Jackie Shields
Written by Elizabeth McCabe | Photos by Ezekiel E. Photography
“There’s no easy button in real estate,” jokes Jackie Shields. “But you don’t have to reinvent the wheel either.” One thing is for sure – this Top Producer makes it look easy!
Spend five minutes with Jackie Shields, and you’ll walk away energized, smiling, and believing that anything is possible. A powerhouse real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty Premier, Jackie has built a thriving career, a top-producing team, and a family legacy rooted in grit, grace, and gratitude.
A Late Bloomer with Perfect Timing
Jackie’s real estate story didn’t begin right out of college or as a lifelong dream — she calls herself a “late bloomer.” She entered real estate 15 years ago, when her youngest child was in 8th grade, and she felt her once-busy nest was slowly emptying. With a degree in accounting and years of helping her husband Matt run his businesses, Jackie was ready for something of her own.
“It was time for a change,” she says. “I always knew I could have it all, just maybe not all at the same time.”
A conversation at church with her friend Ginger Jones set the wheels in motion. By Thursday, Jackie was in real estate school, launching her new adventure in late 2009 — a notoriously tough time in the housing market. “It was a great time for my family but not exactly for the economy,” Jackie laughs.
Family First, Always
Jackie has been married to Matt for 36 years — a fact that still makes her smile in disbelief.
“We don’t know how that happened, but we do like each other, so that helps!” she laughs. Their oldest, Ethan, is a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps and a proud dad to Jackie’s three beloved grandchildren — her ultimate “big why.” “I am always available to hop on a plane and do daily ‘grandma things’ just because,” Jackie says.
Their middle daughter, Emily, is a Vice President, Market Branch Manager at Stride Bank, and the youngest, Madeline, works alongside Jackie as a Broker-Associate on her team. “My husband’s also part of the team,” Jackie adds with a grin. It’s truly a family business.
From Solo Agent to Team Leader
Although Jackie’s been in real estate for 15 years, it was in 2019 that she truly hit her stride by building her own team. “I’d always been curious about the team concept,” she shares. “Once the nest was truly empty, I had the space to focus on it.”
Jackie based her team on the Millionaire Real Estate Agent model by Gary Keller — a system she swears by. “People always want to know my secret,” she says. “It’s that book. I did not reinvent the wheel.”
Today, her dynamic team includes eight agents, three admin, herself, and Matt. Half of her agents were brand new when they joined, and half brought years of experience — but all have grown under Jackie’s leadership. Her passion? Helping them thrive both personally and professionally. “Business growth never exceeds personal growth,” Jackie says, pointing to her vision board. “My goal is for my agents to live their lives by design.”
Among her longest-standing team members is Rhonda McCarty, who started as a client before joining Jackie’s team in 2020. “We’ve got people from the age of 22 to 60-plus,” Jackie shares proudly. “And it’s incredible to watch them come together and function as a team at so many levels. In 2024, one agent battled cancer and another suffered a bad fall, had surgery, which resulted in her being off her feet for three months. Each was able to concentrate on their health and the team covered their business when possible.
Jackie is intentional about adding two team members a year — focusing on purpose, not just numbers. And when someone decides to move on? She sends them off with her blessing. “What if you train someone and they leave? My response is: what if you don’t train someone and they stay?”
Grit, Gardening, and Gatherings
Jackie’s unstoppable spirit was shaped by her upbringing in Missouri. Her parents, by today’s standards, would be considered disabled — her mother was born with one hand, and her father, injured as a child, had limitations. Yet, they raised six children, including a set of twins and a special needs son, without special programs or help.
“They never considered themselves handicapped,” Jackie says quietly. “I never once complained to my mom because I knew what she’d been through. That is where my grit comes from.”
Outside the office, Jackie loves gardening — a hobby that reminds her of her late father. She and Matt still live on the property where they raised their kids. The property that was once bustling with kids, cats, dogs, chickens, and cows is now an escape from the fast pace of business. “I’m not creative at all,” she laughs, “but Matt is the creative soul. We balance each other.”
Family gatherings are still a huge part of Jackie’s life, and she’s looking forward to spending more time with her extended family this summer. “I have an incredible group of nieces and nephews. They raised five strong-willed women,” Jackie says of her parents, “and left an amazing legacy.”
Words of Wisdom
For those climbing the real estate ladder, Jackie’s advice is simple but powerful:
“Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Use the systems developed by experts. Run it like a business. And most importantly — don’t just sell real estate. Invest in it.”
Jackie Shields is proof that there’s no “easy button” — but with heart, hustle, and the right mindset, you can build a career, a team, and a legacy that changes lives.
