Hello, my name is Duan A. Jones, and I am the owner and licensed broker for ABC Real Estate & Mortgages, LLC. I am a native Floridian, born in Lakeland, Florida, where I was raised by a single mother in one of the toughest projects in town named Washington Park. I graduated from Kathleen Sr. High School, where I was a football star and three starter. My skills on the field earned me a football scholarship to Bethune-Cookman College, presently renamed Bethune-Cookman University, where I excelled both in the classroom and the football field. I was blessed to enter BCC to learn in 1988, and departed to serve in 1993, graduating with honors. I majored in Hospitality Management and began my career in the food service industry as a Food & Beverage Manager at the Orlando In-ternational Airport, in Orlando, Florida. I later bought my first home at age 26, and realize that my college did not prepare the many intricacies in buying a home. It is a helpless feeling when you know that you are not well educated on something and the person in front of you is more knowl-edgeable than you. However you know enough to get that feeling that they are holding something back from you and not telling you about all the pros and cons to your decision. You are at the mer-cy of the financing people who knows more about their product than you do. Needless to say I was ripe for the pickings, and they took full advantage of my ignorance by putting me in the worse loan possible for me, but the highest paying commission for them. They got me good, but oh how things work for the good for those who serve and love the lord and who is called for his purpose! I turned my situation around and used it to motivated me to learn all I could about the mortgage business, so I could educate myself on the loan process and the different types of loan products available so I could not be taken advantage of again, and I can help others not be taken advantage of like me. While in the process of losing my first home to foreclosure I took the necessary classes and passed my mortgage broker test in 1998. I later moved back home to Lakeland where I was hired by a mortgage brokerage business that also did real estate. It was there I honed my skills in helping peo-ple finding the right loan for their situation. My broker and mentor instilled in me the importance of being honest and forth right with people by telling the truth no matter how bitter the pill was and not to try to sugar coat things. He taught me to keep things simple for people and not try to im-press them using jargon and technical terms. This is where my keep it short and simple philosophy came from. He encouraged me to go further and obtain my real estate licenses so that I did not just limit myself to one source of income. In 2003, I became a Licensed Realtor in the state of Florida. I continued to work under my mentor and learn more about mortgages and even more about the real estate business. After gaining valuable work experience in helping people buy and sell homes for seven years a earned my broker license and opened my own company in 2010. I praise God for everything I went through both the good and the bad because it has brought me to this point in my career where I can help others and earn a income doing what I have a passion for doing today.
Corporal Detention Officer|
Department of Juvenile Justice
From November 2011 to Current • 15 year(s)
Providing care, safety, and security to state detained youth while maintaining accurate log books, counseling youth, and creating youth performance plans.
Outside Sales Rep/Business|
TRG Field Solutions
From August 2010 to October 2010 • 0 year(s)
Business to business door to door sales of Verizon products such as FIOS, Phone, Satellite TV through Direct TV on commission only.
Certified Correction Officer|
Demilly Correctional Institution
From October 2008 to April 2010 • 2 year(s)
Walking perimeter security, maintaining care and custody of state convicted inmates, and ensuring public and staff safety with firearms patrol.
Retail Sales Consultant|
Sears Essentials
From May 2005 to March 2009 • 4 year(s)
Consultive sales and training, one of the top sales people selling large and small appliances, acquiring credit applications and service agreements.
Tax Specialist|
Amscot Financial Services
From September 2008 to January 2009 • 1 year(s)
Paid tax preparer, prepared tax returns for customers during two tax seasons.
Telesales Supervisor|
Academic Financial Solutions
From April 2004 to February 2005 • 1 year(s)
Help build the company and train professional sales people for Federal Student Loan Consolidation Program in a calling center.
Telesales|
Collegiate Funding Services
From July 2001 to April 2004 • 3 year(s)
Student Loan Consolidation Applications in telesales, was in the top 10% of company in sales and hand picked for special team assignment.
Outside Sales Representative|
Revco Remodeling
From March 2001 to July 2001 • 0 year(s)
Outside consultive sales rep selling exterior home remodeling supplies including roofing, siding, soffit and facia through in home presentations.
Store Manager|
Racetrac Petro
From July 1999 to March 2001 • 2 year(s)
Started as cashier, promoted to Store Manager, responsible for P&L statement, supervising 6-8 associates, and reducing gas loss while improving sales.
Manager-Trainee|
Popeye's Chicken
From July 1999 to December 1999 • 0 year(s)
Learned business operations including preparing food, ordering, shift management, cashiering, and interviewing potential employees.
Outside Sales/Financial Specialist|
Primerica Financial Services
From July 1997 to July 1999 • 2 year(s)
Licensed to solicit life and health insurance and mortgage broker services, using cold calling and warm market to set client appointments.
Store Manager|
McDonalds Corp.
From July 1995 to July 1997 • 2 year(s)
Managed a million dollar store, supervised eight or more people, hired, fired, ordered supplies, and managed P&L statement.
Assistant Food and Beverage Manager|
Concessions International
From July 1993 to July 1995 • 2 year(s)
Maintained vehicle logs, ordered liquor, trained and managed dining staff, and served as closing manager responsible for registers and cash accounting.
