What does being lead singer and guitar player in a female punk band have in common with starting a real estate company in the middle of a recession? Not many people can answer that question. But when you ask Jenelle Isaacson Etzel founder and CEO of Living Room Realty, there’s no hesitation; where most would see a chasm, she sees a bridge.

For Jenelle, it’s all been about finding a voice—the singular and irrepressible expression of self. Once a quiet, studious, high-school girl growing up in Portland, Jenelle started a punk band after college.

She played guitar, wrote cathartic songs, performed, and traveled across country while living out of a van. All that seems light years from the present moment–owning a successful, growing company; serving on boards of civic and philanthropic organizations; enjoying family life with her two young daughters and long-time partner. Still, she uses the same voice now that began to emerge on stage years ago.

Whether it’s business or music, “It’s important to know what your voice is. If it’s true, it will resonate.” Jenelle’s voice, her truth, is about being brave enough to take action without apology, being heard without being exploited, to be energized, constantly problem-solving and refining her skills in the pursuit of building a purpose-driven company. All this requires risk-taking. She’s learned the hard way that she can’t fix everything and that not everyone will share her vision. But even as she explains the difficult choices she’s faced, Jenelle radiates joy.

“It’s never okay to play small,” she says with conviction. And this, more than anything, is what she strives to impart to other women, empowering them to pursue their passion whole-heartedly and to be leaders who speak with their own unique, unapologetic voice.

Living Room Realty, founded in 2009, offers residential, commercial, and property management services. Living Room ranks in the top 15 real estate companies in Oregon, with more than 110 affiliated broker-agents. For more information, visit www.livingroomre.com.

Noted Achievements: First west coast real estate office to receive B Corp status • Top Workplaces, 2014-2016 • 100 Best Workplaces in Oregon 2017 • 100 Best Green Companies 2017 • Oregon Business in Ethics Awards in 2014 • Jenelle has been featured in The Portland Monthly, Oregon Business, and REALTOR® Magazine • Portland Business Journal 40 under 40 Business Leaders • Board of Directors, Rock n Roll Camp for Girls, receiving 2015 award for creative philanthropy • Board Member, Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Network, Portland chapter • Orchid Award recipient for Business and Civic Contributions • Guest speaker: OPB’s Think Out Loud, Investor Beat, Cascadia Green Building Council • Advocate speaking on behalf of Benefit Corporation legislation with Oregon Secretary of State, Kate Brown

Jenelle's Articles

#21 Randal Wyatt: Taking Ownership PDX

Jenelle Etzel

Musician, activist, and founder of nonprofit Taking Ownership PDX, Randal Wyatt discusses his journey to creating...

#20 Katie Poppe: The Taste Of Happiness

Jenelle Etzel

Little Big Burger, Boxer Ramen & Blue Star Doughnuts cofounder, Katie Poppe, joins Jenelle to chat...

#19 Mark Bitterman: Telling Stories Through Salt

Jenelle Etzel

  James Beard Award winning Author, Mark Bitterman chats about his love of food and place,...

#18: Michelle Cairo: It’s Fun To Do It The Right Way

Jenelle Etzel

Charcuterie queen & cofounder of Olympia Provisions, Michelle Cairo joins Jenelle and shares the story OP’s...

#17: Javier Alomía: It’s Easier To Say Yes

Jenelle Etzel

Javier Alomoía joins Jenelle sharing his journey from Ecuador to Portland and the keys to his...

#16 Kamelah Adams: One T-Shirt At A Time

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined my Mimi’s Fresh Tees founder and owner, Kamelah Adams as they discuss her...

#15 Stephen Green: It’s Hard To Be What You Don’t See

Jenelle Etzel

Stephen Green, one of the most active & involved people in the Portland business community,  joins...

#14 Carol Ferris: What Does That Mean In Lived Experience

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined by NW Legend Carol Ferris as they discuss Carol’s journey from Corporate life...

#13 Trevor Graves: I Just Wanna Do Cool Work For Cool People

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined by friend and Nemo Design founder, Trevor Graves, as they discuss his journey...

#12 Ashod Simonian & Eden Dawn: We Just Really Wanna Help People Make Out

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined by creative friends Ashod Simonian & Eden Dawn who are both creatives &...

#11 Jenelle Etzel: The Contest

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle shares the unique story of how she held a matching making contest that led to...

#10 Jessie Burke: The Solution Is More Important Than Winning

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined by Society Hotel founder Jessie Burke as they discuss Jessie’s unique path from...

#9 Jill Kuehler: The Whiskey Women

Jenelle Etzel

Founder and CEO of Freeland Spirts, Jill Kuehler,  joins Jenelle to chat about her journey from...

#8 Seth Lorinczi: Finding Your Edges

Jenelle Etzel

Author & punk rock troubadour Seth Lorinczi chats about his days in the influential DC punk...

Portland Real Estate Market Update Late-July 2023

Jenelle Etzel

Find out what’s happening in the Portland real estate market for Mid-May 2023. Hi, I’m Jenelle...

#7 Serilda Summers-McGee: Make the Plan, Work the Plan

Jenelle Etzel

Human Resources legend, Serilda Summers-McGee joins Jenelle to discuss everything from her drive to the top...

#6 Karim Alaeddine: The Art of Asking Better Questions

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle’s long time friend and colleague, Karim Alaeddine, shares several nuggets of wisdom around asking better...

#5 Georgia Lee Hussey: Guerrilla Art & Business

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined by Founder & CEO of Modernist Financial, Georgia Lee Hussey, as they discuss Georgia’s...

How I Bought My First Commercial Property

Jenelle Etzel

Even been laughed at and hung up on by a bank? I have.. In 2008-09 in...

Joypunk Podcast #4 – Lindsey Murphy: Be Good Bacteria

Jenelle Etzel

Show creator, host and business developer Lindsey Murphy joins Jenelle where they chat about Lindsey’s journey...

Portland Market Update For Late-May 2023

Jenelle Etzel

Find out what’s happening in the Portland real estate market for Late-May 2023. Hi, I’m Jenelle...

Joypunk Podcast #3 – Rosemary Brensen: I Think I Can F@#%ing Do That!

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined by Department of Community founder, Rosemary Brensen, as they chat about her journey...

How To Buy a Home on Contract During a Divorce

Jenelle Etzel

During my divorce in 2011, I could not qualify to buy a home with conventional financing...

3 Things to Consider When Buying a Home During or After a Divorce

Jenelle Etzel

Buying a home during or after a divorce can be especially challenging, you may not be...

Joypunk Podcast #2 – Melissa Dorman: Masterful Practical Magician

Jenelle Etzel

Jenelle is joined by Melissa Dorman, discussing Melissa’s journey from being a social worker for the...

Welcome to the Joy Punk Podcast!

Jenelle Etzel

Welcome fellow Joy Punks! In her new podcast, CEO and Founder, Jenelle Etzel says “Hi” and introduces...

Living Room’s Best Business Investments

Jenelle Etzel

Forbes.com contributor Dinah Wisenberg Brin recently asked entrepreneurs to share their best business investments from the past year...

APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH

Jenelle Etzel

“Fundamentally, fair housing means that every person can live free. This means that our communities are open...

Don’t Touch the Wood

Jenelle Etzel

One of the best parts of helping our clients make room to live is receiving an...

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