Jamaica-born realtor MAKING MAJOR MOVES
Although she left Jamaica at the young age of seven to live in the bustling New York City, Tiffany Gray, a real estate broker, entrepreneur and author, has defied the odds and carved out a path of success.
And she has expressed the belief that this success is as a result of her Jamaican roots. Despite facing hardships from a young age, Gray’s resilience and determination propelled her to achieve remarkable milestones, ultimately leading her to give back to her homeland in profound ways. Raised by a single mother, Gray’s early years were marked by struggle and perseverance. At the age of 14, she began contributing to her family’s income by selling sweets at school, a common hustle for many Jamaicans navigating challenging circumstances. Later, she ventured into selling vacuum cleaners doorto-door, where she honed her salesmanship and cultivated a keen interest in real estate.
“I got into real estate at 19, doing mortgage loans and started selling houses,” she shared with THE STAR, reflecting on her early career endeavours. Driven by her desire to provide the best life for her family, Gray pursued further education and obtained her realtor licence in California in 2003. However, her personal life took a tumultuous turn when her marriage ended due to conflicts over embracing her Jamaican roots.
“He didn’t like the Jamaican culture, he didn’t like me listening to Jamaican music and he was very controlling. I moved to Georgia to get away,” she said. Undeterred, Gray relocated with her two children, determined to continue her professional journey. She attended Barney’s Fletcher in Georgia and there she obtained her broker’s licence.
“I was still doing real estate but then the market crashed. I was doing bad again,” she disclosed. Despite this, Gray remained resilient. Leveraging her passion for “serving others” and her culinary skills, she ventured into the food industry, earning recognition on the Food Network and opening her own restaurant. However, financial constraints led her back to her true calling, real estate.
In 2016, Gray founded T.A.M.G. Realty, a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. She has garnered accolades such as the Best of Georgia for four consecutive years.
“I’m going to be in Jamaica now, I just got my licence,” she said excitedly. Her ambitions extending beyond real estate. In 2020, she established Tiny Footprints Academy, a trilingual and STEM school in the US, with plans to expand its reach to Jamaica. Additionally, she launched Dynamic Duo LTD, a call centre aimed at creating job opportunities on the island and develop innovative software to streamline business operations and facilitate home ownership.
“With the software, you can be hands-on and see everything that’s going on with your business. One can maximise on their resources and it can show
you avenues to get a home because NHT doesn’t work for everyone,” she said.
With her book, Revering Turmoil, set for release on April 1, Gray’s journey of resilience and triumph serves as an inspiration to aspiring women worldwide. As she prepares to return to Jamaica permanently, she remains committed to empowering her community and driving positive change through her entrepreneurial ventures.