Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Paschall
Hi Kayla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always believed in being independent and financially secure—something that gave me a sense of freedom even as a kid. Growing up, I was painfully shy and quiet, so when I decided to major in public relations at the University of Texas, it felt like I was throwing myself into the deep end. Public speaking, client meetings, group projects—it was the opposite of my comfort zone. But I wanted to grow, and I knew that meant getting uncomfortable.
Everything shifted when I landed an internship with a local motivational speaker. It was more than I ever expected—I was ghostwriting, managing social media, designing graphics, and even co-authoring one of his bestselling books. That experience lit a fire in me. I wasn’t just an intern; I was making an impact. It gave me confidence I didn’t know I had.
After college, I worked full-time for the motivational speaker and took on some one-off marketing roles for startups. Eventually, I connected with someone through an Indeed listing who needed help consulting real estate agents and lacked a solid marketing strategy. After working together for a while, we both realized there was more to me than just marketing and he invited me to join him full-time to help launch his new homebuilding company. It was an unexpected opportunity, but I was excited to take on the challenge and grow with the business. Within two years after growing to a full-time staff of 25 employees, I was promoted to Director of Operations, where I led rebranding efforts and was as the primary liaison between our team and external partners. I managed everything from purchasing and project timelines to client communications and vendor coordination for high-profile projects. I loved the work, but startups are tough, and the company folded after four years. For the first time in my life, I was unemployed. I felt lost, devastated, insecure, and honestly, terrified.
I spent months job hunting with no clear direction. My resume felt like “too many hats,” too many different industries, and I didn’t seem to fit anywhere. Then a former colleague invited me to join his real estate brokerage. It felt risky— I was still unsure about my sales skills—but I went for it. I’ve come this far in my career off of risk and determination alone. What’s one more jump? For the first six months, I kept a part-time job to play it safe. Eventually, I realized I knew real estate, I knew marketing, and I had enough experience to succeed. What I was missing was belief in myself.
This past summer, I quit my part-time job and committed to real estate full-time. Since then, I’ve been working on residential deals, million-dollar commercial listings, and large development projects. I’ve even added property management to the mix. It hasn’t been easy, but learning to bet on myself has been the most rewarding part of the journey. It took a year to rebuild from the ground up, but now I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be—living that independent life I always dreamed of. My motto of late has been, “you’re a boss ass babe.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like I mentioned earlier, being unemployed and figuring out my next move was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced. I’ve always had a clear sense of direction, but suddenly I was at a crossroads with no idea what to do next. The thought of becoming a real estate agent—working entirely for myself and relying solely on commission—felt impossible. Who did I think I was?
But I’ve learned that making that first move, deciding to go for it, is one of the hardest parts. Getting into real estate sales during one of the slowest markets was no walk in the park. The economy was rough, and even seasoned agents were scrambling to make ends meet. There were so many moments when I questioned my sanity and wondered if I’d made a huge mistake.
This past year has been all about building my confidence and learning to believe in myself. I’ve realized that determination and hard work can take you far, but it all starts with trusting yourself and taking that leap. It hasn’t been easy, but every step forward has been worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’ve had over five years in real estate and a decade of living in Austin. During this time, I’ve built a strong network of title experts, lenders, agents, contractors, developers, you name it. I know Austin and all the surrounding towns inside and out, and my background in marketing and client engagement helps me deliver a personalized, full-service experience.
Sierra Commercial is a boutique commercial and residential real estate brokerage and development firm specializing in buying, selling, leasing, investing, property management, and land development in Central Texas. Our team includes experienced agents, a full-time appraiser, two attorneys, and a developer. We collaborate on deals weekly, so even if you work directly with me, you’re getting the expertise of the entire team.
What sets us apart is our hands-on, collaborative approach. We’re not just focused on transactions—we’re here to help clients achieve their goals, whether that’s finding the perfect home, developing a property, or investing in their future.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as finding fulfillment in what I do while making a meaningful impact on others. It’s not just about hitting sales targets or closing deals—it’s about building genuine relationships, helping clients achieve their goals, and growing personally and professionally along the way. Success also means stepping out of my comfort zone, learning from challenges, and continuously improving. For me, it’s about creating a life where I feel proud of the work I’ve done, the people I’ve helped, and the confidence I’ve built in myself to keep moving forward, no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sierracommercialtx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylapaschall/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaylapaschallagent/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylapaschall/
Image Credits
Team Picture – Cabe Lindsay – cabelindsay@gmail.com
Pictures of Kayla Paschall – Jenna McElroy – hello@jennamcelroy.com
