Jackie Socha is the general manager of Kirkland Urban, a mixed-use development set on 11 acres of land in the heart of Downtown Kirkland. Learn about Jackie Socha…
What is your hometown? Stockholm, Sweden
What was your first job? I started my first job as a barista at Lady Latte in Mill Creek, WA, when I was 15 years old.
What are your favorite ways to spend your free time in WA? In my free time, I enjoy trying new local restaurants and day-tripping to explore new towns.
What is your biggest accomplishment and why? I am proud to say that I am a mother to two girls, ages 10 and 4, and a homeowner.
What is the biggest obstacle you overcame? There are many obstacles inherent to being a single mom trying to balance my work, personal life and family. Every day brings a new adventure, and I am inspired to see what goals I can achieve next.
Who is someone who inspires you and why? Brooke Maura, my colleague working for JLL at Kirkland Urban. Like me, she is a single mom who can relate firsthand to my daily successes and struggles. Brooke gets stuff done and is never without a creative solution to a problem.
What advice would you give to someone pursuing a career path in what you do? Always do the extra work, even if you think no one is looking. Say yes to every opportunity to learn something new, as every chance of failure is also a moment to grow. Don’t let vulnerability get the best of you.
What is your favorite quote? “Be brave enough to be bad at something new.”
What is something someone would be surprised to learn about you? English is my second language – I grew up speaking Swedish at home with my family.
What makes someone fabulous? Confidence!