We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Schuit. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

I started working when I was 13. I coached gymnastics at the gym I grew up going to and on the weekends, I led kid birthday parties there. From a young age, I learned the value of hard work. I saw that simply showing up with a good attitude got me further than being the most talented. From there, I worked my way through high school and college, always willing to learn something or try something new. I worked at Allstate Insurance offices, helping agents set up their electronic file system and various marketing projects. I sold radio sponsorships for my college radio station, did inbound marketing for a hot tub company, was a hostess at local restaurants, I even put gasket sets together for antique Model T Fords in a basement warehouse one summer. Through it all, there was a universal truth that showing up with a positive outlook would get me further than others. I always looked for ways to improve systems and awareness, two skills that have afforded me many opportunities in my later life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Professionally, I was afforded an incredible opportunity right out of college to sell television advertising for big cable networks like HVTV, CNN, Discovery, TLC and ESPN. I spent 12 years in ad sales when an opportunity to sell real estate presented itself. I liked the idea of leveraging my marketing and advertising locally to help homeowners navigate their largest transaction. I didn’t realize at the time, I would soon be leading my company to become the largest residential real estate team in Maryland. I sold 14 million my first year and since then, have personally sold over 250 million in home sales and supported over 1B in local sales through my team and brokerage. These numbers don’t mean much, but the compound effect of knowledge and relationships that are built through each transaction is massive. Each client who works with my team gets a piece of that knowledge base, which achieves top dollar for homes they are selling and massive negotiating power when transacting on a home.

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

After building Maryland’s Local brokerage and leading the number one team in the state with a business partner for 7 years, it became clear that our vision was no longer aligned. What once felt simple, working and growing together, had become strained. Clear purpose and vision backed with the right energy is imperative for true growth. I had to let go of the idea that I would be running my company forever. The easiest way for us to part ways was for me to let go of the company I helped create and start fresh. I had to get over the thought that I was starting all over at age 40. I was starting from a place of experience with support, relationships, a network of support and a large list of clients. This was not starting over this was springboarding into the next chapter of my real estate career and this time I was able to do it with full alignment, the right people and a clear vision. It is so easy to stay where it is safe and comfortable, but greatness is not born from comfort; it comes from the moments we take inventory and realize we are made for something bigger.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

I was in advertising sales and my main clients were local automotive dealerships. They had large budgets, big egos and were courted by all local reps at a high level. They were hard to get in with, and their business was challenging to earn. I had one group who refused to give my networks a chance. The media landscape had shifted and people were watching television differently than they had in the past, but this group was set in their ways. I had pizzas delivered to their dealership with missing pieces to represent the audience share they were missing. The inside of the boxes had professional pie charts showing the viewership and how “much of the pie” they were missing with their current strategy. I had a phone call from them within 15 mins of the delivery and a meeting set for the following day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kellyschuit.com
• Instagram: @Soldbykellyschuit
• Facebook: Kelly Schuit
• Linkedin: Kelly Schuit
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marylandrealestate
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kelly-schuit-w-home-group-timonium