Jamie Kastelic Named to the Bold Women of Business Class of 2025

Real Estate Agent

They are courageous enough to take risks, speak up and face challenges head on- even when the outcome is uncertain. They are strong in they way they lead with integrity and compassion, balancing grit with grace. And they are distinctive because they don’t try to blend in, they build their own path, lead authentically and inspire others to do the same

I spent days researching off market opportunities, reached out personally to other agents and found a property that was off market. When I handed my clients the keys their tears and gratitude reminded me exactly what why I do this work. Real estate, for me isn’t about houses, it’s about people, stories and restoring faith in what’s possible. That experience reaffirmed that my best moments happen when I lead with empathy, think creatively and go far beyond the expected to make something meaningful happen for someone else.

One of the funniest moments on my road to success happened during an open house early in my real estate career. I had everything perfectly staged, candles lit, cookies in the oven soft music playing. When a young family walked in. A few minutes into chatting, their little boy suddenly yelled, Mom the ladys cat just ran away. The thing was I didn’t have a cat, the sellers cat had quietly slipped out while the front door was open. So there I was in heels sprinting across the yard trying to catch the sellers cat while the family laughed so hard they could barely breath. Thankfully the cat was fine That moment reminded me not to take myself to seriously. Real estate can be stressful and unpredictable, but laughter and humility go a long way. Sometimes the best connections come from the moments that don’t go perfectly

Without question my greatest source of drive and inspiration comes from my family.-my husband Brian and our two sons Ethan and Brady. Everything I do is rooted in showing then what it means to live with purpose, resilience, and heart. As a breast cancer survivor there were days when simply standing back up felt like a victory. Through it all I wanted my boys to see that even when life changes your path it can’t take your strength or your spirit. They’ve watched me rebuild, reinvent and keep moving forward and I want them to know they can do the same in their own lives. Brian has been my constant- steady, kind and quietly strong the one who reminds me to breath when I’m pushing to hard and celebrates every win big or small. Together they are my “why” my drive isn’t fueled by competition its fueled by love and by the desire to show my sons that real success is built on courage, compassion and perseverance

My best advice to women in Southwest Michigan is to build a life that feels authentic to you, not one that looks perfect to everyone else. When I started over after breast cancer, I didn’t have a roadmap. What I did have was grit, purpose and a deep belief that the most powerful thing you can do is show up as yourself. even when your scared, even when your starting small. Success doesn’t come from doing it all, it comes from doing what matters most, with consistency and heart.

Being selected as one of the Bold Women of Business is incredibly meaningful to me because it represents more then professional success, it represents resilience, reinvention and community To be recognized alongside so many strong talented women from Southwest Michigan is humbling and deeply personal. My journey has included moments of uncertainty, rebuilding and starting over, but it’s also been filled with growth, purpose and connection. This honor reminds me that courage and compassion belong in business every bit as much as strategy and success do. It means the world to know that my story, as a survivor, a mother, and a woman determined to lead with heart-might inspire someone else to believe that they can too.