Today we’d like to introduce you to DiEma Hicks.
Hi DiEma, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey in Dallas began in August 2009 when I relocated from Denver, Colorado, to complete my nursing degree at the University of Texas at Arlington. Unfortunately, my plans took an unexpected turn. I applied for the nursing program and was not accepted. This denial completely deterred me.
At that point, I had already completed two years of schooling at the University of Colorado at Denver, in addition to the coursework I completed at UTA. That meant that I had spent a total of 4 years in college but wasn’t expecting to graduate on time. Graduating at 24 years old instead of 22 was not on my bingo card. Growing up, I had always aspired to become a pediatrician, and I believed that working in the medical field was my destiny. However, as they say, “Tell God your plans, and he’ll show you otherwise.” & that’s exactly what happened to me!
Determined to get back on track, I graduated from UTA with my Bachelor of Science degree and began working in the corporate world. I had a friend who was a teacher’s assistant at the time and often bragged about the numerous breaks she received. I never imagined that I would end up in education. My dad (RIP) was an educator and I swore I could never be a teacher but guess what? That’s exactly where I’ve spent the last 12 years of my life.
I even went on to earn a Master’s degree with the Principal certification. I thought I was onto something….destined for greatness and making a significant impact in the field of education! Chile, the DELUSION! Working in education took a literal toll on my physical and mental health, and I suffered year after year.
Determined to find something else, I remember mentioning my desire to enter the real estate industry to my significant other at the time. I had always been an avid viewer of shows like “House Hunters” on HGTV. One day, he called me and said, “How much are your classes?” After confirming the amount, he told me to get registered and that he had already sent the necessary funds to cover it! From that moment on, it was UP!
As of today, I’ve been licensed 4 1/2 years! For four of those years, I also remained full-time employed as a teacher. I always said I would be ready to quit teaching full-time when I doubled my teaching salary, but in real estate. Again, remember what we said earlier about God‘s plan versus yours? Well, last school year, 2024-2025, was a huge mental and physical battle for me, and I finally decided to choose me.
I officially quit teaching in August 2025 and honestly, I’m still in awe that I did it. Teaching and Real Estate have both been rewarding, but I’m no longer interested in having to choose a job over my health. Let’s be real, these jobs don’t give a d*** about you! Because of that, I am completely over the politicking, the micromanaging, the micro aggression…. Y’all can have it!
Lord knows I was terrified to make this leap but it was long overdue. I held on to that job so hard that God literally had to FORCE me out. I lost sleep about this decision. How was I supposed to know I did the right thing?
Fast forward to December 18th, the day before my 37th birthday. I got an email from my brokerage with names of the top producers for the month of November. To my surprise, I was number one for my office! All of the fear/doubts I’ve had were just confirmed to be wrong!
I say this to say follow your gut and most of all, follow your purpose. Do what makes you happy, wholeheartedly. It may sound contradicting seeing as though I worked in education, but in today’s world, I am a firm believer of living in purpose versus cliché talk about going to college, getting degrees….. blah, blah, blah! It’s 2026! Don’t settle for a job, a personal, DO NOT SETTLE. Don’t ever be like me and become a slave to a company because of the money either. Money will come! Peace and good health is irreplaceable! You deserve whatever your heart desires!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey hasn’t been easy at all. For me, the biggest obstacle was and still is, re-wiring my brain. By this I mean I’m struggling to re-wire my brain into understanding that there’s more than one way to be successful in life. I was raised that you go to school, get good grades, then go to college, etc. I was never taught to follow what I’m passionate about.
The other biggest obstacle while on this journey has been finding clients. In real estate, they teach you to “work your sphere” but what do you do when no one in your sphere is in a position to buy a home? I know on TV, they make having or finding clients look so easy but Lord…. This was a challenge!
You learn very quickly that the people around you aren’t your support system. Hell, you’re more likely to get support from a stranger than you are from friends and family. You will take it personal, in the beginning, but after awhile you learn to accept it and move on. You want to work with people who want to work with you!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Texas REALTOR® based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex with JPAR Real Estate. I specialize in residential leasing and sales, with a strong focus on working-class families, first-time buyers, and investors who need clarity, speed, and execution, not guesswork. A significant portion of my business involves high-volume leasing, including Section 8 and voucher-approved placements, where precision, compliance, and follow through are non-negotiable.
I’m known for being extremely process-driven and client-protective. I run my business with clear systems, defined timelines, and strong communication standards. My clients know exactly what’s happening, what’s required of them, and what the next step is, at all times. I don’t overpromise, I don’t disappear, and I don’t leave money or details on the table.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to convert renters into homeowners and help repeat landlords scale their portfolios. Many of my clients come to me frustrated, confused, or previously underserved and leave with a clear path forward and tangible results. I’ve built long-term relationships, not one off transactions.
What sets me apart is that I treat real estate like a business, not a side hustle, anymore. I combine strong market knowledge with operational discipline, legal awareness, and high-level organization. I advocate hard, I move fast, and I hold a high standard for myself and everyone involved in the transaction. Clients who value professionalism, transparency, and execution tend to stay with me and refer me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has played a role in timing and exposure, but not in outcomes. I’ve had moments of good fortune, being in the right market at the right time, meeting key people early in my career; and I’ve also faced setbacks that forced me to adapt faster than I wanted to. Both have been instructive.
What I’ve learned is that luck only creates opportunity; it doesn’t create results. Preparation, systems, and consistency do that. When things have gone well, it’s been because I was positioned to act decisively. When things haven’t, it’s usually revealed gaps that I was then able to fix and turn into strengths.
In business, especially real estate, relying on luck is a liability. Markets shift, clients change, and deals fall apart. I’ve built my business to be resilient to that through process, discipline, and diversification, so success isn’t dependent on chance. If luck shows up, I’m ready for it. If it doesn’t, the business still runs.
That perspective has shaped how I operate: control what can be controlled, prepare for volatility, and never confuse momentum with permanence.
Pricing:
- Free service to all buyers, sellers, renters, etc.
- However, my broker does charge a $350 brokers fee to buyers/sellers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://diemahicks.jpar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diemaepiphany?igsh=MWZnaHFnZnhnZnMwZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EL9KJoVKs/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@diemaepiphany?si=F84znKgVdfJD6nZl
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@diemaepiphany?_r=1&_t=ZT-92UIVMnqjKI
Image Credits
@126_photography
