We were lucky to catch up with Angela Pierce recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

If I were to list the bosses I’ve had as an adult, there would definitely be some all-stars. Each one has left me with lessons and tools that continue to propel me not only in business, but also in personal life. For the past six years I’ve been a real estate agent with Keller Williams in downtown Chattanooga. My journey towards a real estate career started long before I ever considered getting my license…

In 2008, my husband and I decided to relocate to Chattanooga. We were connected with an agent who told me fairly early on that she didn’t “do the emails.” So we knew immediately she wasn’t going to be a fit for us. We came across another agent’s listings online, saw that she was young and ambitious, and I thought, surely she ‘does the emails.’ Her name was Bekah Cochran; we reached out and made a plan to view homes together that coming weekend. As soon as I met her I knew I wanted to be her friend. She’s magnetic, uplifting, and incredibly caring; everyone wants to be her friend. She helped us find and buy our home that year. And after the purchase, we remained in touch. Since we were new in town, she took us under her wing and helped us make friends and find our place here in Chattanooga.

When I decided to make a career change and was considering real estate, once again, Bekah
took me under her wing. She pointed me towards the best resources for my education and
licensing, she helped me connect with industry professionals to fast track my service abilities,
and after a few months she offered me a position on her team. This team became like a second
family, we were an unstoppable friend group; an unconditional camaraderie that I haven’t
experienced since elementary school. Bekah steered our team in a way that not only made us
excellent realtors, but we became better people because of her guidance. When most realtors
are schmoozing on the golf course or at networking events, Bekah took us to deliver donuts to
firefighters, paramedics, and schools. She coordinated a volunteer day at a local center for mentally challenged adults where we painted a mural-sized piece of artwork and made lasting friendships with folks whose paths we wouldn’t have otherwise crossed. And once a month, she arranged for us to read books to school classrooms at Siskin Children’s Institute. She taught us that kindness, thoughtfulness, and giving are the real keys to running a fulfilling business.

In addition to her generosity in business, Bekah is an incredible friend. She is always looking
for ways to lift up others, often with her children in tow. I see her teaching her children about
friendship in the same ways that she guided our team, delivering meals to friends who need a
little help, dropping off flowers for a friend that deserves to be thanked or congratulated, and
always including everyone no matter the occasion. She sees the best in everyone and loves
people where they are, and I see her kids following in her footsteps with their own friends and
teammates. Despite all of the qualities that make Bekah a good friend, there have been times
when others have not been a good friend to Bekah. It’s something I’ve seen in her personal life
and within the walls of our office; no matter how hard you try, no one makes it through life
without hurt and pain. But even in those circumstances, despite the temptation to wound
others in return, she still shows up with a smile, a hug, and a heart full of forgiveness.

I know I speak for many others when I say that some of the most significant moments of my
growth as a person and as a realtor were with Bekah cheering me on from the sidelines.
Whether it was helping me find my home, showing me how to have a business that gives
meaning to my life and the lives of those around me, or by being there for me in moments
when I felt all alone, I am so grateful for the impact Bekah has had on my life. I don’t think I’ll
ever get over just how lucky I was that that other realtor didn’t “do the emails.”

Angela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I completed real estate school and secured my real estate license towards the end of 2015 and I’ve been serving clients in the Chattanooga area for the past 6-7 years. Even though that may not seem like very long, my love of houses started at a very young age.

Growing up, my family lived in a barn. True story. Back in the 1970’s, my dad (a self-proclaimed hippie) was looking for his Camelot, as he called it. He wanted to transform his lifestyle from a place of privilege and opulence to gratitude and simplicity; living off the land and building a home with his own two hands. In 1977 he purchased our family property in Sparta, TN. It consisted of a large chunk of acreage and a dilapidated farm house that was, at the time, being used as a barn.

One of the greatest lessons that my dad ever taught me was that, as long as you know how to read, you can teach yourself how to do anything. He was a frequent flyer at the county library and taught himself how to establish a prolific garden, how to raise livestock, and how to build and restore a home. Over time, the farm grew and so did his family. He and my mom married in 1982; coincidentally this was also the year indoor plumbing was added. When I came into the picture in 1984, he added an additional wing onto the house. I can remember him showing me my new bedroom and seeing how much love had gone into creating this special space just for me. I learned at a very young age that a house is more than doors and walls. It’s a sanctuary.
It’s where you come for relief at the end of a long day. It’s where you celebrate some of life’s biggest moments. And also where you grieve some of the toughest losses.
Being trusted to guide people and glimpse into their private lives as they search for their own sanctuaries is an incredible honor. I know I’m biased, but I can’t imagine many careers more rewarding.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My background is hospitality and tourism. I started working at a hotel in college and realized it was something I was really good at. I’m a natural hostess and problem solver and this made me a great fit within the hospitality industry. I left college before graduating; my career was taking off without a degree and I thought I could go further if I jumped on the opportunities that were being presented at the time. I moved to a larger city, took a job at a huge hotel, and then I got pregnant. My life was flipped upside down but in the most beautiful way possible. After having my son and accepting that it was time to go back to work, I realized that my priorities had been seriously shifted. Nine months ago, I couldn’t wait to get to work. I’m fueled by accomplishments and this career choice was definitely resulting in accomplishments. But after going back to work I quickly realized that being good at something (being fueled) and loving something (being fulfilled) are two totally different things. Working outside the home and away from your family is really hard when you don’t love what you do. So, I quit. I walked away from hospitality but took all of my customer service and hostess skills with me and applied them to real estate. I was provided with a flexible schedule that allowed me to be present with my family. And the work I do fulfills me, which definitely makes it easier when I can’t be at home.

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

My source of leads is unique in my industry. Most agents pay for leads through third party sites like Zillow or Realtor.com. There are also agents who spend thousands of dollars using CRM management services, cold calling specialists, or farming neighborhoods the old fashioned way (USPS). My client base is solely repeat and referral. My friends, family, and past clients are who fill my pipeline. I’m especially fond of this lead generation model because my lead retention is practically 100%. I’m not trying to win or impress clients, they’ve connected with me because they feel like they already know me, like me, and trust me. This also creates a level of openness that allows me to serve them at a much higher level.

Contact Info:

• Website: angela-pierce.kw.com
• Instagram: @angelaismyrealtor.kw
• Facebook: @angelaismyrealtor.kw
• Twitter: @angelapiercekw

Image Credits
Kayla Krumm