Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Shaw
Hi Sara , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Where did I start? That is a great question: a deep question honestly! I desired freedom and creativity. I suppose it really started with feeling like my work was “purposeless” at a corporate job, and having the harsh timeframe of 8:30am to 5pm for work hours while trying to raise a 1 yr old and a 5 year old on my own. I felt trapped by the system. My family was 2 hours away and I had no back-up if either child was sick or injured. I deeply desired to be there for them. It seemed impossible to do without feel guilty walking into the office the next day if had to leave unexpectedly. I looked around people in my life that inspired me, and saw other entrepreneurs creating their own path. They were working their own hours and making their schedule sync with the lives of their children’s. I wanted that. It looked like my “definition of freedom”, which in the deepest sense of my answer to this question, is where it started for me. I created a small online store and began marketing different items online. Once my inventory would sell out I would re-order higher and higher quantities. I decided I needed more capital to purchase higher quantities of inventory- and I did not want to take out a loan. So somewhere I think my Mom suggested I obtain my real estate license as a career, because then I could create my own schedule and be with my kiddos. But in my short-sighted mind, I thought I’ll just do a couple of transactions a year and get the capital to grow my little online store! Today I am full time real estate and I closed the store (ha ha). Real estate stole my heart and my job is now LOADED with the “purpose” I was seeking. I also honed my digital marketing skills, expanded my database, and narrowed down how to connect with my audience online by owning my little store. It was definitely experimental and my first attempt at entrepreneurship but I learned SO MANY skills that help me today. Storytelling about different products and the benefits of those products in others lives lead me to telling the story of how home ownership can benefit someone’s future! Today, not only do I serve my own real estate clients- but I oversee marketing for our team SPOTLIGHT HOMES serving Memphis, TN. It’s my goal to connect my great teammates Linda Crawford and Allie Johnson to buyers and sellers that need our services. I love it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course there are struggles! 🙂 Ha ha- everyday I wake up knowing nothing is guaranteed. Each morning you start at zero and through overcoming self-doubt, fears, and negative voices in the background, you put yourself out there again and again. It’s scary everyday. A paycheck is not guaranteed: a referral, a relationship, an opportunity is not coming unless you create it.
Top 3 Toughest Lessons:
1. You must be disciplined, not just motivated.
2. Learning to work with different personalities in real estate has been a challenge a various times. Most agents are great at cooperating towards an end goal, but some make the process feel combative.
3. You can not do it alone. (Let me re-phrase that. “I” can not do it alone AND be happy. I enjoy the life balance our team offers.)
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Spotlight Homes?
Spotlight Homes is a new real estate team powered by Keller Williams and I am the director of operations and marketing. I specialize in marketing homes online and creating demand in the market for that specific property. What am I known for? I suppose I am known for creating social media marketing in our office. What sets me apart from others is my creativity and authenticity. I really hate to do what everyone else is doing. And I really hate a salesperson trying to “sell” me. So I often think “how would I feel inside my soul” if I “saw this post, or heard that script, or if someone talked to me that way?” I really try to think of the client’s feelings and experience throughout my marketing and my transactions. I think any good salesman knows they are problem solvers. I want my audience to forget I am in sales, and remember I can solve their problems.
Brand wise I am most proud of our team being genuine humans with sincerity in each action and being family-focused instead of ego driven. Our industry is riddled with agents and teams that focus too often on themselves in their marketing instead of the benefits they bring clients. We strive to show gratitude and showcase our client’s story instead of our own.
Readers should know we offer real estate services for those needing to buy or sell a home in the Memphis Metro area (Shelby County but also in Tipton County). We specialize in helping Military transplants relocate here, and First time Home buyers who need guidance on the necessary steps to purchase a home in these challenging times. If you are thinking of selling your home you should seriously compare our media package to market your home against anyone else’s. In my opinion, No one offers more content, video footage, or digital marketing online than Spotlight Homes. We ensure your property has a large digital footprint. Interview us!
Our team is here to solve any problem with your home that we can- even if you are not buying or selling. We have a huge list of home vendors: plumbers, contractors, pest control, interior designers and more that we can provide. We also LOVE sharing our favorite small businesses such as restaurants, boutiques, hair salons, & festivals in each community with our clients!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I wanted to be an artist or a veterinarian! I was pretty introverted but people always thought I was extroverted. If I could do it over again, I would have majored in Fine Art instead of earning my bachelor and master degree in accountancy at Ole Miss. I think I was ashamed in the “real world” of my creativity and love of nature while I was in college trying to “grow up” and be taken seriously. But now I know these are the things I treasure most about myself, and I deeply regret not pursuing them sooner. I really try to preserve these traits in my children.
I also love love love- music! I can hardly do any task efficiently without music in my ears. I work, edit footage, clean my house, drive, cook dinner, eat dinner (ha ha) always with some type of music on. It just helps me think clearly if I have a task to do! That began in childhood and still holds true.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarashaw.kw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarashawhomes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarashaw.kw/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjN3XJjZEvkN6IIAy7TsMKg
- Other: sarashaw@kw.com | 901.212.8897
Image Credits
Camille Leigh Photography
Madi Aldridge
