Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Smith.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I never planned to be a Realtor. But life is funny like that. I was always the ‘good’ kid that did the right thing and wanted to prove my worth to my family and society. As such, I got my master’s, a responsible job as an accountant, my CPA license and married the ‘good’ guy. I’ve always been interested in real estate, investing, and personal finance. So I got my real estate license and did deals on the side for several years.
But one day, a few years later, I woke up a divorced single mom of two young kids. I knew I needed to create an amazing life for my kids. And there was no way I was going back to my accounting cubicle for 8-10 hours a day. My family was concerned. They asked why I’d take a ‘step down’ in my career from a CPA to a Realtor. It felt right in my gut, and I knew I HAD to start listening to this pull. I had to make this work. It was time to turn this ‘hobby’ into a healthy business. This was the key to creating the life I wanted for our future.
Fast forward a few years to a summer night in downtown Round Rock. I ran into a super cute guy with a SUPER familiar face. I knew I remembered him from high school. I reconnected with Steve, an old friend that I knew from high school. He was a charming (and handsome) Realtor in Austin as well. Small world. We had lots in common, good banter, and THIS was the beginning of us.
A few short years later, we found ourselves married, living in a house in the suburbs with an infant. Crazy, right? But life is short, and we knew what we wanted. We started talking about how we could use our backgrounds, strengths and passions to create something amazing? How could we improve the experience for our customers? The more we talked, the more excited, scared, and motivated we were. We knew we could build something great.
And the Key Group Austin was born. We hit the ground running and created a set of services that offered clients the best service possible. We became obsessed with how to improve. We want to be the VERY best advocate for our clients. We took what worked for each of us in the past and pooled the details together to create something even better. We found a broker and mentors that we connected with to guide and lead us even further. We created something amazing. Today, we’re leveraging with amazing agents to continue to increase our speed, communication, service, and offerings.
During the single mom years, I realized how important ‘home’ is and how I wanted the kids to feel when they walked in. I wanted space to play with friends, safe streets and great schools. I knew so many of our greatest memories and times would happen within those walls.
A house is so much more than where you live. It’s stability for your family. It can move you closer to your goals and vision for the future. It’s where we raise our families, gather with friends and family, grow as humans, and live life to the fullest.
We want to hear and brainstorm with you on what you want for your future and why. We are passionate about helping you create the life you want for your future. It starts with an environment that best supports your awesome life and memories that last a lifetime.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Lots of struggles. Getting divorced and forced to turn this ‘side hustle’ into a career and feed my kids. Another challenge has been learning how to not only be self-employed but trying to shift into being a business owner – big difference! My brokerage being purchased, merged, unexpected life challenges (pregnancy), working with my new husband, starting a team, training other agents, market challenges, etc.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are real humans. We specialize in helping families find more room for their growing families. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible and take as much off their plate as their comfortable with. We believe in educating and empowering our clients to make the best decisions for their families.
We are inclusive, and our core values are clear communication, excellence/growth, personal responsibility, and fun. We celebrate each other’s wins and strive to work hard and smart to help our clients reach their goals.
We’re full service, we consult, handle every step of the process from make ready (we cover the expenses until closing, handle any contractors, etc.) to staging, extensive professional media. Marketing using and social media ads and more. We’re obsessed with customer service and continuing our relationships with our people after the transaction.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Everyone has a different way of dealing with things, different needs, and different housing needs. We’ve loved helping our clients find a home that supports more time at home, working from home, kids at home, etc. We’re adding packages that help with organization, design, etc. so our clients can truly make their house feel like a home.
Contact Info:
- Email: jessica@keygroupaustin.com
- Website: https://keygroupaustin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesssmithaustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekeygroupaustin
Image Credits
Andrew Roberts
