Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitzi Birdsong.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I always knew I wanted a career in fashion, and earning my degree in Fashion Merchandising was the first step toward that goal. I began my career with Joske’s, a Texas department store, and later worked for several other retailers before joining the J.C. Penney home office in Plano, Texas.
My career path took me from working in retail stores as a department manager to the corporate office, where I started as an assistant buyer and eventually became a buyer. Over the years, I had the opportunity to buy for a variety of women’s categories, including juniors, lingerie, swimwear, private-brand sportswear, activewear, and national-brand sportswear.
I spent more than 35 years in the fashion and retail industry, a career that took me around the world and gave me incredible experiences. I traveled extensively to New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, India, and Singapore, gaining a unique perspective on fashion, business, culture, and consumer trends.
In 2017, I decided it was time for a new chapter and left the corporate world to become a REALTOR®. Owning my own business was exciting, but there was certainly a lot to learn about the real estate industry. I was just beginning to establish myself in North Texas when my husband and I decided to make another big change and move to Central Texas.
We chose the Marble Falls area, purchased a lot, and built our home, moving in December 2019. In many ways, becoming a REALTOR® in a new community meant starting over. I knew that building relationships and becoming part of the community would be key, so I immediately got involved with the Marble Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, attended events, became active within my brokerage, and immersed myself in learning everything I could about the Highland Lakes area.
Today, I can honestly say that I love this community. I enjoy helping people find their place here, but I also love supporting the local businesses, organizations, and people who make the Highland Lakes such a special place to live and work.
My involvement with the Chamber has become an important part of my journey. I have served on the board for five years and was honored to serve as Chairman of the Board in 2025. I am also a founder of ABLe—Alliance of Business Leaders for Women—which was created to empower, elevate, encourage, and educate women in business throughout the Highland Lakes area. I currently serve as the first Chair of ABLe’s Advisory Committee.
Looking back, my career may seem like it took several different paths—from fashion buyer to REALTOR® and community leader—but each chapter has prepared me for the next. The skills I developed throughout my 35-plus years in retail—relationship building, negotiation, understanding people, recognizing trends, and running a business—have all become invaluable in real estate and in serving my community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My career path has not always been a smooth road. Early in my career, the retail industry was going through a great deal of change, with stores merging, restructuring, and closing. I was fortunate to join J.C. Penney when the company moved its corporate offices to the Dallas/Plano area, which opened the door to many opportunities and helped shape my career.
Working in the fashion and retail industry was exciting, but it also came with challenges. There was a tremendous amount of travel, which could be difficult for family life, and much of my job involved trying to anticipate what customers would want to buy months before those products ever reached the stores. The corporate world was highly competitive, and relationships often played a significant role in getting ahead.
Throughout my career, I learned the importance of staying true to my principles, working hard, and letting my work speak for itself. I didn’t always take the easiest path, but I stayed true to who I was and what I believed in—and ultimately, that helped me get where I wanted to be.
My transition into real estate has been a completely different experience, and I have truly loved every bit of it. Of course, there are ups and downs, but that’s part of being in a market-driven business. Real estate is constantly changing, and the past several years have brought significant changes for REALTORS®. There is always something new to learn, whether it’s changes in contracts, technology, regulations, or the market itself.
I believe one of the keys to success in both careers has been staying curious, continuing to learn, adapting to change, and never losing sight of my values. Every new challenge has been an opportunity to grow, and I wouldn’t trade the journey that brought me here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My real estate business is focused primarily on residential homes and residential lots throughout the Highland Lakes area. I especially enjoy working with first-time homebuyers and people who are new to the area. For many of my clients, buying a home is about much more than finding the right house—it’s about finding the right community and lifestyle.
One of the things I love most about being a REALTOR® in the Highland Lakes is sharing my love for this area with my clients. I want people to understand not only what they are buying, but what it is like to live here. Whether they are looking for a home, a lot to build on, or simply trying to figure out which community is the right fit, I enjoy helping them discover everything the area has to offer.
I think what sets me apart is that I see my role as more than just helping someone buy or sell real estate. I strive to be a resource for my clients and for the community. My background in retail taught me to listen, understand what people are looking for, anticipate needs, and build relationships. I have carried those skills into real estate and continue to believe that relationships are at the heart of a successful business.
What I am most proud of is becoming someone people turn to when they have questions about the Highland Lakes. I have clients, friends, and community members who reach out to me to ask what is happening in the area—not just about real estate, but about new businesses, development, community changes, and what is coming next. To me, that means I have become more than a REALTOR®. I have become a trusted resource for the community I love.
I am proud to call the Highland Lakes home, and I feel fortunate that my business allows me to help others find their place here, too.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be yourself and not try to be someone you are not. It can be tempting, especially in competitive environments, to compare yourself to others or try to fit into what you think people expect you to be. But I’ve learned that there is real strength in staying true to who you are.
Throughout my career, I have tried to stay grounded in my values and principles, even when it wasn’t always the easiest path. I believe that being honest, treating people with respect, working hard, and doing the right thing—even when no one is watching—will always matter.
I’ve also learned that you don’t have to have all the answers. Be willing to learn, listen to others, adapt when things change, and keep moving forward. When you stay true to yourself while remaining open to growth, you can build a career and a life that are genuinely your own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://txbirdsongteam.kw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/txbirdsongteam/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txbirdsongteam
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzibirdsong
