Hidden Gems: Meet Sara Lauren of By Sara Lauren (Sara J Homes & The Noir Haus)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Lauren.

Hi Sara , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I don’t believe life is meant to follow just one specific path, so looking back each chapter seems to have naturally built upon the one before it.

I began my journey in 2003 in the nonprofit sector, serving adults with traumatic brain injuries, children with cognitive and developmental disabilities, and later as a case manager for individuals living with infectious disease. Those years taught me empathy, advocacy, and the importance of meeting people where they are.

While working in the social service field as a case manager, I often found myself digging through the donation piles to pull items I could use to decorate the bedrooms of my client’s children so they could have a sense of self and peace in their little corner of the world. I also regularly encouraged both friends and coworkers to take a shot at homeownership since I’ve always loved everything “home”, From the feeling of stability to the ability to Create a space that feels safe, welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. More importantly, I’ve always believed owning a home is one of the most meaningful investments a person can make. That passion eventually led me to earn my real estate license in 2014 where I’ve had the privilege of helping buyers, sellers, and families navigate a multitude of transactions including inherited and probate estates.

Along the way, creativity continued calling me. I published my first children’s book in 2013, then by 2018 my young daughter started dabbling in on-camera acting, so to stay by her side I began exploring the film industry where I developed my own projects, some of which received recognition and awards. Photography soon followed, beginning with a small group of actors who trusted me with their headshots. I became especially passionate about helping actors identify their casting type and then creating images that allowed casting professionals to see them in those roles. I remember working with one newer actress who had been struggling to get auditions. I saw her naturally as someone who could play a teacher or an attorney, so we approached her headshot with that in mind. A few months later she booked a featured background spot as an attorney in Netflix’s ‘His and Hers’ directly from that headshot! She text me so excited because she even had her own honey wagon on set! Moments like that showed me that photography could be about more than creating a beautiful image, it could help someone communicate who they are and open a door for them. I remain incredibly grateful to the actors who trusted me to play even a small part in their journeys as I continued developing my craft. Those experiences helped shape my creative eye and eventually broadened my photography interests into fine art and portraiture as I find beauty in everyone.

While my career path may appear unconventional, the mission has remained consistent year after year. Serving others through life transitions. Whether I’m helping someone purchase a home, guiding a family through an inherited property, helping an actor present their casting potential, creating artwork that tells a story, or designing something that brings comfort and hope, my goal is always the same. To leave people feeling seen, encouraged, and a little more hopeful than when we first met.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think any career built on serving people ever is. Every industry I’ve worked in has challenged me in different ways and ultimately helped shape who I am.

Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve experienced plenty of doubt, uncertainty, and the natural highs and lows of running a business. Real estate is a profession where you’re constantly navigating complex personalities, high emotions, and significant financial decisions. Transactions can become tense, requiring diplomacy, patience, and the ability to negotiate professionally even when situations become difficult. I’ve worked through complex transactions, including off-market deals and negotiations involving attorneys, where attention to detail, discretion and protecting my clients interests were imperative. There are also realities that many people don’t see. Because so much of my work is relationship based, there are times when people expect professional advice or services for free without recognizing that this is how I earn my living. Safety is another consideration. Whether meeting strangers for property showings or entering vacant homes, situational awareness is something I never take lightly.

The market has brought its own challenges as well. In a metro area with more than 23,000 licensed Realtors, competition can be tough, and referrals are never guaranteed. I’ve learned that even longstanding relationships don’t guarantee the next opportunity. Those moments can be discouraging, but they’ve taught me not to take business personally. Sometimes you give yourself a few hours to feel the disappointment then move on because that’s all you can do!

The film industry was as equally eye opening. I learned alot and met many great people, some of which are still friends of mine today! However, I did have situations where I had to advocate for proper credit and stand up for agreements that were sometimes not honored. Those experiences reinforced the importance of trusting my instincts, protecting my work, and setting clear boundaries.

There have been plenty of sleepless nights when I lay there wondering if I was making the right decisions and honestly moments when I’ve really missed the predictability of a 9-5. But I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never questioning yourself, it’s about continuing anyway. Today, I’m much more intentional about working with people who value mutual respect, honesty, and professionalism. I don’t chase every opportunity, and I’ve learned not to allow my work to be undervalued.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about By Sara Lauren (Sara J Homes & The Noir Haus)?
While my work spans different industries, each have the same purpose which is helping people navigate meaningful life transitions with compassion, creativity, and integrity.

Through Sara J Homes, I specialize in helping buyers and sellers, with a passion for inherited properties, probate, and assisting seniors and their families during what is often one of life’s most emotional transitions. This type of work is personal to me. My background in nonprofit social services first taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, but my own family experiences deepened that understanding. I recently stepped away from work for a period of time to help care for my elderly parents, and right before my father entered hospice, I obtained my CNA so I could be better equipped to help care for him. Walking through that season with my own family gave me an even greater understanding of the emotional and practical realities families face as parents age, circumstances change, and difficult decisions have to be made. Those experiences naturally led me to this niche because I understand that behind every transaction is a person who may be struggling and I can offer them trust, advocacy, and a steady hand rather than a sales pitch.

The Noir Haus is a creative extension of that same philosophy. Through wearable art, fine art prints, and storytelling, I hope to create pieces that evoke emotion, encourage hope, and remind people that beauty can be found in every season of life, even where they least expect it.

What sets my work apart isn’t a particular product or service; it’s the way I approach people. Whether I’m helping a family navigate an inherited home or creating artwork that resonates with someone’s own journey, my goal remains the same which is to make people feel seen, respected, and cared for. I’ve never been interested in simply closing a transaction or making a sale. I’m interested in building trust, solving problems, and leaving people better than I found them.

I’m also genuinely interested in continuing to meet people who believe in collaboration. People with different strengths, ideas, and experiences who can learn from one another and create opportunities together. Those relationships aren’t always easy to find, which makes me value them even more when they develop organically. I believe some of the most meaningful work happens when people are willing to share ideas, support one another’s strengths, and grow together rather than viewing every relationship as a competition.

More than anything, I hope people come to know my brands as places where professionalism and genuine compassion exist together. I believe life’s difficult chapters can become the beginning of something meaningful.

Any big plans?
I have some things in mind! I always have ideas and goals while using each chapter as a stepping stone, but I’ll keep those tucked away at this time. I’ve never been someone who follows a rigid five year plan so for now, my focus is on continuing to grow both Sara J Homes and The Noir Haus with intention, serving people well, and creating work I’m proud of. I also believe in announcing what’s been built rather than talking too much about what’s coming, so a few future plans will stay under wraps until the timing is right and who knows when that will be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bysaralauren.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarajhomes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoirHausbySL
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-lauren/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaraJHomes
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/saraj.realty