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

Alright, WInnie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?

When I found roller derby, it was one of the first times I had ever failed at anything. I could not roller skate. I went roller skating 2-3 times a week for 6 months before I even had the chance to try out, and when I did I was the last one to be picked for the draft. I didn’t let that stop my growth and I worked my way from last draft pick, to captain, and ultimately was the Head Coach for the Lowcountry Highrollers in Charleston. This experience essentially proved that I could go from the bottom to the top of anything I wanted to accomplish. This mindset shift has driven everything that I do. I learned to want more than I could even offer myself, and this is part of the reason why I try to give it back every day. Whenever anyone thinks they cannot reach something, whether it’s in regards to strength, ability, intellect, circumstances, I want to drive them forward and empower them to set high goals, high standards, and high self-perception.

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

Winnie & Company is led by me, Winnie Rodgers, a local realtor, investor, trainer, and growth initiator. The mission of Winnie & Company is to create a fully authentic space for our clients, vendors, ourselves, and everyone we encounter. By focusing on our unique skills, joys, experiences, and goals, we maintain a space for others around us to do the same. Growth and connection are everything to us, while being a little cheeky along the way.

I am a Charleston native. My background, in both construction and marketing, adds massive value to our clients and we consistently rank in the top 15% of agents in the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Alongside myself, Hannah Ewing and Nicole DeMarco support our clients to establish a stellar customer service experience and create a fun and safe environment for questions and honesty. Hannah joined Winnie & Company June 2022 and has been paramount in enhancing communication standards and adding value to our clients, agent partners, and vendor partners. Together with Nicole, no stone goes unturned to deliver a streamlined home-buying process. I pride myself on powerful negotiations honoring the specific needs of my clients and strives to create a positive environment for my cooperative agent partner. Everyone should be valued and heard, and I intends to find the most amicable solution to any negotiation.

In addition to residential real estate sales, I teach courses all across the country related to Real Estate and Wealth Building. I serve on the Board of Advisors for Keller Williams Young Professionals, working to build communities, connections, and serves to grow the segments across the country.

We are female-powered and empowered entrepreneurs. This drives us to collaborate with female-led businesses across the Lowcountry such as artists, our marketing firm, boutiques and retail spaces, bartenders, authors, and restaurateurs. We are always looking to support this community in a bigger way.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I found myself to be a combination of Pippi Longstocking and Alice in Wonderland. I loved how inclusive and non-judgemental Pippi was – everyone was welcome in her home and on her adventures and I admired her incredible resourcefulness and how she could build contraptions. I am from James Island, but my parents bought land with a lake in Ravenel when I was little. They built a workshop and we definitely did a lot of woodworking, tinkering, and building (like Pippi). I was almost always outside: either swimming or going on adventures. The red hair is just a coincidence. I actually wrote my college application essay on her!

I loved Alice for her curiosity and her drive to know “why.” She wouldn’t take face value and wanted to discover things for herself – no matter the outcome. And Alice could sit at any table with any person and continue to be her authentic self. Her drive to understand pushed her to even challenge a queen – something my mom empowered me to do at a young age. “Question authority” my mom said: “even if it’s me.” I strive to be curious every day.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele has been loving on all of our clients. We find that when we come from a place of authenticity and we demonstrate our genuine care for our clients, making them more than just “clients.” Whether it’s inviting them to appreciation events, making sure to remember their birthdays, keeping in touch regularly, or reaching out in difficult times, we find that people genuinely appreciate our relationships and share that with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.winnieandcompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_winnieandcompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winnieandco.kw
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winnierodgers/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@winnieco4696

Image Credits
Leah Treiber Photography