We recently connected with Kayla Givens and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kayla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

Great question! When I first started focusing more on social media for my business, I hired a skilled social media manager. The main goal was to expand my reach in the Denver area, stay top of mind, and of course, generate more leads!

The experience was incredibly valuable. My social media manager set me on the right path and made a noticeable difference in my online presence. She’s since moved on to a full-time role elsewhere but left me with a solid plan to keep things going.

So, now I handle the social media myself. It’s been a bit of a learning curve, but it’s also been rewarding to connect with my audience firsthand. The key lesson I’ve learned is simply to go for it. Whether you hire someone or do it yourself, consistency is crucial. You won’t see overnight results, but if you stick with it, the benefits are significant.

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?

I started my journey in the real estate sector back in 2012 as a loan processor. I had a good grip on the financial aspects but didn’t delve into the agent side of things until a pivotal moment in early 2020. That’s when I stumbled upon the Bigger Pockets podcast and had an ‘Aha!’ moment. At the time, I was a manager at lululemon and inspired by my now-husband’s entrepreneurial spirit. His ability to carve out his own path was contagious, and I thought, ‘Why not me?’

In May 2021, I got my real estate license and jumped headfirst into the industry as a full-time, investor-friendly agent. To gain hands-on experience, I initially joined a team and later moved to Reluxe Residential when I felt ready to carve out my own path. It was during this phase that I envisioned creating a future team of dedicated agents, leading me to establish Sweat Equity Real Estate. The name encapsulates my passion for athleticism and my commitment to hustle for my clients. Sweat Equity is more than just a brand—it’s a philosophy of hard work paying off in spades. As I continue to develop this brand, my goal is to attract agents who live and breathe this same philosophy.

Our primary services revolve around buying and selling real estate, but that’s just scratching the surface. I also serve as an advisor to my investor clients, offering guidance on deal analyses and rental strategies. My focus is always on the people I work with—ensuring they get the best deal aligned with their goals. No ‘commission breath’ here; just genuine, client-centered service.

So, what sets me apart? I’d say it’s my dedication to truly understanding my clients’ needs and goals. From analyzing deals to navigating the complex pathways from offer to closing, I provide resources and strategies to ensure my clients’ success in this ever-competitive Denver metro area market.

What am I most proud of? Taking that entrepreneurial leap and earning the trust of each and every client I’ve worked with. If there’s one thing I want potential clients to know, it’s this: With Sweat Equity Real Estate, you’re not just another transaction. You’re a valued individual, and I will move mountains to ensure you feel great about your real estate decisions.

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

One of the most transformative pivots in my life was my decision to leave lululemon, where I was a manager and, honestly, thought I’d be a ‘lifer.’ If you had told me back then that I’d eventually run my own real estate business, I would have laughed. However, COVID-19 was a wake-up call for many of us, myself included. While I loved lululemon’s people-centric culture, at the end of the day, it was still a business driven by numbers. I found myself managing people who were just punching the clock and dealing with more drama than a reality TV show. Watching my husband thrive in his entrepreneurial endeavors made me reevaluate my path, craving the same freedom he enjoyed. In June 2021, I took the leap, handed in my two weeks’ notice, and didn’t look back.

Excited but new to the real estate world, I initially joined a team to get the hands-on experience that real estate school simply doesn’t offer. The team helped me hit the ground running with leads and practical know-how. But eventually, I realized that I had replaced one boss with another. So, I made the next pivot: I moved brokerages and struck out on my own.

Going solo had its challenges. I transitioned from a large brokerage with abundant resources to a smaller one, forcing me to wear multiple hats—from transaction coordination to social media management. But that’s where my network and self-learning came into play. I leaned on connections for advice and got my hands dirty learning the nuts and bolts of the business.

One key lesson I’ve learned is that if you’re going to be an agent—or have agents working for you—you’ve got to know your stuff inside and out. Some agents out there don’t even write their own contracts, and to me, that’s unacceptable. As I work on building Sweat Equity Real Estate, I’m committed to ensuring that any agents who join the team will offer top-tier service at every stage of the real estate process. Because at the end of the day, Sweat Equity isn’t just a business; it’s a mindset—work hard, and the equity follows.

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

One word: Trust. In real estate, especially in a competitive market like Denver, trust is the cornerstone of any successful business relationship. From the moment I meet potential clients, I aim to build that trust by being myself—professional, but with a dose of light-hearted fun.

What sets me apart are the core values that guide every transaction: honesty, integrity, and putting my clients’ best interests at the forefront. I’m not just here to close a deal; I’m here to advise, guide, and make sure my clients feel secure every step of the way. This approach has resonated well with my clients, who often commend the time and effort I put into answering their questions and guiding them through what is one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

In addition to building strong client relationships, I offer an arsenal of resources to set my clients up for success, whether they’re first-time homebuyers, seasoned investors, or somewhere in between. The feedback I’ve received consistently points to a feeling of being ‘in good hands,’ and that’s something I take great pride in.

So if you’re looking for a real estate agent in Denver who’ll go that extra mile—and maybe crack a joke or two along the way—I’m your gal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweatequityre.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kaylagivens/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Kayla-Govier-Denver-Realtor-100074089880016/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-givens/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNTxrAV0XR2aTUw4GANdjQ

Image Credits
Headshot/photo with the laptop is by Ibon Media / Sarah and Emilio Valenciano