Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Watkins. Them and their team share their story with us below:
In 2003, Mark and Shannon were selling their first home and John Durham, the agent they had hired to help them in the process, mentioned to Shannon that her personality, hustle, and acuity made her an excellent candidate for a career in real estate. John helped Shannon get her license and brought her on as a buyer’s agent. “John asked me to trust him. He saw something in me, and I will forever be grateful to him for that.”
It wasn’t until Shannon explored real estate that she discovered her true passion. In 18 years, Shannon has sold over $75 million in sales volume and came in at over $14.7 million last year. She has been a member of the Circle of Excellence every year since 2014 and was named Top Agent by Metro South in 2018. In 2020, Metro South named Shannon Member of the Year for the Women’s Council of Realtors. Today, Shannon is a Broker in Georgia with an office of 37 agents, and an Associate Broker in Florida where she practices Real Estate for investors. She manages her own real estate portfolio and has been flipping homes since 2008.
Shannon says her advice to new agents is to join a team and as a career develops, hire a coach. She has recently started coaching others, as it was after hiring a coach that her business began to exponentially grow, and thoroughly enjoys helping others realize their success. “I am always available if anyone in the industry has any questions. I have people I reach out to often to generate feedback and to ask for unbiased advice. I want others to know that I am here to help.” She maintains that reputation is everything. She encourages agents to never burn a bridge and to always hold to the highest standards. “When you make a mistake, own it. And always be truthful.”
By her own definition, Shannon has achieved success. “Success happens when a person has found true joy in what they do even when it’s hard. I found a passion that turned into a true success story for my children to see. I get to share something I love with people every day. I cannot imagine doing anything else.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Shannon Watkins has defied the odds and broken through ceilings that would prove to those who doubted her, that everyone is capable of great things. She was raised by loving parents who often worked several jobs just to make ends meet. She struggled with a learning disability and was told time and time again that college or any kind of success was out of the question. But Shannon refused to let her circumstances define her and by her parents’ example, she knew that with hard work she would achieve incredible things.
Determined to break the cycle of financial instability and earn the respect of her peers, Shannon pursued higher education. While studying, she met her husband Mark and became pregnant with their first daughter. Shannon left school, was working shifts at Hardee’s, and was confronted with the reality that she was creating the same story she so desperately had hoped to leave behind.
After Mark graduated college, they set plans and worked hard. With pure grit and determination, Shannon started a successful commercial cleaning company. Although she was never passionate about cleaning, she was motivated by the example of her parents’ sacrifice for their family to make it work. She would clean at night with the baby on her back and her older daughter would help empty trash cans.
We’ve been impressed with Shannon Sells Team, 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?
Shannon is an incredible team leader, coach, speaker and Broker of Watkins Real Estate Associates. She has accomplished a ton this past year and has plans to grow more in the future. Something that makes this team different is truly the care for their clients. They will go above and beyond for all of their clients even if it means making $0 on a deal. (That has happened) She truly believes that the clients are the #1 priority and holds events to appreciate them, sends them gifts and keeps in touch with almost everyone!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Shannon loves that ATL has tons of unique restaurants and places to explore. She loves going to new dinner spots and her and Mark even spent last year going to one new restaurant a week. They also explored all of the GA state parks and historical parks in a year. Shannon dislikes the traffic in the city.
Contact Info:
- Email: shannon@shannonsellsteam.com
- Website: shannonsellsteam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonsellsteam/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShannonSellsTeam
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShannonSellsGA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzcYN7z0V8wZ7r0fLh800lg
Image Credits:
Southeast Mortgage Company
Hope Mullet Photography
