We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Sheppard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.
I currently work on a team with my mom, a 20 year real estate veteran. We both bring different skill sets to the table which truly complement each other. We also share a common vision in delivering the highest level of service for our clients. We believe that relationships are paramount, and we pride ourselves in nurturing these connections both with clients and our peers within our industry. Our company is also lead by a family, the Wolfs, who exemplify what it means to be dedicated to exceptional service & results. Their integrity in business & unwavering commitment to their agents & clients alike are what we value most about working at The Agency Hall & Hunter. Whether blood related or not, our global network of offices collaborates & supports each other like a big & diverse family.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
An accomplished & results-driven executive, Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in luxury sales and marketing to The Agency Hall & Hunter where she currently works on a team with her mother Pam Gray, a 20-year real estate veteran. Lauren has spent almost 20 years devoted to the luxury sector, providing forward-thinking and dynamic sales & marketing strategies for a diverse set of businesses including luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, nightclubs, cocktail lounges. Lauren understands the art of the deal, that relationships are paramount, and how to deliver unparalleled client service. Lauren founded a boutique luxury marketing firm in NYC in 2012, serving a prestigious list of globally-based hospitality clients in top jet-set destinations around the world including St Barth, St Tropez, Dubai, London, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Punte del Este, Miami, LA, & New York City. She has successfully launched over 22 properties in 6 countries through her time in the hospitality industry. After 10 years in New York and 7 in Chicago, she decided to return to her midwestern roots and re-set her focus on real estate, an industry she has been passionate about for years. Armed with this global branding experience and big city hustle, Lauren brings a unique and fresh perspective to real estate, and an entrepreneurial skill set that drives her to consistently achieve exceptional results for her clients.
A Birmingham, Michigan native, Lauren is thrilled to be living & working in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community, an area that she is intimately familiar with. Lauren is an avid sports fan and passionate foodie who enjoys cooking & family time with her husband Ryan and daughters Everly & Isla. She received her Bachelors degree in Advertising from the prestigious Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
What Sets Me Apart?
• Exceptional Client Service: My dedication to the highest level of client service is at the foundation of what I do. Every client receives my complete attention, unwavering loyalty & next-level support. Status quo is never an option. Consider me your white-glove personal concierge.
• Effective & Clear Communication: My dedication to strong and clear communication makes every transaction seamless for my clients. You’ve got questions? I will find the answers.
• Local Market Mastery: As a Birmingham native, I have a deep knowledge of the market in which I work, allowing me to provide expert advice & guidance to my clients.
• Agility & Big City Savvy: I have spent 20 years of my career working in some of the biggest and most competitive cities in the country and know how to adapt to any situation or environment quickly & effectively. I’m no stranger to the hustle, and I know exactly what it takes to edge out the competition. My global experience in fast-paced, major luxury markets all over the world give me a unique perspective on how to tailor an individual strategy to each client.
• Exceptional Negotiation Skills: Throughout my career I have had the privilege of sitting across the negotiating table from prominent business leaders and formidable figures. This experience has provided me with an invaluable skill set when it comes to negotiating in any situation. I understand the art of the deal, and this allows me to deliver exceptional results for my clients.
• Powerful Business Network: It’s not only what you know but who you know. I have a powerful and vetted business network across many complimentary industries, allowing me to tap into my resources at a moment’s notice to get a deal done.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I started my marketing firm in NYC back in 2012, I knew it was going to be a risk and a challenge, but one that had huge upside potential. As an entrepreneur I was prepared for the ups & downs, but nothing was more difficult than losing my first client due to budget cuts. In the moment I knew that I could either dwell on the negative or pick myself up and hustle harder. The very next day I was able to win my biggest client and re-set the trajectory of my business. While this was the most pivotal moment for my business, it wasn’t going to be the last time I faced an uphill battle. I learned early on that in order to succeed as an entrepreneur in the most competitive city in the world, you have to be resilient every day. I value these setbacks tremendously as it taught me to have grit and set me up for future success.
Have you ever had to pivot?
The biggest pivot of my career is when I transitioned from luxury marketing to real estate almost 3 years ago, after a couple of years out of the workforce to start my family. I questioned whether my business skills would be rusty or if I still had the drive that I once did. Fortunately it has been the best decisions of my career to take a chance on an industry I have been passionate about for years. I love what I do and wouldn’t change a thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theagencyre.com/agent/lauren-sheppard
- Instagram: @laurensheppardhomes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSheppardHomes
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-sheppard-70902649/