It’s March and I am kicking off Women’s History Month celebrating go-getting, driven women across various industries.
Our Transform You! Women’s History Month series will feature women in business. You will hear their stories, their strengths, and the lessons they’ve learned along their journey. Each week you’ll hear from different women. Regardless of whether or not you own a business, I celebrate the woman you are.
Who is Shamelle Sanders?
Today in the guest chair is Shamelle Sanders. Born in Louisville, KY, she was raised in a faith filled, spiritual household. Her upbringing made her the family oriented woman she is today. She is the mother of two beautiful girls, ages 7 and 20.
Shamelle obtained her Associates Degree from Jefferson Community College in business management and furthered her education by earning her Bachelor’s Degree in organizational leadership and learning, from the University of Louisville.
Prior to acquiring her degree, she worked as a licensed phlebotomist for five years. Later, she began her corporate career after leaving the field of phlebotomy. She worked in Corporate America for a Fortune 500 company for ten years before pivoting and beginning her career in Real Estate in 2018.
In this interview, you will learn more of Shamelle’s story, her triumphs, and some of the lessons she has learned along the way. You will also learn how you can step into the real estate industry, if that’s your interest. If not, but you’ve got your mind set on home ownership, we are talking about that too. Now, let’s get to it!
1. DN: Tell us about Shamelle the teenager, what was she like?
SS: Oh gosh! That young lady had a lot of growing up to do, that’s for sure. She was sassy and thought she knew it all. She always wanted to test the waters and see what she could get away with. She was also kind of shy. It’s taken me a while to come out of my shell, and it’s been that way for as long as I can remember. As time went on, and I started to come into my own self, I started to figure out how I wanted to present and carry myself. Whew buddy, the teenage Shamelle, I don’t think I like her too much.
2. DN: What inspired you to go into real estate and how did you motivate yourself to keep going when things got difficult?
SS: I actually started doing real estate from the investment property side of the business. My parents have been owning investment properties since before I was born. When I became of age, I started realizing that I wanted to do something to position myself to not have to punch a clock. I wanted to be able to be my own boss, and that industry interested me.
As I started to get older I began helping my parents out more with their investment properties, eventually taking over managing those properties. I knew that was something that I liked to do. It wasn’t something that I was burdened to do, or just absolutely disliked. Once I discovered that I liked the field, I started pushing forward to pursue it. I was then thrusted into it full time, when I was laid off from my job in Corporate America and found myself trying to figure out my next move. Then it hit me, that I’m going to this real estate school around the corner and get my real estate license and that’s exactly what I did.
3. DN: Walk us through your typical day.
SS: A typical real estate work day for me includes me getting up every day and starting it with a great morning routine, which is how everyday should start. I have learned that from yours truly, you, Demet. I’ve begun to incorporate a morning routine where I get up and read my Bible, say a prayer, thanking God for allowing me to see another day, because some people are not given that chance. Next, I check my calendar to see what I have on my agenda and what needs to get done, including emails.
I then head to the office and start my day out by calling prospects. These are usually my sphere of influence, which are the people that you know. These are the people that are usually in your contact list or those you’re connected with on social media. That’s considered your sphere of influence. Reaching out to this group of people should be your #1 priority as an agent because they are going to be the people that will look to you for your services.
4. DN: What has been your favorite part of your real estate journey?
SS: The look, smiles, and feeling of someone getting those keys at that closing table. Knowing that I’m a part of that journey for someone else, by helping and guiding them, that’s the ultimate high. Allowing them to experience that makes me thankful to be a part of that experience for them.
5. DN: Have you noticed a lot of direct impact for yourself with the current pandemic that is going on? Have you let this shift your focus at all or do you just keep on pushing?
SS: I have not had any direct impact to my business and I have not let it shift my focus. I stay PPE’d up with my mask, gloves, shoe booties for my clients, etc. I’ve just been pushing forward. There have been some agents that have chosen to go other routes. I’ve been staying prayed up and asking God to keep his arms around me and keep protecting me from this COVID. Keep pushing because you have to ride that wave while it’s here.
6. DN: What has been your biggest real estate mistake thus far and what did you learn from it?
SS: My biggest mistake happened to be, my second sale, I believe. I marketed the home to the best of my abilities and it ended up getting broken into. It was in a particular area of the city and I felt that I should have known what I needed to do, and that was the biggest rookie mistake that I made. I still haven’t let it go to this day and I definitely learned from it. To anyone that is a rookie, be mindful of where your listings are going to be and of the neighborhoods because all of that plays a part in how well your transaction goes.
7. DN: What advice would you give to other real estate agents that are just starting out and also someone that is looking to purchase their first home?
SS: For a new agent, don’t let fear hold you back. Whatever it is that your brokerage is instructing you to do, don’t be afraid. All you can do is fail, learn from it, and keep on moving. With me being more of a laid back, shy type of person, that has been my struggle. The fear of rejection, or the fear of going to talk to people I don’t know, has been a hard hurdle for me to climb. Don’t let fear stop you because you never know what the outcome may be. Push forward and climb those mountains as high as you can. Keep pushing!
As far as first time homebuyers, sometimes they have a fear of what’s on the other side of such a big responsibility, but to that I say, your freedom is on the other side of that responsibility. It will be something that you will acquire that will always be yours. No one will ever be able to take that from you. It may seem like there is always something jumping in your path to stop you when you’re on your road to becoming a homeowner, however, you can’t let that stop you.
No doesn’t exist to me! Once I hit a roadblock I go on around it and find another path. There will always be something in your way when you’re trying to get something accomplished but don’t let it stop you.
shamelle sanders
8. DN: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
SS: My parents. I paid attention to what they were doing. They are so supportive of me and they inspire me in all aspects of my life. I call them for advice. I’m just as close to my Mom as I am to my Dad. They are my best friends, although I don’t know if they know that or not.
9. DN: How can people find you online?
SS:
Online: Shamelle Sanders
Instagram: @shamelletherealtor
Facebook: Shamelle Sanders
Email: shamellesanders@schulerbauer.com
TRANSFORM YOU! ROUND
What book are you reading right now?
SS: The Holy Bible. I’ve been reading more scriptures to get more guidance, so that’s at the top of my list.
What has been your best business purchase?
SS: My laptop.
What/who is your go-to real estate resource?
SS: I tune into my Mentor/Broker, Ms. Doris Hornbuckle. She is always there for me, she answers my calls, she puts up with my rants, and she has the answers to all my questions. She is the one that guided me to join the brokers that I’m with and it’s all because of her that I have lasted this long in the real estate business.
What’s coming up next for you, Shamelle?
SS: I’m putting together a virtual homebuyer’s seminar with one of my lenders and it’s currently in the works.
Thank you so much Shamelle for taking the time to chat with me and share your journey with us!
To my readers, I wanted to include some quick takeaways from today’s conversation and some lessons you can even tweet out.
Takeaway #1 – As a real estate agent, reaching out to your sphere of influence should be your number one priority.
Takeaway #2 – For a new agent, don’t let fear hold you back. All you can do is fail, learn from it, and keep on moving.
Takeaway #3 – As a first time home buyer, there is always something jumping in your path to stop you along the home buying journey, you can’t let that stop you. If you hit a roadblock, just go around it.
Do you know a woman in business that you would like to see in our Women’s History Month 2021 Transform You! Series? Nominate them here.
HOW SHAMELLE SANDERS DIVERSIFIED HER MONEY WITH REAL ESTATE Share on X
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