Life and Work with Keli Pitts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keli Pitts.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started out as a post-bacc premed student, but ultimately, my desire to build wealth myself won. Naturally, I complete any journey that I embark on, but I knew that going straight in medical school after completing my pre-medicine studies was something that I’d be taking off of the table.

During my last semester of pre-medicine, I started studying investment real estate. The first six months or so were definitely trying, but shortly after, I completed my pre-med program, I landed my first real estate deal. I did end up losing that deal, but I kept going and in a couple of short months, during the summer of 2017, I took home north of $100K in profits from my investment transactions! That was an emotional experience. I had never made that much money at one time and on my own. I had never made that much money ever actually! Needless to say, my life changed- quickly.

Over the years, women saw the success that I was having and they expressed to me that they themselves were experiencing trouble breaking into the world of real estate investing! I knew that to be true because of my own experiences when I was first getting started. None of the investment firms wanted to hire a woman. The sexism was quite overt, actually. In fact, one of the first firms that I walked into said “are you sure that you don’t want to just go and be an agent? You’re really pretty. You’d make way more money doing that.” I was stunned. They truly thought that they were paying me a… compliment. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with being an agent, but I just knew that I wanted something different. That I was capable of something else. I realized, very early on that I had my back up against a wall. So, I started my own firm. For the first three years, I was a one-woman show, but I knew that this was bigger than me. Much bigger than me, and that other women deserved this to be a part of this life-changing industry as well. In the spring of 2019, I joined my first $25K real estate investing mastermind in which gave me the systems that I needed to expand and open my doors to other women. I changed the name of my firm to S K I R T S Agency and I hired an all-female staff.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Certainly not a smooth road. Being a player in a male-dominated industry has been challenging. My advice to other women? Become principle-centered, and very early on in your journey. Fear and flexibility, mostly due to fear, can be sensed; and not everyone will use that as an opportunity to educate you. Some will see it as an opportunity to exploit you. Boundaries are your internal GPS, so don’t be afraid to assert them, calmly and graciously though. You can still be a lady and stay five steps ahead. Also, regardless of your sex, knowledge can’t ever be discredited so do as much as you can to become an expert in what you are seeking to do. Regardless of your sex, being in a strong knowledge of the facts, laws, and regulations is a very difficult thing to take down.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with MODERN-DAY CLAIR – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am most proud of being a voice/brand that the women of my time can trust. Being the leader of an all female-owned investment firm is just one special part of my story. Committing to my healing, though, and truly overcoming past traumas so that I may have a beautiful and full life has meant everything to me. Women who have witnessed my evolution ask me how I became happy. They want to know what I did or what steps I took to get to such a place, such a place that looks very different from where I started. It means so much that my growth is evident and that it has given so many because the authenticity and the honesty in it can be felt. There’s nothing forced about where I am now, and I am very proud of that.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
Why the Rich are Getting Richer by Robert Kiyosaki
Contrarian Playbook by Manny Khoshbin
Sale or be sold by Grant Cardone
Shark Tales by Barbara Corcoran

Contact Info:

• Instagram: moderndayclair

Image Credit:
Tiffany Davis

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