Judie Ferraro

About Judie Ferraro

What is your work experience?

For nine years I worked as a wholesaler for children’s accessories. Twice a year I attended The United Jewelry Show and selected a variety of kiddie jewelry, barrettes, hand painted socks and other miscellaneous items, which made up my line. I sold my line of merchandise to about 40 children’s shops and department stores throughout Connecticut and New York. I had a lot of help from my Grandmother keeping my business going while my children were babies, but things became more complicated when my children were in school and some appointments were over an hour away. That’s when I decided to take an interior design certification course at Albertus Magnus College. I managed to do some part-time freelance work for several years before finally settling on a career in real estate. I knew that real estate would offer me the flexibility to work around my children’s schedules. My children are now grown so that tells you how long I’ve been in the real estate business.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A dancer; as a child I took tap and ballet dance lessons. As an adult I got back into dancing and took a couple of jazz classes and most recently one in hip-hop dance.

Who has influenced you most?

To me, my dad has always been the smartest person in the world in spite of his lack of formal education. I never asked him a question that he didn’t know the answer to. His knowledge may not have come from formal schooling, but his life experiences taught him more than what he could have possibly learned from a classroom. For 25 years he worked as a machine operator in a silverware factory. He bounced right back when he was laid off from that job and landed a better one as a sales & service representative for a time recording equipment company. He never considered himself a salesman, but he did it and he did it very well. My dad and I have that in common – I don’t necessarily consider myself a salesperson either. I feel that houses sell themselves and that buyers make their own decisions about which house to purchase. I see myself as a facilitator, bringing buyers and sellers together. And of course I handle all of the details to make the transaction work.

Who do you admire most?

My mother who, at 81 years young, is happiest when she’s entertaining family & friends. She thinks nothing of hosting a Memorial Day picnic every year for a minimum of 60 relatives and does all of the cooking and preparation herself. She has a very realistic attitude about life. She has taught me to accept whatever you can’t change I have never met anyone with a more positive outlook on life.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

My beach house on Misquamicaut Beach, Rhode Island. After 20 years I still can’t believe it’s really mine! I actually “kiss” my walls when I walk through the door because I’m so thrilled to be there. It’s the only place where I can truly relax. When I look up and down that stretch of sand and blue water I may as well be on a tropical island. The sand is so fine and the water so clear that you can see straight down to your feet. The huge waves are great for boogie boarding. No other beach could be any better to me! It’s my heaven on earth!

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