Setting an example of the sort of change I’d like to see in the future with everything I do and support is paramount to the sort of legacy I’m hoping to build. It’s really important to not only acknowledge those that come before, but to advocate for those that are aspiring to be where I’ve gotten thus far (and I’m not done yet, by any means). It’s not enough to simply excel or master a skill. One has to look back, see who is taking their next steps, and catapult pull them forward.

I’m not sure what people will say about me when I’ve moved on, but if I get it even halfway right something like “she did what she said, when she said, stood up for those that weren’t poised to, was a little classy and certainly sassy”.

I’d like to be remembered as being a person that sought solutions to problems rather than creating new ones, lived abundantly, loved hard and found pleasure in the smallest details.

I almost always lead with “Jane of All Trades” because the path to present has been adventurous to say the least. I worked in hospitality, sales and marketing prior to landing in real estate. I bought my first house and honestly didn’t have a positive experience – my needs, desires and best interests were ignored. I knew at my core, it could be done a different way. So I began researching (while I was completely burnt out in my corporate position). I discovered that I wasn’t alone. Many first time homeowners, eager to build generational wealth are left on the sidelines, falsely believing the goal is out of reach. I quit my job, got my license and dove in with both feet.

Once licensed, I learned that there are very few people in real estate that are focused on building real estate portfolios for their clients and being transparent about how to successfully do such. Even less that have the desire to nurture those clients into lasting relationships. I have no interest in transactions, and I don’t worry about where my next deals will come from. Instead I focus on my client’s individual goals, providing various avenues to achieve those goals and sharing resources to get them over the mark. That’s how design came into play. So many people come into ownership and are blinded by the responsibilities that go beyond the closing date. How does one curate the sanctuary their hoping to build?

I found that providing services, beyond the transactional, opened the door for me to connect my clients to others within their respective communities with the same mindset. Local vendors, artists, artisans all have a place in the home. No one should be outside the bounds of having a safe and stylized space to call home. I make it my business to turn house to home everywhere I go.

My greatest achievement to date is taking the concept of creating community to artist advocacy. In 2022, I partnered with a dear friend to create the Calling All Dreamers Project. It’s an immersive Airbnb completely stocked with art, furnishings, furniture + goods from within 3 miles of the property location – with inventory changing with the seasons. Everything in the property is available for purchase, with 100% of the proceeds going back to our featured partners. Calling All Dreamers asks that a percentage of any sale be returned to our community through a local cause (partner’s choice). Through CADP, we’ve been able to advocate for ten local artists + ten local charities in Nashville.

Best advice I’ve ever gotten is to not try to sell anything in sales. The truth of the matter is people buy goods, seek service and recommend people that they like. Not everyone will like you, connect with you. But everyone wants to be seen and heard. I take the time to be present with each of my clients, I remember the details (both said and unsaid) and I rarely say “no”. There’s almost always a way to make your client’s dreams come true – transparency is KEY. If I just focus on those things, business flows. When my business is lacking, it’s because I’ve dropped the ball somewhere.

Yes, always! Standout businesses have inherent value adds. Though I’m in real estate full time as a broker, I offer DIY to full-service design solutions for my clients, relocation options through Calling All Dreamers and artist advocacy avenues to stay top of mind. Relevancy is KEY.