Nice discussion with the second candidate to get axed on the show.
Murtz Jaffer: Can you tell me a little bit about your background (before you got on the show)?
Jennifer Wallen: I was raised in a small, farm town South Fulton, TN. Population 2,500. I graduated from Murray State University, Murray KY in 1996 with a BA in Public Relations and Political Science. After working as a meeting coordinator for Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, TN, I quickly realized that to make the big bucks I needed to get into sales. I then went on to be the Director of Sales for a national hotel chain. In 1999 I met my husband, Jeff, and we moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2000. After getting my real estate license I started selling for one of the nation’s top builders Pulte/Del Webb Homes. Once again I realized that to make the bigger bucks and to be able to manage my own time I needed to leave the builder/new home sales and get into resale. In 2003 I opened Hot Realty, Inc. While still actively selling real estate, I now also oversee 70 plus agents and staff. Hot Realty is the fastest growing and top producing real estate company in Anthem, AZ. With offices in Phoenix and Scottsdale, I am currently working on opening two more this year. I also have a new venture, I am one of three partners in “Off the Hook Sushi & Martini Bar” also in Anthem, AZ.
MJ: Why did you originally apply to be on The Apprentice?
JW: My husband and I both love watching the show. It was Jeff that encouraged me to do it. We both saw this as an opportunity of a life time. With my business and background in real estate what better way to study than with the king of real estate himself Donald Trump.
MJ: You seemed to be too nice for a cutthroat show like this one. Do you agree?
JW: Everyone has said, “You are too nice.” If that is the worst complaint that I get, then no problem. I can live with that.
MJ: What went wrong with the task?
JW: Several things and time management was one. We spent way too much time at Best Buy and did not work on our actual presentation the night before. I asked Rebecca several times to let me go get what I needed so I would not have to run around getting things the morning of and she said no. Where we decided to spend our money was another factor. We had $1,200. Six hundred dollars was set aside for Felisha to get posters she had designed through Kinko’s. I was told by Rebecca not to use the in-house caterer, because they were too expensive. I was given $260 for all food, beverages and the rest of the décor. We had a very militant Project Manager, which in turn, brought our team moral down. The women were not unified.
MJ: What went wrong with the cake?
JW: I asked the bakery to put the words Techno Expo on the cake. Instead they put Tethno Expo.
MJ: Do you regret not stepping up to be a project manager so that you could control your own destiny?
JW: No, when Rebecca said she wanted to be PM, I was willing to let her step up and see what she could do. I do wish that I would have had the chance to be PM on another task.
MJ: Who do you blame the most for your exit?
JW: Rebecca
MJ: What did you think of the rest of your castmates?
JW: Some of them are exceptional people that I can see myself staying in touch with be it friendship or business.
MJ: What do you think about George and Carolyn and how much involvement do they have in the show?
JW: They are both very tough. They do stop in while the task is going on, asking questions and surveying who’s doing what. They don’t stay long… just long enough.
MJ: Why do you think Toral wasn’t brought into the boardroom?
JW: Rebecca did not want to bring her in. She likes Toral and in Rebecca’s own words “Toral is the only women who can beat the men.” Rebecca said that she wanted to keep her integrity, but does that mean she has to make the wrong choice? Classic case of friendship resulting in poor judgment.
MJ: If you were to design a task for the Apprentice, what would you put together?
JW: It would be a revenue generating task, those are my favorite.
MJ: One of the questions that I have been wondering is how many outfits you bring to the suite. Do you buy new clothes while you are there?
JW: Production gives you a list of what you should bring. How many suits, how many casual outfits, coats, sleep wear etcetera. We have to supply all our own clothes and personal items. They take our money so unfortunately there is no time and no means to shop.
MJ: On the cast, who did you like the most, like the least, would fire next and would hire to be your Apprentice?
JW: Toral should be fired. I would hire Randall. I liked several people. Alla and I are both 31, married with children, business owners, we both live in Anthem Country Club she Nevada me Arizona, and we both have a son name Triston. How funny is that? Mark L., Kristi, and I all share southern roots. Josh, Brian, and Chris always kept me laughing. There are several people that I plan to stay in contact with.
MJ: Do you think you could hook me up with Rebecca?
JW: She does have a boyfriend, but I will see what I can do.
MJ: Thanks for your time, Jennifer. Is there anything that you would like to plug?
JW: Log onto www.jenniferwallen.com for links to more photos, Hot Realty, Off the Hook and more. Also if you are looking to move to AZ or for a great investment contact me.
