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

Hi Shevonne, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Grief was the one thing that pushed me into becoming a better me!

In all things, push your way through! You’ll be glad you did!

Shevonne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The story behind my mission is quite has been my absolute motivation. I’ve desired to become a (Florida) Realtor® since the late 90’s. At the time, my children were young and in grade school.
It would’ve and could’ve been the ideal situation; in my opinion. But I let my shyness get in the way of my dream.
As well, I was dedicated to being a wife and mom. My family was my priority, so dream deferred.
My ex-husband and I opened an urban boutique instead…his dream. However, I was able to fulfill part of my dream in becoming an Entrepreneur. Going back to a full-time job after that business flopped was depressing and underwhelming.

Moving forward, years later, after working in Corporate America and dreading it daily, I had an epiphany.
At this time, I was in a new relationship for several years. I shared the idea of me becoming a Realtor® once again. But this time, I was told that was a bad idea. Realtors don’t make any money. It was all things negative….dream deferred AGAIN.
I continued to work my 9-5. But I decided to take some time off to go after my dream. I went and took the cram course (1-week) to become a Licensed Real Estate Agent. I did it and passed the class. From there, I procrastinated a while, but finally took the real estate exam. I took that exam 3x before passing-lol. I was not prepared! I’ve always been such a strong test taker, there was no way I could fail. Soooo anyways, after crying about the fails a few times, I passed and obtained my real estate license in 2011. I was so excited! And like many new Agents, I thought I could do real estate part time and keep my job. (laughable)

I quit my 9-5 and went full-throttle into real estate. I decided to do rentals instead of sales. I figured it was easier and the income would be faster, therefore more lucrative. It was indeed! But my Brokers kept pushing me to do sales. I refused, thinking I may not do a good job. What if I fail at it? It wasn’t until 2015 that I made my first real estate sale! And I was so enamored with joy, but felt I did so much work for that sale that I needed a break. Big mistake! I got that $11k commission and thought I was on top for a while. I should’ve worked harder at keeping my pipeline thriving.
So you guessed it, back to work I went! My then Fiancé, was looking at me like…excuse me ma’am…lol.
So back to work I went! My same 9-5 job took me back repeatedly over 13 years. I was a great employee, but that wasn’t my goal. After a few chances of Entrepreneurship, I wasn’t the least bit okay with working for anyone anymore. I also started a baking business from home. “Berry Sweet Treats”. I made gourmet berries, rum bundt cakes, cake pops and more. I did quite well.
One thing about me, I am always going to work and make money!

By 2016, my Fiancé was done asking me to move to Georgia and was adamant now. With that said, I let him know I wasn’t moving there to work for anyone AND deal with that GA traffic. So I applied for my GA real estate license. Since Florida & Georgia have reciprocity, the process was simple. We were both back & forth from FL & GA. Noting FL as our domicile address. In 2017, I landed a job with a Builder, selling homes. I was starting to take off in real estate!

Unfortunately, my then Fiancê, turned husband took terminally ill and passed away of a heart attack in 2017. That’s when my world crumbled right before my eyes, literally. Royce passed away Oct. 3rd, 2017, holding my hand in the hospital! The worst day of my life. I suffered depression, PTSD, anxiety and drastic weight loss. It was emotional roller coaster of events that followed Royce’ death. I never fully even got a chance to grieve, there was so much turmoil. That’s a whole other story.
One day, after laying in the bed for months, I decided to get up and go into real estate full-time…with no excuses. In short, 2018, I convinced myself to get up and get moving! That year, I sold 19 homes w/ a few rental referrals.
In 2019, I sold over 25 homes. Then 2o20, I sold 35 homes, In 2021, I sold, I believe 32 homes, In 2022, I sold 20 homes. I’ve sold over $14 million dollars in real estate, with over 150 homes between FL & GA in 5 years. I’ve been a Top Producing Agent for the last few years. I’ve gained a few accreditations, certifications over the years.
I learned how to use my grief to become a better me. I learned to live. I learned that if I didn’t make some changes and get out of that bed, I wasn’t going to make it. And my now adult kids need me…no matter how old they are. My family needs me. I need me!

In all things, make your way! You’ll be glad you did!

In 2019, I said out loud that I wanted to make Shevonne Sells Homes® a household name! I did just that.
Then I trademarked the name and went crazy with it. I am Shevonne Sells Homes. I am your Residential and Commercial Realtor®.

I have an Administrative Assistant, Virtual Assistants in both FL & GA. A team of powerful Lenders, Credit Resources and so much more.

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

Repetitive and effective marketing certainly helped catapult my business. Social media posts educating the masses reached more people than I ever imagined.
Showing homes for sale and the actual closing of the home sale took Shevonne Sells Homes® through the roof.
Now I receive referrals from all over the globe for residential and commercial real estate.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I manually and strategically friended friends of family and other friends on social media. I sold cakes at different schools and befriended Teachers. I went to Police Departments and everywhere to speak about my business, I spoke at seminars, I partnered with different companies promoting my business. I wear branded t-shirts which ignite conversations with people I never would’ve started a conversation with. I’m a bit of an introvert, to an extent.
I tell everyone I come in contact with Shevonne Sells Homes.
I’ve sold homes to my Cable Technician doing a service call at my house; Pest Control Rep; etc.
If I’m out and someone compliments my shoes, more than likely, I’m selling them a house. lol

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shevonnesellshomes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shevonnesells.homes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shevonnesellshomes1/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shevonne-rumph-8820b115b/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shevonnesellshomes4162