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As one of the top commercial real estate brokers in Indianapolis, Jenna Barnett has a strong instinct for matching the right businesses with the right properties.
“I love what I do. It pulls together a lot of different aspects of business,” said Barnett, who grew up near West Lafayette and studied finance at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most successful companies in Indianapolis,” Barnett said. “Watching them grow and thrive, and being in touch with that level of energy at those companies is very rewarding.”
Her client list is a who’s who of top local companies: ExactTarget, Blue & Co., Software Engineering Professionals, DSS Consulting and Axis Architecture, among others.
The one downside to her business, she said, is that it tends to be 100-percent commission. “If you can overcome that, make some personal sacrifices,” it can become very worthwhile, she said.
She joined Indianapolis-based Halakar Properties Inc., an independent commercial real estate company, in 2005, and is partners with Ralph Balber and Todd Maurer, son of IBJ co-owner Mickey Maurer.
On Jan. 1, Halakar affiliated with Newmark Knight Frank, a global real estate company headquartered in New York City, and will be known locally as Newmark Knight Frank Halakar.
A self-described entrepreneur, Barnett enjoys working at the company, where being part of the ownership team gives her independence and flexibility.
The flexibility is especially important so she can spend as much time as possible with her family. She and her husband have two sons, 6 and 4.
A young family is one reason she plans business trips to be as compact as possible. “I’m pretty well-connected regardless of where I am,” thanks to her laptop and iPhone.
She is wrapping up a term as president of the Women’s Auxiliary of Noble of Indiana, an organization that serves people with special needs.
“I just fell in love with the organization and the impact Noble makes on people’s lives every day,” she said. “Outside of spending time with my own family, it’s the most rewarding thing I do.”•
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