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

Kelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

My life is built on risks. When I stay in my comfort zone, I become complacent and restless, so I try to push myself and take risks as often as possible. I think it’s important to pay attention to the way your life will push you towards risks when it’s time to make a change. Those nudges from life are the defining moments that will either make you better or complacent, but you must pay attention, and you must be willing to take a leap of faith towards the unknown. I’ve found that there tends to be a lot of turbulence in my life when I stay in my comfort zone, because it’s life’s way of telling me it’s time to take another risk. When I graduated from UCSD, I took my first big risk by moving to LA. I chose to forego the comfort of staying in San Diego with my family’s support, to move to Los Angeles and make it on my own. At the time I had no job, no credit, no support and barely any money, but I had a lot of drive and determination, and big dreams. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do in LA, but I knew that’s where I needed to be at that stage in my life. So, I packed up my Toyota Corolla and moved to LA, where I ended up landing a dream job for a trendy hospitality company where I oversaw marketing for some of LA’s most popular venues; I worked ridiculous hours, but I gained invaluable experience. I was poor, overworked, underpaid and lived in a cockroach infested apartment, but that was one of the happiest and most rewarding times in my life. One day life told me it was time to move on, so I left that job without any plans as to what I would do next. The very next day after quitting a friend called with a business proposition, and I ended up owning my first company just weeks later at the age of 26. Years later when life signaled it was time for a change again, I left that company and moved back to San Diego where I started a whole new career in real estate. My first year as a realtor, I was named rookie of the year, outselling all other first year agents in San Diego County, proving once again that taking the risk led to the reward. Today, at 34 years old, I feel like I’ve only just begun and I’ve already had three dramatically different careers that all led me to be success at the job I do today. I can see now it was all part of a bigger plan, and had I not listened to life’s signals, I don’t know where I would be today. As they say, no risk, no reward. The biggest pay offs come with risk, and that’s how I like to live my life. The good stuff is on the other side of your comfort zone.

Kelly, 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?

My name is Kelly Miles and I am a Real Estate Agent in San Diego with Compass. I specialize in luxury residential real estate, but I work with clients at all price points and property types. I am a San Diego native, born and raised in America’s Finest City. I grew up in coastal North County San Diego and I am an alumni of UCSD. Real Estate has always been a passion of mine. In College I was the Intern for the Downtown Redevelopment Agency (CCDC), where I first learned about real estate, development and city planning. After graduating from UCSD, I launched my career marketing luxury restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs across the US for sbe Entertainment, the Los Angeles based hospitality, entertainment, and real estate development company. After advancing my marketing career, I went on to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors in the apparel industry, co-owning and operating a private label clothing company, located in Los Angeles where I manufactured garments for corporate accounts and clothing lines to be sold in leading department stores and premier boutiques worldwide. After my time in LA, I took my vast business experiences and returned home to San Diego to pursue a career in real estate. I now run a successful real estate business with Compass based in La Jolla. What sets me apart from other realtors is my San Diego roots and knowledge, my unique business background and my unmatched work ethic. I consider myself a marketer first and foremost, and a transition to marketing luxury real estate from luxury hospitality has proven greatly beneficial to my clients. When you work with me, you can expect the same high caliber marketing of your property that’s done for world-renowned hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. I take great pride in my high-level marketing, and the unparalleled results it drives for my clients.

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

I’ve done a lot of pivoting in my life. It’s how you stay relevant. In real estate I am constantly pivoting based on the market. I am a big fan of trying different things to see what sticks. You won’t find me doing the same thing day in and day out. I am not the realtor who sits back and lets things happen; I make them happen. The real estate market is changing all the time, so what worked for me in the beginning of my career, doesn’t work now, and even what I did last week, might not work this week. I consider myself to be a bit of a chameleon. My clients can count on my high level of service which will never change, but now I get business and stay successful is changing all the time. If something isn’t working, change, and change quick, or you’re no longer relevant.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

My business is primarily referral based. Being from San Diego, I have a strong network of people who support me and recommend me as a trusted agent. I attribute much of my success to being a trustworthy person who genuinely cares about people, both in business and in life. I truly believe that you get what you give; kindness never goes unnoticed and pays off in dividends. Be a good person and people will want to support you and see you succeed. As a realtor, reputation gets you in the door, and hard work keeps you there; but to be truly successful in real estate, you need even parts kindness and grit. My clients have continued to rally behind me because of the high level of service and expertise they’ve come to expect from me and my business. While most of my business is referral based, I am always accepting new clients who are looking to buy or sell real estate anywhere in San Diego County, however they find me. You can find my contact information on my website at kellymilesre.com, then reach to coordinate a free buyer or seller consultation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kellymilesre.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyemiles/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellymilesre
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyemiles/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-INkcjbEx0oK55VlG_1kiA

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