No, every single person needs to meditate.
I use an app called ThinkUp.
You self-record affirmations, and you listen to it when you wake up and before you go to bed.
It actually affects our bodies and how we act and show up in life.
How does astrology affect your dating life?
I know certain things I should stay away from.
I know certain things I should lean into.
So for example, right now, work is really good.
I also know that I would never date a male Pisces again.
I have been on so many dates with so many Pisces and Im like, No.
We can be friends.
How would you sum up your journey in real estate so far?
All my life, I was never really taken seriously.
I am an only child, and my entire family line has been males, males, males.
I wasnt even really allowed to travel internationally until I got married.
My dad saw the movieTaken.You know, Im a daddys girl!
Give me a chance.
Let me show you what I can do.
Why cant I wear some pink, or a gorgeous dress with sequins?
Does that dictate how smart I am?
I graduated top of my class.
Ive always been a top-performing student.
I loved seeing your interactions with your Serhant co-workers.
What was important to you about how youd portray yourself on screen?
Women are indoctrinated, I think, to be catty and to bring each other down.
I was like, Who am I?
Do I want to change myself for TV?
Or do I want to be nice and support people?
Not that I said anything bad, but you get the energy where youre like, Wait, no.
Just being really honest about your needs.
Lets say were looking at a loft, right?
So Im very honest.
Does this actually make sense?
Also, be really nice to your landlord and your management company.
Ive been on the ownership side, Ive been on the management side.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
