We were lucky to catch up with Andi Manes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andi, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

Before starting my own business as a REALTOR® and designer, I led a nonprofit that served as the umbrella organization for the community’s chamber of commerce, tourism bureau, economic development arm, and even some Main Street responsibilities. Our mission was broad—we ran events, recruited and retained businesses, and advocated for them at the local, state, and federal levels.

During my nine years in this position, one lesson kept resurfacing so often that I eventually built a consulting business around it: a business or organization must listen to its stakeholders, members, and clients; and those people must feel listened to before they can ever be loyal and invested in what you’re trying to do.

One of the clearest examples came from managing our region’s largest festival. The event had outgrown our small office and the community’s capacity to provide the volunteers, sponsorships, and resources needed. We struggled with declining sponsor interest, fewer volunteers, and waning business support.

Instead of making assumptions, our planning committee sat down with the very people we relied on: key volunteers, local business owners, and sponsors. We asked them what wasn’t working and truly listened. Their feedback revealed that the event, while popular, had become overwhelming and difficult to sustain.

From those conversations, we made a bold change. We divided the massive festival into four smaller events, each on separate weekends throughout the summer. This strategy paid off: marketing was more targeted, reaching the right audience for each type of event, volunteers were more available, since each event required fewer people, businesses saw more sustained economic impact, with visitors shopping and dining over multiple weekends instead of just once a year, and guests had a better experience, since shops and restaurants weren’t overcrowded, after the first year, the results spoke for themselves; each event was stronger, more manageable, and better supported by the community. That success taught me the power of listening first and solving second.

From this experience, I created a small consulting business by helping businesses and organizations identify roadblocks and uncover solutions by truly hearing their stakeholders. Today, I still use this same philosophy in my real estate and design business, and occasionally I will take on a new small business or organization that is “stuck.” Listening deeply doesn’t just solve problems; it builds loyalty, investment, and long-term success.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey into real estate began with a hard lesson. In my mid-twenties, I bought a home I had no business owning. It was too much for me to handle, and my agent never asked the right questions to truly understand my needs or whether I could manage the property. Later, when purchasing my second home, I worked with an agent who had lived in the community her entire life. I trusted her expertise, but the result was a house in an awful location with hidden issues; from heavy traffic at all hours to property lines that weren’t what I was led to believe. That experience left me with more than just a poor investment; it gave me a determination to understand real estate inside and out.
As a single parent, I spent years building a career across industries: nonprofit management and fundraising, publishing (as VP of marketing and sales), economic development, small business advocacy, and large-scale event planning. Each role sharpened my skills in project management, marketing, promotion, problem-solving, and business leadership. And through it all, real estate never left my mind.

When the time was right, I finally made the leap. Today, I bring every bit of my diverse background to the real estate world. My clients don’t just get someone to buy or sell their home; they get a partner who knows how to manage complex projects, market effectively, organize spaces beautifully and functionally, and anticipate challenges before they become obstacles.

What sets me apart is not just my experience but my empathy. I’ve walked through nearly every kind of life transition my clients face: international relocations, growing families, divorce, loss, downsizing, and moving closer to or away from family. Because I’ve lived these experiences, I don’t just guide clients through a transaction; I walk with them through a life change.

For me, buying or selling a home is never just about real estate; it’s about life. And I’m here to make sure my clients feel supported, understood, and confident at every step of the journey.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2016, life brought both joy and upheaval. My fiancé, a member of the military, proposed just as my son was graduating high school. We had planned a December wedding so my son could walk me down the aisle, but when overseas orders came for August, everything changed. I resigned from my nine-year career, wrapped up community commitments, sold my home, planned a graduation party and wedding, and prepared my son for college; all within months. The pivot was exhausting, but it also opened the door to three incredible years living in Europe, an experience that reshaped my perspective on life.

When my husband’s next assignment was an unaccompanied duty station, I returned to the U.S. alone, but this time armed with my real estate license, new confidence, and a passion to serve. Moving to my husband’s previous home, a large community where I had no connections, was daunting. With both my husband and son gone, I immersed myself in networking, learning the housing market, and building trust. Along the way, I discovered a love for creating marketing materials, videos, and social media. What began clumsily soon became strengths that fueled a thriving referral business and allowed me to expand into helping clients organize and design their spaces.

In late 2023, I faced yet another pivot; shuttering my growing business in one state to start fresh in another I had never lived in. This new, smaller market is competitive and fast-growing, but each day I push to set myself apart. My goal is not to be a one-dimensional sales agent but to be a trusted resource and partner for both my clients and the community.

Each pivot has reinforced the same truth: change is demanding, but it creates opportunity. I’ve learned that resilience, adaptability, and service are not just survival tools; they are the foundation of lasting success.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Starting over has been a recurring theme in my life, and when the opportunity came to relaunch my real estate career, I embraced it. This time, however, I was 53 and stepping into a smaller market where breaking in wasn’t as easy as before. What I did have was experience, wisdom, and the confidence that if I stayed consistent, my reputation as a professional, reliable resource would carry me forward.

I focused on building trust by showing up regularly. Through social media and email, I share market updates, home maintenance and organization tips, buying and selling insights, and—just as importantly—personal stories. I believe that buying a home (or commercial property) is one of the biggest investments people will ever make, and trust is the foundation of that relationship. My mom said, “to know me is to love me”, and I’ve found people feel more comfortable doing business with people they know.

Part of my authenticity has been leaning into my own journey, including the challenges of menopause. By sharing how I educated myself, made lifestyle changes, and even lost 35 pounds, I’ve connected deeply with other women, who, statistically, are often the decision-makers in choosing an agent and most matters of the home. Add in the adventures of my adorable dog; my content feels personal, relatable, and real.

Beyond marketing, I’ve embedded myself in the community. I joined service organizations, my local chamber of commerce, and my church. I’ve offered business consulting to small nonprofits, contributed design ideas, sponsored activities like Trunk or Treats in my neighborhood, and even raised funds by skydiving for charity. Each step reinforced that I’m not just here to ask for business; I’m here to contribute and serve. I strive to be relevant.

Over time, these efforts have built a reputation grounded in consistency, contribution, and connection. I’m not just a REALTOR®; I’m a trusted resource, a neighbor, and an active member of the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andimanes.unitedrealestatelouisville.com/index.html
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andimrealtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andimanessells
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-manes-292458a/

Image Credits

professional head shots – Bob Knoll, all other images are credited to Andi Manes