Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrence Stephens.
Terrence, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Being born and raised as an only child to a single mom in Montgomery County, Maryland. Life for me has been LAYERED. My first passion was the arts- specifically a love for music and instruments. It was around the age of 7/8 where I found out I could actually sing. I participated in school plays and musicals until I transitioned into playing football at 9 years old. Never did I LOVE the game of football but found it as a means to an end and especially to please my mother. She was trying her best to find ways to exert my plethora of energy and create a community for me. I am thankful for her decisions, as football ultimately paved the way for my success and opened plenty of doors of opportunity in the process. Football in my early years led to playing football in high school. My team shared lots of success and ultimately, I found myself in receipt of many division 1 scholarship offers to go play collegiate football. Being that my grades and scholastic accomplishments were well above average, I was given the opportunity to consider going to Stanford University on a full scholarship. Once visiting the university in Jan of 2008, I was SOLD on where I wanted to be for the next four years of my life.
My career at Stanford was full of moments. I was able to be a part of a championship-winning program. Vocally performed in different singing groups. Taught by some of the most cherished psychology professors in the world. Became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated and graduated with honors. My collegiate football success allowed me an opportunity to be drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals and check the achievement box of “being in the NFL”. This is where music came full circle in my life as the bengals were featured on HBO’s “Hardknocks” show where I was made to sing in front of the whole team. This led to an opportunity to audition for NBC’s “The Voice” and ultimately led to my involvement in the NFLs Players Choir. Moving to Atlanta in 2013, I had to redefine my identity from just a “football player” and expand on my passions. I found myself pursuing a career in residential real estate in 2015 and consistently working on the growth of my business and supporting clientele. Today, with over 43 mil in career sales, my team and I are “Taking the Town” and expanding the family culture of our business. Since 2020 (in the midst of the pandemic), I began to travel the world and experience different cultures. I am writing this response from Santiago, Chile, which is my 23rd country. I love my life and the sacrifices made/trials endured to get to this place.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although my life is very blessed, I have seen some crazy challenges along the way.
My time in the NFL was very short-lived and that disappointed a lot of my family and friends. Although I found peace in my decision, there are several others that wanted to see me be great in the NFL and have a very long career.
Once football ended, I didn’t care to pursue any “job” in the corporate world. I knew that would be unsatisfactory to my journey, thus leaving me feeling underwhelmed with life. I had the entrepreneurial spirit but not much money to make ends meet at the beginning of my career. Being broke is NOT FUN but it teaches you several lessons along the way. I am grateful for those times.
In the summer of 2019, I broke my leg in a freak accident overseas in Puerto Rico. I was told I may never walk the same again and the journey to recover would be long. Not only did I crush the physical expectations of recovery but I fought back hard in 2020 to have the best financial year of my business. This just so happens to be at the same time of a global pandemic. What a time to be doing GREAT in life while many others around you were going through several different struggles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Terrence Takes The Town started as a business concept in 2016 when I ventured out from being on a real estate team to being an individual brand. I desired something catchy and unique that was easily identifiable. The reality was I wanted to stand out from the rest of the real estate salespersons and show my audience a different side to the business. We are a 100% referral-based business that relies heavily on the strength of relationships and word of mouth. My business has grown, year over year, as my past clients lives changed and they trusted to recommend my services to others they love and trust. When going through the tragic accident of 2019, I was forced to be in a hospital for 30 days. During this time, I had seven deals under contract simultaneously and felt it best to make sure each deal closed in a professional fashion, even If I was dying from a hospital bed. The amount of past/current clients that showed up for me was life-changing. It truly showed me that I was in the right alignment of passion and purpose. THIS was the moment I knew why I had been introduced to real estate. It was never about the homes and always about the people. When people ask “what area do you specialize in”, I will often respond with “I specialize in working with GOOD people and good people know other good people.”
My overall goal is to continue developing the Taking the Town team to be an All Black Male real estate group, focusing our efforts on different categories of buyers/sellers. Alongside Mr Larry Gore (new to the team in 2021), we have reached new heights. Offering services such as Development Marketing and Strategy, Commercial Lease/Purchases, Land Acquisition, Luxury residential sales, etc. We are a full-service team that has a plethora of top-tier resources to assist any buyer or seller in having a world-class experience. Every mortgage lender, closing attorney, inspector, contractor, etc that we refer to our clientele have a special relationship with us. They are true partners who handle our clients with care and consideration.
If you want to buy, sell, or invest in Georgia real estate, we are the team to guide you to that goal. We stand proud in our excellent customer service, communication, and ability to design strategies for our client’s success. It is truly a business I am passionate about.
Contact Info:
- Website: TerrenceTakesTheTown.com
- Instagram: @TerrenceTakesTheTown
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrence.stephens.758/
- Other: https://dot.cards/terrencetakesthetown
