Meet Jay Tolisano, a Fairfield Dad who runs The Jay Tolisano Team at CrossCountry Mortgage. Jay is well-known in Fairfield not only for helping countless families finance their homes, but also for supporting and promoting local small businesses and various community organizations.
Jay lives in Fairfield with his wife Kerry, two teenaged sons, Emmett & Kyle and two sweet doodles, Goose and Maverick. On most days you can find Jay at his office in the heart of Fairfield at 46 Miller Street or just down the block having lunch at this auxiliary offices, Joe Joe Coffee or Cosetta If you see Jay around town, be sure to say hello as Jay loves meeting new people in our community.
You can read more about Jay on fairfieldmoms.com & don’t forget check out his page https://www.facebook.com/TJTMG for solid real estate tips in his weekly reels.
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Fairfield?
Grew up in Hamden, CT, but have lived in Fairfield since 2001
Tell us about your Family!
Married to my wife Kerry for almost 24 years. We met in college at UConn in 1998! Two sons – Emmett, 18 rising Sophomore at Boston College and Kyle, rising Junior at Fairfield Prep. Two doodles – Goose (Irish Doodle) and Maverick (Labradoodle rescue)
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Love to go to country music concerts
One thing you wish someone would have told you about fatherhood?
That when sports for your kids end there is a big hole! So as much as it is a commitment and takes a ton of your time when you are done it can be a little odd!
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
Fairfield offers a little bit of everything – beaches, parks, golf, fishing, boating, etc.. It has been a special place to bring up our kids.
Best dad hack that makes your life easier?
I am a stickler for routine. I wake up at 4:30am most days and all my daily routines begin. It helps keep me focused on track and at my best for my family and my clients.
Tell us about your business, when & why you decided to start in this field?
I was in pharma sales for a few years before I decided to get into the mortgage business. My Mom has been a realtor since I was in high school so you can say “real estate is in my blood.” I dove in and never turned back and love what I do every day.
What is your background in this field?
My family, from Mom, Dad, to cousins and others are all self-employed. Being entrepreneurial and creating my own success is something I was born into!
What do you love about your job? Challenges you face?
I love creating relationships. I create those with referral sources (realtors, financial planners, CPA’s, attorneys and clients) and am then able to add value to their clients and business, and then I’m able to help folks in a very emotional and stressful time buy their biggest asset. We take pride in what we do to make the process as easy and stress free as possible when we know it largely isn’t. I always say if you don’t love what you do then do something else.
If you weren’t working in this industry, what do you think you would be doing today?
Coaching business owners, volunteering in some housing related field, boating, fishing, golfing and traveling.
Best advice for dads who experience the inevitable guilt handling a career and helping support a family?
Balance is not easy, but if you are disciplined with your time, you can fit it all in. I think it’s important to create the connection for your kids that your hard work helps to contribute to the great things that you are able to do as a family (sports, activities, vacations, going out to a fun dinner at your favorite spot).
Who has most influenced you to be the father that you are today?
My father
What advice would you share with a new dad or other dads?
Be all in. Spend all the time you can (coach sports, and be involved), do fun things and fun things and experiences are more important than gifts. Experiences over gifts all day!
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Fairfield to…
Have Dinner with Family:
Tie between Tequila Revolution and Wild Rice for our regular spots
Grab a Drink with Friends:
GAC on a cold winter night
Ryebird on a nice day sitting outside
Have a Date Night:
Luna Azzurra, Chelsea
Spend time together as a Family:
Out on the Long Island Sound
Outside Activities:
Boating, fishing, Golfing, and Walking
Grab coffee:
JoeJoe – where else!?