We were lucky to catch up with Katrina DeWit recently and have shared our conversation below.

Katrina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, folks often look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight – but that often obscures all the nitty, gritty details of everything that went into the growth phase of your business. We’d love to hear about your scaling story and how you scaled up?

The first few years as a Realtor were such a grind of long hours doing all the things it takes to get a new business off the ground. Client service and industry partner calls by day, marketing and administrative work by night. Everything was a blind panic and rush to the next appointment or task. It wasn’t until I nearly missed my own engagement that I realized that this pace was unsustainable. I had bought into the hustle culture of the real estate industry, which I soon realized is not the best way to build a business or sustain my personal life.

By taking a breath and creating a few days for myself then, and each year since I can sit down to craft the goals and needs for the upcoming year. This allows me to work backward and know how many prospective clients I need to talk to each day, what client events to plan for, when I’m taking vacations, etc. Having set and attainable goals freed up the stress of working against unknown thresholds of success until I was burnt out. Taking the time upfront saved me loads of time daily in also planning for repeatable tasks and automating them as much as possible. Whether that’s a set format for client updates, email templates, saving pre-loaded contracts with appropriate language for each type of client, or adopting a new tool to manage an aspect of my business, all these little tricks added up to better time management and less stress in my day. It allowed me to triple my business while working a little less than I had been. In turn, that success allowed me to make my first hire and delegate many administrative, marketing, and event-related tasks to my assistant.

Katrina, 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 graduated college three days after returning from my studies abroad, as the 2008/2009 housing crisis and the following recession were in full effect. Hundreds if not thousands of resumes and inquiries went unanswered as I searched for a post-college job. I pieced together seven part-time jobs simultaneously to make ends meet, sorted out to military-grade precision on a Google calendar. Three of those gigs were nannying and babysitting for real estate people within the same company. I started crashing their happy hours and events when I could to introduce myself to others and within a few months was able to work my way into a role at the company. I worked there as the assistant to the owner/broker for four years before seeing a need in providing compassionate and luxury-level service to an industry that can too easily feel cold and sales driven.

Buying or selling a home is often the largest financial transaction in most people’s lives. Regardless of “the number” associated with the home or client, we strive to treat everyone with the same respect, communication, and service as they purchase or sell their home and largest asset. I work with people from all walks of life from historically marginalized people who are looking to start a legacy of homeownership to executives looking to design/build their dream homes. Bringing advocacy and humor to a complex process is what draws clients to us and has our past clients referring many of their friends and family.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think consistency has been the key to building my reputation in the market. While I am still human and not perfect, I strive to treat everyone I interact with whether client, vendor, or colleague with integrity and respect. I have my business and marketing plans written out and continually come back to them to stay within the themes and goals I have for the year. Through all of this, I would say a focus on education is a close second. I want each of my clients to know all of their options. It’s their choice to make in buying or selling their home, and I’m here to advocate for them however they decide is best for them throughout the process.

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

When I started in real estate I was told by the older generation that I need to build an expensive lead-generating website or cold call dozens of people a day to have a successful business and find clientele. I tried many of these “tried and true” suggestions and didn’t align with most of them. I do a lot of one on one connecting through my sphere and community. I am heavily involved in two local nonprofits. And I love hosting events for my current and past clients, who are encouraged to bring their friends too. In just being present and top of mind, as well as delivering on my promises, most of my business comes from either repeat clients or referrals, though I’m always down to make a new connection!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katrinadewit.evrealestate.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinadewit/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatrinaDeWit
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-dewit/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWvzx1652Vj8_kRqwyoWbrA