Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Miles.
Hi Jamie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a Realtor with Keller Williams Midtown Atlanta; I am also a social media Influencer known as The Crafty DIY Guy and I am a television and film actor represented by Houghton Talent. Needless to say, I am busy but I have never been happier!
My journey in Atlanta began in 2004 but I like to say that my life started happening in 2010 when I discovered my love for acting. After working various background acting jobs I thought to myself “I can do that” and started taking acting classes. I eventually got an acting agent and booked a few projects including The Resident on Fox, Watchmen on HBO, The Inspectors on CBS and more – all while juggling a full-time job working on the Talent/Event side of Reality Television with Bravo and NBCUniversal. I worked with some amazing talent including Top Chefs, The Real Housewives, Olympic Athletes, NBC Sports Talent and more. I would plan events, coordinate travel arrangements, travel with talent and be on-site to manage them, etc. Many of these people I keep in touch with! Many that I still text with, several that call me from time to time, etc.
When the pandemic hit, and with the trust of a valued friend and colleague named Michelle Vanna, I was able to pivot from live in-person events to hosting virtual events. We turned our business around and the agency I worked with started selling my talents as an actor and host to various network partners including Warner Media, HGTV and more. This was in addition to the current events I was working on with NBCU and Bravo. I loved what I was doing but needed some me time, a creative outlet if you will so I started crafting and doing DIY Projects around my home. As I would share pictures of my projects on social media, I’d get asked questions like “How did you make that, Did you buy that, can you make me one”, etc, etc. Finally, I decided to start my YouTube Channel The Crafty DIY Guy. I’ve had some amazing mentors and my chanel has reached nearly 75,000 subscribers! I was able to monetize my channel and start paying off debt. When the pandemic “sorta” ended is when things really started to change for me. My job became more and more demanding, adding new events that were not within my wheelhouse, my mentor left NBCU, we had a ton of turnover at my previous employer, and it was time to start my next chapter – Real Estate!
Real Estate was something I always wanted to do, but I was always afraid of the 100% commission. In the past, I never wanted to give up the comfort of that full-time job but this time it was different. I was in a unique position that I was never in previously. I have a full-time income stream thanks to my ongoing YouTube Channel (that is the same as my previous full-time job btw) and I decided to take my leap of faith and follow a dream of becoming a Realtor. I had some great friends over the years who were realtors, they always tried to recruit me, and finally I called one and said “Let’s talk real estate” and my career with Keller Williams Midtown Atlanta was born. I’m a new agent, still learning the ropes and my way around the MLS. I have some great mentors (Rory, Katie, Marsha, Jason) and I am excited for this next chapter! I love that I am still able to create with the DIY side of my life and it compliments my career in Real Estate.
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?
Struggles along the way – many! My biggest struggle was myself though… as odd as that sounds. Once I get something in my head that I am going to do it, I’ll make it happen. But I am my own worst enemy at times. GET A MENTOR! Someone who believes in you but most important – YOU have to believe it!
REAL ESTATE: I studied so hard for my Real Estate exam I failed the class exam 4 times! On the 5th try (after repeating the class a few times) I finally decided this was it. I got it in my head I was going to make it and I passed. I took the state exam a week later and passed it on the first time. One of my mentors and instructors Courtney Holman told me to think of the exam as working with a real estate client. Not every house you show your client the first time is going to be the home of their dreams. You may have to show them 5-25 properties before they find the right. It’s a process, it’s a discipline and it has to be something you love doing. I’ve bought a home, I know what that process is like and I can’t wait to help others find their place to call home.
ACTING: I knew nothing about acting or auditioning, I was HORRIBLE at both at the beginning (and maybe still to some degree) but I pushed myself, I went to classes, I did audition workshops, I showed up with a smile on my face and was professional each time, did my best, learned from my mistakes and kept going. I found a few good, genuine mentors.
INFLUENCER: I knew nothing about this either except for what I have seen on other people’s social media. Influencers were in their teens or 20’s (I am definitely not) but I knew I wanted to share this creativity, so I’m figuring it out on the way. Again, I found a really great mentor. I have several friends with DIY YouTube Channels that help guide me and keep me on track – I am even going to be a brideman in one of my friend’s wedding – and we met via YouTube!
We’ve been impressed with Keller Williams Midtown Atlanta, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
During my time in Atlanta, I have been fortunate enough to live in Brookhaven, Midtown, Buckhead and now the Tri-Cities (Hapeville, East Point, College Park) area. I have a strong knowledge of the various neighborhoods and communities within the Atlanta and Atlanta-metro area. I have owned newer condominiums, rented apartments and currently own a 75 years old home. Each home is unique and special and it’s important to not only find your place to call home but to share this experience with a trusted realtor. For many people, owning a home represents the stability, independence and reaching a personal milestone. Let’s walk through this journey together to find a place for you to call home.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Atlanta is growing like crazy! We are growing inside and outside of the main areas of Midtown, Buckhead, Brookhaven, etc. Downtown Atlanta is getting a revitalization that is going to be very exciting! It’s a great time to be in and outside of the city and there are still properties available – and many more are coming available all the time! Interest rates are never going to be as low as they were during the pandemic, but our rates are still really good and you are making an investment in yourself. Real Estate has proven to be a worthy investment. It provides stability and gives you an equity source to cash over time. You can be aggressive or conservative in real estate – you have many options for long term wealth and establishing generational wealth. I also wouldn’t mind booking a few more TV shows for my acting career and I have a goal of 100,000 subscribers on my YouTube Channel by the end of 2023. My favorite quote is by Henry David Thoreau “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”
Contact Info:
- Website: jemilesrealty.com
- Instagram: @TheCraftyDIYGuy or @JEMilesRealty
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemiles
- Youtube: YouTube.com/TheCraftyDIYGuy
