Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcia Hooper.
Hi Marcia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
If I’m going to tell my story and how I got started I guess I should go all the way back to when I was a 23-year-old in college with a newborn. I moved to Atlanta right after graduation and worked extremely hard to ensure our survival. I eventually got married in 2003. By 2008, I was divorced and jobless with two kids. I was devastated, but instead of giving up, I persevered by finding work while raising two beautiful children and, at the encouragement of a close friend, pursuing my love of photography.
I started working at a photography studio for about a year or so which meant being at the studio at 4am to train and driving 45 minutes back home to get the kids ready for school. I took other jobs and would pick up photography gigs for extra money all while trying to avoid being evicted from our apartment or having my car repossessed. At the beginning of 2011, I was again without a full -time job, and I was invited to a boot camp at this company that specialized in software testing. I did well and they offered me a job the following week., I was so excited because I knew if I worked hard in the tech industry, I would be able to provide for my family and be stable financially. I had dreams of paying for my kids’ college tuition, and building generational wealth for them to pass down to their kids so I had to figure out what my next move was.
In 2018, I finally felt like I could purchase my first home because throughout the years, I convinced myself that owning my own home wasn’t obtainable. Once I started the home buying process, I was intrigued and terrified because there was so much, I didn’t know about buying a home. During the process, I learned what to do and what not to do. I remember the day I finally received my keys and it was a surreal feeling. I remember walking into my home and having this feeling of disbelief that this is my house. It was an accomplishment I was able to achieve in spite of the many the challenges I had over the years. It’s been 3 years and I still get that feeling. That experience gave me the idea that I could build generational wealth and help people find a home and have those same feelings of sheer joy, happiness, independence and surrealness.
In July 2020, I was talking to a friend in the real estate industry and mentioned that I was thinking about getting my license. She said I should and that I would be great at it. While working full time, I took the real estate class online and eventually passed the real estate exam in June of this year. I decided to join Keller Williams and started my real estate career in July. I got my first client by the end of July. Helping her find a home as she started a new family and seeing her face when we closed solidified that I made the right career choice.
Notwithstanding all I had accomplished professional, what I am most proud of is what my children have been able to accomplish. My daughter maintained good grades in school, attended college and graduated. My son, who is now a junior in high school, maintained good grades while playing various sports and preparing for college. My children witnessed me come up and work hard to become successful. Setting an example for both of them gives me all the drive I need to build a successful real estate business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The choice I made to take a self-paced online real estate class did not come easily. I was simultaneously working a full-time job while managing my son, who was attending digital learning school. I finally finished my real estate class in April of 2021 – and failed my final exam twice. I could have given up then, but I kept at it. I finally took the state exam in May and yes, I failed. I felt like giving up again, but I knew I had to pass this exam. I had a goal of building generation wealth for my children, so I dug in deep and dismissed the feelings of failure. I finally passed June 4, 2021. So, getting to where I am now was not easy, especially while working a full-time job, helping my son with school and just life in general.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Realtor for the state of Georgia. Although I live in the Atlanta area, I am able to help anyone find a home or investment property anywhere within the state of Georgia. When I work with clients, I come from a place of service and contribution. I am here to help you find your dream home or your next big investment by going the extra mile to make sure you get the home you desire. I want all of my clients to feel comfortable by providing the resources they need to educate themselves on the home buying process. As your agent, it is my job to protect your investment during the process and make things easy for you while providing you with the best service possible. Real Estate is about building relationships and my brand is all about building relationships, providing service and coming from a place of value to each and every one of our clients.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I listen to the On Purpose Podcast with Jay Shetty. I also listen to Women Rocking Real Estate Podcast, the motivational app on my phone.
Contact Info:
- Email: realtormarciahooper@gmail.com
- Website: https://marciahooper.kw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marciasellshomes_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marciasellshomesga
