Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Morono.
Hi Janice, 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 story began almost 20 years ago in sales. I enjoyed connecting with people, understanding what they needed, and working toward a goal. As my career progressed, I moved into a business development management role, where I had the opportunity to help grow a team and develop my leadership skills.
That experience taught me a lot about what I wanted from my career. I loved learning, leading, and helping others succeed, but I also wanted to stay directly involved in sales. I wanted to build relationships with clients and be the person helping them move from that first conversation to a successful outcome.
I decided to pursue my real estate license. At the time, I was working five days a week and every other Saturday, with a commute of more than an hour through Houston traffic. Finding time to study alongside that schedule took commitment, but I was motivated to build a career that felt more aligned with my strengths and ambitions.
Real estate appealed to me because it brought together the things I enjoyed most: sales, relationships, problem-solving, and the opportunity to take ownership of my work. It also meant helping people with a decision that could have a lasting impact on their lives. That decision to pursue a different path became the starting point for the career I have today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Each stage has taught me something valuable. After completing my classes and passing my licensing exam, I became a licensed Realtor in 2010. One of the first challenges was building rapport and earning trust as a new agent. I knew how hard I was willing to work, and people needed time to see that for themselves. My approach was to keep learning, follow through on my commitments, and show clients that I was invested in helping them.
In 2016, while working as a full-time Realtor, I had the opportunity to purchased a martial arts gym in Spring, Texas. Taking on another business was exciting, but it also required an honest look at how much I could give to both. I have always wanted to provide my clients with my best, and I knew growing the gym would need a significant amount of my time and attention. I made the decision to step back from real estate, maintain my license, and handle only personal transactions while focusing on the gym.
Gracie Barra The Woodlands went from a failing business to the largest martial arts gym in North Houston. That growth took years of work, consistency, and building a team that shared our commitment to our students. Along the way, we built a place where children and adults could develop confidence, learn discipline, form friendships, and feel part of a community. Seeing people grow stronger, believe in themselves, and support one another has been one of the most rewarding parts of owning the gym.
Today, we are fully staffed with coaches and a Program Director, with my husband, UFC veteran Alex Morono, leading as Head Professor. Having that team in place has allowed me to return to real estate in full force, bringing the experience of building a business, leading a team, and developing lasting relationships with me.
Both roles give me the opportunity to serve the community in meaningful ways. At the gym, we help people build confidence and a sense of belonging. As a Realtor, I help people navigate major life changes and find a place where they can build their future. Whether someone is stepping onto the mats for the first time or buying or selling a home, they are putting their trust in us. I take that responsibility seriously.
One of the biggest lessons along the way has been learning where my attention is needed most and building the support needed to give people my best. That has allowed me to stay involved in two businesses that connect me to the community and give me opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Realtor serving buyers and sellers in Spring and The Woodlands, with a focus on helping people make informed decisions that fit their goals. Whether someone is buying their first home, moving into a larger home, relocating to the area, or preparing to sell, I take the time to understand their situation and guide them through their options.
My work begins well before a home goes on the market or a buyer schedules their first showing. For sellers, that can mean deciding which improvements are worthwhile, coordinating preparations, and developing a pricing and marketing strategy. For buyers, it can mean connecting them with a lender, discussing financing options, and helping them understand the neighborhoods and homes that best fit their needs.
I have a network of professionals I can connect clients with throughout that journey, including lenders, title professionals, inspectors, contractors, roofers, etc. Those relationships continue to be useful beyond closing, when a homeowner may need help with repairs, renovations, or maintaining their property. I want my clients to feel comfortable reaching out long after they receive their keys or sell their home.
What sets me apart is the combination of my sales background, business ownership experience, and connection to the community. As co-owner of Gracie Barra The Woodlands, I have spent years building relationships with local families and helping create a place where people feel supported. Spring and The Woodlands are where I work, build relationships, and contribute to the community. That connection shapes how I serve my real estate clients.
I take pride in being approachable, working hard, and continuing to learn so I can better serve the people who trust me. I am most proud of building two businesses that allow me to make a meaningful contribution to people’s lives. Through the gym, we help people develop confidence and a sense of belonging. Through real estate, I help people find their place in the community and navigate some of their biggest life decisions. In both roles, my goal is to build lasting relationships and be someone people know they can count on.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is taking care of my relationships. When someone chooses to work with me, they are trusting me with an important part of their life, and I take that seriously. I want my friends and clients to feel confident that I will listen, communicate honestly, follow through, and keep their best interests at the center of my work.
I am here for the long haul. That means being available before they are ready to make a move, guiding them through buying or selling, and remaining someone they can turn to beyond closing. Sometimes that means helping them plan their next step; other times, it means connecting them with a professional or simply being available to answer a question.
I want people to feel comfortable referring me to their friends and family because they know how I will care for them. A referral is someone putting their own reputation behind my name, and that means a great deal to me. Earning that confidence—and continuing to honor it over the years—is what matters most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janicemoronorealtor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janice.morono
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-morono-637282234/
