We recently connected with Kam Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Kam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your firm earns is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

I remember sitting at my desk at my corporate career as a landscape architect / Civil Engineer. I had been there for almost 9 years. I had worked extremely hard in my department, but I would never be considered for the management position. Therefore, one day I decided to start using my time more wisely by studying for my real estate license. Once, I passed the exam in September of 2014 then I had my first closing in December 2014. My very first client was my co-worker who knew of my work ethic and was willing to trust me with assisting her with her first home and my very first real estate transaction. I was so excited and proud of my first commission check that I earned for my own business that it motivated me to keep going. The other ways that I suggest to new agents or Realtors to gain clients that aren’t a friend, family or friend of a friend is to look into organizations that you’re an active member of. Also, the community that you live in. You have to start networking to build genuine relationships.

Kam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

People see your success, but don’t know what lead to that so let me tell you all a little bit about me. I’m originally from Fresno, California. I grew up in a two parent household with my older brother. My mother introduced me to real estate at very young age. My father assisted my mother with her real estate /construction business. Even though I knew I would be an architect one day, I still ended up in the real estate business. I moved to Atlanta to attend Clark Atlanta University because I wanted to experience attending an HBCU (Historical Black College & University). After graduating with a Bachelors of Civil Engineering degree, I began working as a Civil Engineer that mainly worked on projects for the airport. I realized real quickly that this wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. During my studies at CAU, my electrical engineering professor encouraged me to explore Landscape Architecture. Once I realized that I wanted to continue my education in that field, then I applied to Graduate school. Cornell University was encouraged by my electrical engineering professor. This was just the beginning of my journey of being a landscape designer with the combination of real estate.

The main problems that I solve on a daily basis is helping people figure out their housing needs and wants. Helping to make one of the biggest decisions in a person’s life means you have to solve many problems and keep a level head.

What sets me apart is my work ethic. No matter what, I’m going to get it done. I also offer other services at my real estate brokerage. Such as, landscape design and interior design. Having relationships with inspectors, closing attorneys, lenders, contractors definitely set me and my brokerage apart.

I’m most proud of opening my own real estate brokerage and actually hiring agents. Being able to help with agents development and success is a great feeling. I’m also most proud of how my clients become my genuine friends who depend on my expertise to guide them into purchasing and /or investing in a home.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me and my business has always been genuinely reaching out to friends that I already know. When I first started in the real estate business, I reached out to everyone in my phone contacts with some creative marketing. You have to let people know that you’re in the business and what you specialize in. In a world of social media, it allows people to hopefully get to know who you are. I’ve had new clients let me know that they looked at my social media and seen that we had mutual friends or some mutual interest. I also think a great source for new clients is joining organizations that you enjoy. For example, I learned how to play golf and I have meet some great connections. Being apart of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has also opened doors for new clients to support my business.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The biggest and most challenging pivot for me was going from my corporate career to an entrepreneur / business owner. I had to first change my mindset and really take some of the things that I learned in corporate and apply them to my own business. Such as, health care benefits, retirement, e.t.c. When you have to do a lot things for yourself then it causes you to make a pivot on your own or by force. When I left my corporate career, I said that I would do things when I felt like it. Meaning, I would grocery shop during the week instead of always going on the weekends. I would go to the gym in the middle of the day instead of before or after work. These are the mindset adjustments that I now have because I have freedom to create my own schedule. Now, that I have been an entrepreneur / business owner for almost 9 years, it would be hard for me to pivot back to a corporate career.

One thing, I have learned is you will always have to pivot your business to adjust with what’s going on in the world. In my case, it’s the real estate market. When it was a sellers market last year and properties were barely lasting one day, I had to pivot and become a listing agent. Now, that the market has calmed down because interest rates have increased then I can start back working with buyers in my business. Once again, change your mindset and it will make pivoting more manageable.

Contact Info:

• Website: Kamwilliamsrealtygroup.com
• Instagram: Kam_williams_realtygroup
• Facebook: Kam williams Realty Group
• Linkedin: Kam Williams Realty Group
• Youtube: Kam _Williams_RealtyGroup

Image Credits
Sean Cason with Sean Cason Photography