"As far as I know,'' says Leslie Jensen, "I am the only woman in the valley that is the sole proprietor of her own real estate company.''

Ten years ago, after four years as a real estate agent, working for someone else, Leslie decided to get her broker's license.

Since then Leslie has expanded her horizons considerably. Her business, Leslie Jensen and Company, is located on the third floor of Chabot Center at Hacienda Business Park. In December of 1983, Leslie came out to the Park to be a guest on "Women's Network'' a local cable television show for women. "We met in the Community Room and I fell in love with the building!", exclaims Leslie.

Leslie, a firm believer in the power of positive thinking ("You can have anything you really want if you're willing to work for it'') waited only a week after doing the television spot, before she came back and signed the lease in the center. She moved in a month later.

Although she started the company on her own, rapid expansion set in, and within six weeks she had hired six agents.

The company has now outgrown its original quarters and will soon be moving to newly completed and larger offices in the building.

When asked to what she attributes her rapid success, she replies quickly, "I listen to people. Very simply, when someone wants to buy a house, I listen to exactly what they want, then I direct them.'' Real estate, she feels is the "business of selling a service, not really just selling a house.'' To be a good salesperson, she says, "you need to recognize a customers' buying mood.''

Successful techniques often involve guiding the seller. For instance, improving a home's exterior appearance is critical. "First impressions are very important," she claims. "Most people who are selling their home have them too cluttered, or over-decorated.''

Other more common mistakes a seller could make are such things as following a prospective buyer around the house, or keeping it too dimly lit.

Obviously, Leslie is very good at her work. Even so, there are still times, she says, "when people don't take me seriously. But its crucial,'' she added, "for women especially, to learn not to take such treatment personally. Women haven't learned how to play the game like men have. They get their feelings hurt too easily and haven't learned to communicate properly.''

One of Leslie's future goals is to write a book. Topics like "Successful Women in Business and Sales" would be ideal for her. She has given many seminars on these subjects, as well as on investments and time management. "I really enjoy going to people and helping them out if I can.'' She especially delights in helping people who are disorganized by "showing them how to manage their time so they can have the free time to do what they really want to do.''

Self-sufficiency is also very important to Leslie. She has three daughters, all of whom are "very goal-oriented and successful. It's very different for young women today," she states. "When I was growing up there were so many limitations on women. I'm the overzealous type, so it pays to be my own boss,'' she says.

''Understanding that one is responsible for everything that happens to them,'' Leslie says, "was a revelation.''

"It's not your mother's fault, it's not the economy, or anything else, it's just you," she adds. If that's the case, then the future for this dynamic, vivacious and talented woman is secure.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: April 2, 1984 Pathways.