With four EXIT Key Realty offices in East Tennessee, a huge heart for community outreach and a new title as first lady of Knox County, franchise owner Crystal Jacobs knows a thing or two about juggling hats, motivating people and staying focused. This week on the EXIT Southeast blog, she shares her love of EXIT and her heart for helping others.[caption id="attachment_3962" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Crystal Jacobs, with husband Glenn in photo, the new Knox County Mayor, is the owner of EXIT Key Realty with offices in Lenoir City, Knoxville, Morristown and one coming soon in Strawberry Plains.[/caption]
One of the favorite themes for this vibrant franchise with offices in Lenoir City, Knoxville, Morristown and one coming soon in Strawberry Plains is “at EXIT Key Realty, we have the key to your dream and home ownership.”  A very humble and kind leader, Crystal actually has a lot of mantras which drive her family and faith oriented business.[caption id="attachment_3963" align="aligncenter" width="1368"]
Crystal Jacobs says she has a huge heart for animals but her passion is also the 501C3 founded with husband Glenn Jacobs called Kane's Crusaders.[/caption]“What makes us different with our customers and agents is we are very family oriented.  There is a lot of love, support and it gives our agents a sense of belonging.  This carries over when our agents are taking care of their customers,” Crystal says. “When I interview agents, I say if you are uncomfortable being in an office of huggers, being told love you and texts ending in xo, xo, then you don’t need to apply here.”On a recent trip, Crystal’s granddaughter Maddison over heard several business phone calls and asked her, “Mimi, why do you tell everybody you love them.”  She laughed but shared, it may be the only love they get that day.  Everybody loves a sense of family.She also shares her business advice at monthly mixers for agents graduating from Tennessee Real Estate School. “If you are a person getting into this business to make a dollar, don’t care about the outcome for your client and if you can’t put your customers up there with your family and faith, then EXIT isn’t the right place for you. I believe in God, family and our customers as a top priority."
From birds and turtles to possums and skunks, Crystals says she’s done a lot of crazy things to help animals in need and now has only nine dogs.[caption id="attachment_3964" align="aligncenter" width="400"]
Dog rescue is one of the ways in which EXIT Key Realty owner Crystal Jacobs supports her community.[/caption]“I have a huge heart for animals but my passion is the 501C3 founded with my husband Glenn Jacobs whose wrestling alter ego is “Kane." The nonprofit is called Kane’s Crusaders and has two main events each year, Faith To End Hunger, a canned good outreach for outlining communities, and One Unforgettable Night, an annual prom for chronically ill teens at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
“As a mental health therapist for 22 years with the state of Tennessee, I helped seven counties and saw how areas outside the Knoxville area were lacking support services.  Our food drives helps them,” Crystal said.[caption id="attachment_3965" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
One Unforgettable Night, is part of the Jacobs' nonprofit, Kane Crusaders and hosts an annual prom for chronically ill teens at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.[/caption]The annual prom was started after seeing a young woman request a dance as her dying wish. This jump-started the mission which requires planning all year. They’ll be heading to a riverboat on September 9 for a glow party!  For more information on supporting this, click One Unforgettable Night.
She wears many hats and the newest one is first lady of Knox County. While her husband has been very busy taking on this important role, Crystal is looking forward to seeing how she can better serve Knox County.
“I believe we should give someone the value of their worth while they are with us.  People have been so kind to support to me and my husband during this election and I look forward to seeing how I can better serve Knox County.”
Across Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, EXIT Southeast owners, brokers and agents are respected leaders in the real estate industry. Earning the #1 U.S. region in 2017 for EXIT Realty Corp. International, if you are looking to join an award-winning team of unstoppable professionals, contact EXIT Southeast Regional Owner Stacy Strobl at 412-LOVEXIT (412-568-3948).
