Jennifer Castillo

Texas Christian University Neeley School of Business

“Dedicated single mom who’s changing the world by teaching women to make their own money.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I learned to speak Arabic in the Air Force. I was an Arabic Linguist and worked the Middle Eastern missions for the National Security Agency during my time in the military.

Undergraduate School and Major: Pepperdine University, Bachelor’s degree in Business Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: President & Founder of both MONEY INC and MONEY HAUSE- Mortgage Brokerage and Real Estate Consulting Firm.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of TCU Neeley’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? TCU Neeley is at the forefront of finance and new currencies across business schools in the country and they have an incredible entrepreneurship program. I came back to school, specifically to TCU Neeley, to equip myself with the tools necessary to disrupt my industry and take it to the next level. We have such a unique opportunity living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As one of the fastest growing cities in the country and the fourth largest metropolitan in the U.S., we are a corporate hub. That is why so many major companies are relocating here. We have a healthy market, a strong workforce and no state income tax. It is the perfect storm for corporations and entrepreneurs to thrive. Additionally, Dallas-Fort Worth is such a loyal city with so much pride for TCU. You can walk into any local business in town and see TCU merchandise hanging on its walls. They are truly proud of the students, faculty, staff and alumni that make up the TCU community.  Dallas-Fort Worth is Frog Nation!

What course, club or activity excites you the most at TCU Neeley? I am most excited about Professor Michael Sherrod’s entrepreneurship class. During our START Workshop, an immersive two-week experience required for all MBA students before classes start, Sherrod talked about how his top students made around a quarter of a million dollars in his class. I was so inspired by him and really want to break that record! My goal is to break into the start-up world and integrate tech with lending so homeowners can tap into their home equity immediately, and buyers can purchase homes in a matter of minutes.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The biggest accomplishment in my career so far was making the decision to risk a steady paycheck and go to work for myself. It has been both the scariest and most rewarding decision I have made. There are times when business is booming and also times when the uncertainty is tough. Nevertheless, once you have a taste of freedom, you will never go back and you will do whatever it takes to pull through any challenge.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? “Relentless” by Tim Grover. In the book, Grover talks about when Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles tendon during a game against the Warriors in 2012. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. A third-degree tear to the Achilles will cause the tendon to snap in half, rendering one unable to walk on it. Instead of collapsing and being carried off the court, Kobe Bryant continued the game. He hopped onto the free throw line to finish playing. He made both shots. That is the epitome of relentless. It is one of my favorite books that has challenged me to perform on a more elite level by not folding or giving up when the rest of the world would deem it acceptable to do so.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into TCU Neeley’s MBA program? My advice to anyone contemplating pursuing an MBA at the TCU Neeley School of Business would be to step out of your comfort zone and embrace this next challenge in life. You may not feel ready now — whether academically or financially, but you will become who you need to be along the way. The sacrifice you make will pay off tenfold. In just a few short weeks, I have already become a different version of myself and I cannot wait to continue on this journey with my cohort.

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