Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brittany Sundquist. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brittany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Taking a risk can be defined differently be each person. Many of those close to me would define me as a risk taker. I love adventure, I love to try new things, and definitely express my uniqueness and individuality without shame.

I however very much shy away from financial or professional risk. I have always put my family first, even when it meant I felt stagnant. I worked many years in restaurant management because it was safe. It allowed me to have a steady paycheck, it worked with my kid’s school hours, and it kept me in my comfort zone. For all those years, I put myself on the backburner, gave up my dreams for my family and let my mental health decline to all time low. I don’t regret it, ever, but I definitely lost a lot of my happiness and confidence through the process. I mentally was not ok and I knew that I needed to make a change for myself.

I had just turned 28 years old. I was burned out. I had been working my ass off for a company for almost 7 years without any acknowledgment or reward of my hard work. I was constantly over-looked because I didn’t fit their “brand” or idea of what upper management looked like. I was miserable. I had supported my husband while he got his degree, watched as he built his success, and I wanted that. I wanted to find my place, my thing, something that I could be proud of. Most importantly, I wanted to show my son that you can do anything. So I did, I took the risk.

I quit my job in September of 2021, went to Real Estate school, and was licensed by November 2021. Although I think I am pretty smart, good with numbers, and meticulously organized…I was starting from zero. I honestly had so much working against me and no idea where to start building clientele. I am not originally from the Houston area, so the majority of my sphere are far away, but I told myself that I would succeed. I had no other options. What I did have was drive. I grew up on a farm outside of Waco where I was lucky enough to learn from my father how important self-drive, resilience, and work ethic was. My childhood was not an easy one, but one thing it taught me was to always push forward and never give up.

So I kept at it. I sat in every class available to learn more, I was constantly expanding my mind and utilizing every little morsel of information I could get. I fully submerged myself into real estate. Within my first month, I had my first transaction and I have been gaining momentum ever since. I have no plans of stopping. Am I the top producer of the area? Hell no, but I am pushing my personal goals, achieving more than I thought I would in my first year, and helping others achieve their goals.

Brittany, 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 have always considered myself to be sort of an outcast. Not to say that I didn’t have friends growing up, more so I was someone who never really fit into one group. I always found friends in every place but still never felt accepted into a unit. Regardless, I believe that is what formed my greatest passion…my love for people. I thrive on learning from others and celebrating differences. I think that is what pushed me towards real estate. Real Estate is something everyone is a part of. Whether you are buying, selling, or renting a place, a home is something that ties us all together. Every single human deserves to have shelter. How is it that in something so universal there is still so much discrimination?

My main drive in my business is for people to feel accepted and comfortable. Money is great, yes. I like being able to pay my own mortgage, but my purpose is to help others. Those that may be afraid to ask questions, those who financially are struggling but need options, and those who are afraid of judgment based off their color, their religion, their gender, or who they love.

I can provide the resources and take someone step by step through the process just like any other real estate agent. What sets me aside is my heart, my willingness to advocate for my clients, and my communication. Through each transaction with my clients, we become family. I truly care for my clients and will do everything in my power to help them achieve their goal.

A little about my business, I work with buyers, sellers, home leases and apartment locating. I work with Down Payment Resource as a tool to help my clients find programs that can help them with upfront cost and I have many connections with other professionals in the real estate world to help make for a smooth transaction. I am a part of a wonderful non-profit, the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. The Alliance is an organization that is pushing to raise the rate of home ownership in the LGBTQ+ community. Our mission is to advocate, elevate, and celebrate. I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful group of people and to push for equality for all.

Those who may want to work with me, want to gain more knowledge about real estate investing, or find a home, know that my door is always open. Come as you are and know that you are accepted and that I cannot wait to get to know you and help you achieve your goals.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I have had to unlearn is to not conform to those around you. The real estate industry is viewed as this professional, business attire, moneybags of the world type of job. As I had said before, I came from a job where I was told I didn’t “look” professional enough. Here I was going into something with even more of a reputation for a certain look.

I knew there was a lot I could not change, such as my colorful hair, my tattoos, or my piercings. I did however try to present myself more professionally. In the beginning I would wear business attire, hide my tattoos and try to dull my shine as I would say. It really threw off a lot of my confidence but I thought it was necessary to fit in. I was afraid people would take one look at me, form their opinion, and not take me seriously.

I really believe that I missed out on a lot of business due to the fact that I was not being my full self. I felt uncomfortable in the business clothes and I think that directly affected how I presented myself. After many failed presentations / consultations I knew I needed a different approach. I knew the info, I knew the numbers, and I had all the knowledge…what I didn’t have was confidence.

One day it hit me. I wanted people to feel comfortable being themselves. I tell everyone around me to come as you are, be yourself, this is a no judgment zone, yet I wasn’t being true to myself. So I stopped wearing the dull business clothes, I stopped hiding my sarcastic, bubbly personality, and I started showing my authentic self. I began posting more on my socials that showed my weird, vulnerable and goofy sides and with that my business grew. I realized that there will always be enough tightly suited agent and I didn’t need to be one.

The world needs more authentic humans. More people to push the boundaries of the norm and more relevant stories. Even my kiddo, at 8 years old, knows that you shouldn’t change for others and that we don’t need to fit in a box. He is a huge reminder for me when I face judgement. My son has this amazing long blond hair. Like down his back long, and he gets picked on often by others that call him a girl, but he refuses to let anyone bring him down. It’s those that break out of the box that truly find happiness. I will continue to always be me. I hope those reading do too.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Every client I work with is a part of my journey, and I, in turn, am a part of theirs. Going through something that can be so stressful, although very rewarding, brings you closer. My clients are forever family to me. They have put their trust in me and ultimately helped support my family.

Although I am in the real estate business, I look at it as a people business. I will always try my best to keep my clients at the forefront of my mind regardless of how big or small I get. Supporting their business or ventures, sending handwritten letters, or keeping them updated on home maintenance tips are just a few ways I try to stay connected. I try to be a continued resource for them as well. They need an AC repair man or someone to help with updates, I got them.

It is important to remember those who support you and trust you. We should always be thankful of those that make an appearance in our life, no matter how brief.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bsellshomes.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanysundquist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittanysundquist
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqJuu4d61m3aUKGJdsob_tw