We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christine Elias a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I earned my real estate license in October 2013. I belonged (and still do!) to a number of industry-related associations. I held leadership positions and often received awards and recognition for my hard work. Still, I felt unfulfilled as a member of these groups. It wasn’t about my personal passions; it was about everyone else’s agendas.

As one of 12,000 realtors in Central Florida, I knew I needed a way to stand out. Plus, I wanted a way to align myself with like-minded clients.

I thought back to when I first moved to Orlando in 2006. I had the pleasure of working with Diane Jones, the founder of the TNR (Trap Neuter Release) program in Orange County. There was and still is a large population of community cats, and her efforts engaged the county to provide free spay and neuter services to them. I saw how passionate she was about animals and her commitment to the homeless cats in our community.

I knew early on that I didn’t want children; however, my fur babies would always be a part of my life. My Lab mix Ripsy was right by my side through so many personal ups and downs, and her love and loyalty never wavered.

Looking for a way to differentiate myself, I wanted to combine my love of animals with my love of real estate. The idea was to work with clients who truly value their pets like family and then have the ability to give back to homeless animals in our community. And so, The Urban Dog Group at Coldwell Banker Realty was born! Now, proceeds from every sale are donated to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando or a pet rescue charity of the client’s choice. It’s truly a joy to help the animal rescue community in Central Florida in such a substantial way.

Christine, 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?

Being the founder of The Urban Dog Group at Coldwell Banker Realty Winter Park, I draw on my extensive background in the construction, architectural, and engineering fields as well as my experience with sales, marketing, strategic planning, and networking. Even better, thanks to the global reach of Coldwell Banker Realty, I have the power to sell real estate anywhere.

Through The Urban Dog Group, I work to place people and pets in great properties. I’ve become known as the “pet-friendly realtor,” thanks to my passion for all animals, especially my own pets, my 10-year-old golden retriever Apollo and my cats Bud and Henley. I am involved in many aspects of the animal rescue community in Central Florida. I served for six years on the Board of Directors for the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. Plus, thanks to my success, I am fortunate to be considered a major donor for their upcoming Capitol Campaign.

What sets me apart: They call me The Bulldog at my office (in a good way!). I’ve got a lot of fight in me, and I’m always focused on my responsibility to my clients. I want to make sure that they’re protected at all times — and my efforts certainly pay off! Clients appreciate my advanced selling and negotiating skills as well as my careful attention to detail.

It’s also notable that people have found my website online and chosen me specifically because of my passion for pets. That just doesn’t happen in our industry! It connects me to potential clients in a way unlike anything else.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A year after my divorce in 2012, I hit rock bottom: I broke up with my boyfriend, sold my car because I needed the money, and still couldn’t afford my rent. I was exhausted from working in the commercial real estate industry for 15 years; I never felt respected, valued, or satisfied. Looking for a change, in October 2013 (that same year), I earned my real estate license — but as everyone knows, you don’t make money during the first few years in real estate. Still, I never gave up.

So I bought my parents’ car and drove it for the next four years. I never stopped pushing, working from sunrise to sunset every day. I can sell real estate in 20 counties, and I worked on any deal that came my way. I never lost focus because I never wanted to be in that position again. My hope for a better future kept me moving forward.

Now, nearly a decade later, I believe that you have to hit rock bottom to really appreciate all of the goodness in life. I certainly do.

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

I walk the walk. I am truly active in the animal rescue community of Central Florida and enjoy my work with the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and other local charities. Thanks to The Urban Dog Group, I get to work with like-minded people and make their real estate dreams come true. Plus, my 48 5-star reviews on realtor.com speak for themselves!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.urbandogrealestate.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbandogrealestate/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theurbandoggroup