We recently connected with Ivy Grant and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I was introduced to the real estate industry when my mom became a Realtor in 1999. My mom established our family-owned real estate brokerage, St. Louis Metro Realtors in 2002. I can remember working the front desk at the office, answering calls, and stuffing envelopes to send out calendars for the Holidays. I can’t forget the many long days and hours riding around St. Louis using paper maps (we didn’t have google maps back then lol) to show houses. Due to the nature of the excessive work hours I had to sit with my mom conducting her real estate business, I always told her I would never do real estate. Not understanding as a child, the sacrifices my dad and mom made to ensure my future was better than theirs.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My senior year in high school I became pregnant with my now 14 yr. old son. I still went on to graduate from high school but my senior year was rough. Having to face the reality that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy all the senior activities, prom, and even going away to college like I planned. I also didn’t know what my future would look like.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

With the support of my parents, I was able to go away to Florida A&M University. I was blessed to be able to receive in-state tuition, scholarships and find childcare for my son while I worked and pursued my degree in Graphic Design. By the grace of God, I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Design. While going through my degree program I did enjoy learning design programs and all things design but I realized this was not my passion.

I had always said I wanted to be a teacher so I applied to Teach for America my final semester of college. I was accepted and taught 3rd grade in what is considered a low-income area of St. Louis within St. Louis Public Schools. During this time my mind and heart started to shift, as I matured the resentment I had for the real estate industry started to dissipate. I pursued my real estate career and became licensed in 2014. Within the 5yrs of teaching and doing real estate part-time I realized I wanted to do and be more amongst the systems that have been set up to keep minorities oppressed. In 2018 I began my journey as a full-time real estate agent.

This is when my path of purpose began to bloom. I realized I had passion and a niche to educate, provide resources and assist my community in building and sustaining generational wealth through homeownership. My purpose is to be the change I wish to see in my community, for my family and others is what drives me. I have a passion to help turn the dreams of others into reality when it comes to homeownership. I will continue to push forward through all the trials and tribulations to show up as my best self because my community needs me.

It has definitely not been a cakewalk to grow into the woman/ entrepreneur that I have and am evolving into. Having a child at a young age made me grow and realize I now had more than me to protect and care for. My son and I have pretty much grown up together. Being a mom is like having 2.5 full-time careers as it is, so being a young mom, I had to push forward with faith that quitting wasn’t an option. What has kept me going on the hard days of life is first prayer even when I didn’t have the words, second being around like-minded people who can pour into me when my well is dry. What I have learned and constantly learning is that growth happens in the valleys. When it appears that you are in the lowest darkest places of your life this is where God produces something beautiful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stlouismetrorealtors.com
• Instagram: @iamivygrant and @stlouismetrorealtors
• Facebook: Ivy Grant and St. Louis Metro Realtors
• Linkedin: Ivy Grant
• Other: Email: ivy.grant@stlouismetrorealtors.com