How long have you been in business and what inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
I have been a realtor for almost seven years. I was licensed with Harry Norman Realtors for four years and I have been with Keller Williams- Metro Atlanta for the past few years. I left the banking industry after five years in a management role. I wasn't happy and I knew it was time for a change. I wanted to be self employed, and thought that real estate would be a good fit for me. The flexibility allows me the time to be there for all of the important moments in my family's life, and that is priceless.
What has been your biggest business challenge?
One of my primary challenges has been the ability to market my business on a limited budget. It's taken some time to get my business name and reputation more well-known within my neighborhood.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I am proud of the decision I made recently to donate 7.5% of all my neighborhood commissions back to our community's schools. I got into this business because I wanted to do something that matters - not just work for a corporation. Not only am I helping families find the right home, but now I'm pleased to be giving a little extra to our community's education as well.
How do quality photos help you with business branding and marketing?
Quality photography is extremely important in real estate. In a home listing, if the photos are subpar, it is an immediate turnoff to agents and buyers. The same is true for headshots and other photography used in marketing. I print a monthly postcard that is delivered to 550 addresses within my community. It is important that my headshot photo is high quality and is also an accurate representation of my personality.
Why did you pick Bonnie and her team as your photographer, and why would you recommend her to other business owners?
I picked Bonnie for a few reasons. I saw the quality of her work on social media, and she was highly recommended by friends. Lastly, Bonnie lives in my community. I think it is important to support community entrepreneurs as much as possible. There's been a big push for years to support local restaurants and other brick-and-mortar retailers. I feel it is equally important to pick local service providers within your community, like photographers.
