Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shawneequa Badger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shawneequa, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

Absolutely! At The Badger Real Estate Group, we take pride in diverging from the industry standard by prioritizing community impact over commissions. Our mission extends beyond buying and selling homes; we aim to empower individuals and families to build wealth and create a legacy through real estate.

Unlike many in the industry who focus solely on closing deals, our team is dedicated to educating clients about the long-term financial benefits of real estate investment, navigating market shifts, and establishing sustainable wealth-building strategies. This holistic approach fosters stronger, more resilient communities by helping our clients make informed decisions that serve them now and for generations to come.

One example that perfectly illustrates this difference is when we assisted a first-generation homeowner. Rather than pushing for a quick sale, we worked closely with them to understand their long-term financial goals, guiding them through the process of converting a single-family home into a multifamily rental property. This decision not only secured additional income but also provided them with an asset that could be leveraged for future investments. Today, that client has gone on to purchase additional properties and has even started educating others in their community about the benefits of real estate investment.

In fact, 40% of our business is focused on income properties. This success stems from helping entry-level buyers develop a strategy to multiply one property into many. It’s the quintessential strategy of the game of Monopoly brought to life—starting small and building a diverse portfolio over time. Our unconventional approach of focusing on the “bigger picture” allows us to have a more meaningful impact on our clients’ lives, ultimately setting us apart from others in the industry.

Shawneequa, 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 love a good virtual introduction! I’m Shawneequa Badger, CEO and Team Lead of The Badger Real Estate Group, a nationally recognized real estate team headquartered in Oakland, California, with an expansion office in Los Angeles. I’m also an advocate for community wealth building and the advancement of Black buyers, seller, investors and professionals in the space of real estate.

My journey into real estate began with the desire to create a path for financial independence and generational wealth—something that was often out of reach in my own family and community growing up. With that in mind, I’ve spent the last decade building a real estate business focused on not just transactions, but transformation. Today, we provide a wide range of services, from residential home sales and investment property acquisition to comprehensive real estate coaching and mentorship through our Maverick Institute Group Coaching Program.

The challenges we solve go beyond the buying and selling of property. We help clients understand the true value of real estate as a tool for legacy planning. From navigating complicated transactions to strategic portfolio building, we ensure that our clients make informed decisions that align with their financial goals and future aspirations.

I am most proud of the impact we’ve made in our communities. Seeing clients who never imagined owning property go on to own multiple homes and rental properties is the true measure of our success. Our commitment to community education, wealth building, and advocacy for underrepresented groups in real estate differentiates us from others in the industry.

The main things I want potential clients and followers to know about The Badger Real Estate Group are that we’re not just here to sell homes. We’re here to help you build a legacy. Our team’s focus on wealth creation and financial literacy has been featured in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, RIS Media, Inman News, and the San Francisco Chronicle, and I’m honored to serve as a speaker and mentor nationwide, sharing our message of empowerment and sustainable wealth.

Our brand is built on trust, integrity, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to leverage real estate as a tool for financial freedom. We don’t just sell properties—we change lives.

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

One of the most significant pivots in my career happened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a real estate professional, I found myself in uncharted waters as the world changed almost overnight. With traditional methods of networking, open houses, and in-person meetings coming to a sudden halt, I knew I had to quickly adapt or risk losing momentum in my business.

During that time, I made the strategic decision to fully embrace technology and invest in building a robust digital presence. I transitioned The Badger Real Estate Group into a virtual-first company, leveraging social media, digital marketing, and virtual consultation tools to stay connected with clients and keep business moving forward. We pivoted from in-person home tours to virtual tours and video walkthroughs, hosted webinars to educate clients on navigating real estate during a pandemic, and created online community events to maintain engagement.

This pivot not only allowed us to sustain business during a challenging period but also set us up for unprecedented growth. Our online presence attracted a broader audience, and we expanded our reach nationally. I even launched The Maverick Institute Group Coaching Program, which was designed to provide mentorship and coaching to real estate professionals across the country through a virtual platform. What began as a necessity for survival evolved into a permanent, powerful shift in how we operate.

That experience taught me that pivoting isn’t just about changing direction; it’s about leaning into the opportunity to redefine what success looks like. Today, we’re stronger, more adaptable, and better equipped to serve our clients and support other agents—no matter what changes may come in the future.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building a strong reputation within the market comes down to three core principles: consistency, authenticity, and a genuine commitment to client success. From the start, I knew that my approach needed to go beyond transactions. I wanted to focus on creating real value for my clients by educating them on wealth-building strategies and making sure they felt empowered throughout the entire real estate process.

One of the biggest factors that helped me establish my reputation was my dedication to advocacy and education. We’ve fostered a “teach the people” approach. I made it a point to host workshops, community events, and one-on-one consultations focused on teaching people how to leverage real estate to achieve financial independence. Whether it was guiding a first-time homebuyer or helping an investor diversify their portfolio, I prioritized knowledge-sharing and transparency. Clients began to view me not just as a real estate agent, but as a trusted advisor invested in their long-term financial well-being. That word-of-mouth endorsement and referral network became a powerful testament to our commitment.

Another key factor was maintaining a high standard of service and consistently delivering results, regardless of the market conditions. I’ve always taken the time to understand each client’s unique goals and worked tirelessly to find creative solutions—even when it meant going the extra mile. Whether it was a first-time buyer who thought homeownership was out of reach or an investor struggling to navigate a complex deal, I was there every step of the way, providing strategic guidance and support. This level of dedication and personalized service made a lasting impression.

What really solidified my reputation, though, was staying true to my values. In a competitive industry where it’s easy to get lost in the numbers game, I made the decision early on to prioritize integrity and relationships over sales volume. Clients know that when they work with The Badger Real Estate Group, they are getting a partner who is genuinely invested in their success and will always put their best interests first.

Our reputation has been instrumental in our expansion into the Los Angeles market, making the transition seamless and profitable. Because we have established ourselves as trusted experts in the Bay Area, our clients, strategic partners and loan officers in Southern California were eager to work with us and spread the word about our commitment to excellence. It’s a testament to the value of building a brand based on trust, reliability, and impact—one that resonates no matter where we do business.

Lastly, community involvement and advocacy played a significant role. I’m proud to serve on various nonprofit boards and actively contribute to causes that promote equity, wealth creation, and homeownership opportunities for underrepresented groups. This visibility and commitment to giving back reinforced our brand as one that’s not just about selling homes, but about making a positive impact.

Ultimately, I believe my reputation was built on the ability to consistently deliver results, an unwavering commitment to client success, and a passion for empowering others to achieve their dreams through real estate.

20 years later, real estate is still a passion and I hope that shows on the results I deliver for my clients and community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.buysellbuildalegacy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawneequa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawneequa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawneequa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shawneequa