Life & Work with Kia Walker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kia Walker.

Hi Kia, 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?
After 15 years in the communications industry, it was time to make a move. I actually got my real estate license years ago in the early 2000s, but I was a divorced mom of three small children, and I thought it was just too big a risk to start my own business. So, I played it safe and stayed in my field working my way into training and management. Five years ago with my oldest in college and my younger two close to finishing high school, I felt the pull again. With the support of my husband, I was able to go back to school and obtain my license…again. Turns out that if you wait too long you have to start over, so I did!

Our oldest finished his Masters at Johns Hopkins last year, and the girls are college juniors and seniors, so it’s all gas no brakes at this point.

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?
God no! I almost quit more than once. I thought I was too old, not pretty enough, no “image”. And the deals didn’t come quickly. I was over six months in before I closed anything. I paid for training, headshots tried team and individual sales. It took a while to find my groove. It’s funny. I wasn’t really counting my overall sales until a company tried to recruit me! I had crossed one million at the time. I was so focused on the work and the people I didn’t even know that I had earned my first production award. A friend texted me from the event and showed me my photo on the screen. That was wild!

Also, this is not an easy business. It requires attention to detail and knowing the laws and procedures to protect myself and my clients. I wish it was all pretty houses and closing checks, but there is so much more.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a realtor, but I’m also the wife of a pastor. I didn’t know how much ministry would tie into this business. That’s how I knew this was the perfect time. I walked with people through new marriages, divorce, and death. I specialize in new construction sales and seller representation. I think I’m most proud of staying in it. Most of us don’t make it five years statistically. A lot of agents are out the first year if it’s not the gold mine they expect. I don’t know if I’m “known” for anything, but I do know that my business is almost 90% word of mouth. I don’t have a huge advertising budget or billboards everywhere. I mainly advertise on social media. I let the work and the results speak.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
God is always first! He has blessed my business beyond expectation. I have Too many mentors to start naming names! I will leave someone out and never forgive myself. There are so many incredible women in this business who have influenced me and helped me along the way. One of them is my South Carolina broker who I met at my first brokerage. I’m licensed there as well. Bernadette struck out on her own, and she has flourished!

My husband is my biggest cheerleader. He has always pushed me to stay the course even when I doubted myself. He’s also my bodyguard and sign guy!

Contact Info:

• Website: Soldbykia.com
• Instagram: @kiawalker_realtor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiawalkerrealtor?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Photos by Elizabeth Kia Walker