Sliding into #3 In GA Feeling Better in this Ranking than I Did at #1 or 2

Sliding into the #3 spot from #1 in Georgia in closed transactions, I find myself feeling better in this spot than I did at #1 or 2.

Not in being a top agent, but in being a happier, more fulfilled person surrounding myself with those that deserve my best...  but seriously, what a freaking year I’ve chronicled - 

A long time friend recently remarked to me: “You are an industry.”

While I realize I am one of the most celebrated, nationally recognized and award honored real estate agents under 40, this isn’t the life I dreamt of 15 or 20 years ago as I was growing up and coming of age in life.

Homebuilder. Realtor. Broker/Owner. Stager. Home Plan Designer. My "titles."

When people ask what I do, I don’t rattle off the list of titles above. I reply: “Whatever it takes.”

My life is more or less a story of survival. Popping out of the womb with a bag of Skittles tasting the rainbow I’ve been true to myself always - not an easy road, especially in the South - and at one time money was my driving factor in life. Because I didn’t have any ha! Things have changed a little since then. I questioned if I should get out of the business, if I should be so true to myself and stand out so much, and then clearly doubled down on exactly that building a business brand centered around everything that defines me as a truly unique individual. 

While money isn’t as much of a concern these days and the awards aren’t the same new, fresh experience they were, a friend has told me for years that I should celebrate and recognize my accomplishments whether it’s building and closing on a house or being #3 in Georgia. 

Yep, that’s right. I’ve dropped to #3 in Georgia. My first time ranking #3 and knocked down from being # 1 and #2 two different years for a total of 4 years in one of the top two spots. Not too shabby considering I worked nearly all on my own for almost half the year. In the last 10 months I’ve been through hell. That’s being honest. Taking over a mismanaged unholy mess of a company, cleaning it up, clearing it out and learning A LOT along the way in terms of self respect, my value and removing toxicity in my life while treasuring those that are deserving of me and my best. 

I would say that’s what I’m celebrating as I reflect and enjoy the evolutionary path I’ve traveled for the last decade. 

When I was approached and asked if I would buy the company last August, I realized it would be a long, hard road ahead. A scary road. Making a big life change IS scary, but what’s even more frightening is the chance we don’t take. Which leads to what’s worst of all: regret. 

Some people have said they miss “the old Blair.” The old Blair is still here, it’s still me, but fewer people get that part of me because I realized there are people that don’t deserve that part of me and there’s only so much of me to go around - so I’m more selective in who gets it. 

When a brokerage manager told me “you can add titles to your name, but it doesn’t make you anymore qualified” I reacted by removing the titles of Broker, Owner, President and CEO from my email signature - which is to what he was referring ;) it was kinda long anyway, right? This wasn’t a direct reaction to him. It was me realizing I don’t need titles to define myself. I’m just Blair. And that’s enough on it’s own. Besides, I can just point to all the awards I’ve earned (more than I can even recall honestly) if I’d like to qualify myself to that dude in this industry.

It was a pot shot he threw at me yeah, but my time and energy are worth more than that dramatic and petty stuff. That guy is a bully and just as I brushed off the bullies that called me names 20 years ago, I brush off the adult bully taking shots at my pedigree - that I earned and continue to build.  

Don’t mistake my confidence for cockiness. And don’t be jealous of my position and success - those that do aren’t likely to have a clue what it took to get here or stay. 

Just as I’m told by my clients of the agents who have come after their business telling them about what I’m not or can’t be doing for them... I reply: why are they talking about me? Why is my name and what I’m doing or not doing the consistent theme out of their mouths? Why aren’t they talking about themselves and what they can do? 

Because I’m the standard by which they measure themselves. And to that I say: thank you. I’m flattered by the compliment. 

Someone can poach all of my staff and team members, they can copy my marketing as best they can manage and even try to steal my clients, but they’ll never be me. I mean, come on, I’m a truly unique individual and my entire brand is built around that. And that’s something that can never be taken from me. Inherent value. 

“The day I stop being copied, it means I’m not worth anything anymore.” Yves Saint Laurent

And that’s why I am in a place of peace and fulfillment in my life - awards or not. 

I don’t pay into syndication sites. I don’t pay for leads. I don’t pay ISA’s to call expireds or FSBO’s for me. All of my business comes to me. If you really want to be me - build that brand value. And I’ll congratulate you if and when you do. 

I didn’t start out in life with titles or awards nor am I defined by those things today. I’m the unique, true to myself individual I’ve always been and that’s what’s important and defines me. 

Those that left my side in the past year didn’t have faith in me - that I would not only survive, but thrive and in the process make everything, and myself, even better. I didn’t become the #1, 2 or 3 agent in Georgia and top 10, 20, 50, 100 or 200 in the nation by being dumb.

Part of this hellish process has been realizing how strong, capable and truly smart I am. And that’s been a true gift. Through the hurts of losing people closest to me that lacked not so much faith in me, truth be told, but faith in themselves that things would be okay if they stood by my side, I’ve come through having more faith in myself, my vision and my strength. To those that haven’t believed in me - which is really, honestly, them not believing in themselves and their own strength - I say... thank you for allowing me this opportunity to learn and grow. 

In the wise words of Kimberly “Sweet” Brown, “ain’t nobody got time for that.”

I’ll give my best to anything and everything that’s deserving of it. Thank you to all those that left my side, or I shoo’ed out the door, for allowing me to clear my life, mind, soul and heart - helping me see the truth in people and those who are deserving of my best. And most important - that I deserve my best more than anyone else. 

An agent friend in another market area that I’ve known for many years visited with me recently and when we parted ways said: “your comeback is gonna be great.”

While I appreciated the sentiment of her remark, I would say I don’t have anything personally to come back from. I’m listing and closing more than any other individual agent I’m aware of (individual meaning no licensed agents selling on your behalf) and more than most teams. In any market. All on my own. Yeah, I fell to number 2 in Georgia, but there’s more to life and there’s more to come. A “come up” rather than a comeback. BIG things. Bigger than before. And I’m excited. It’s gonna be GREAT!

Titles and awards don’t define me, but to the hater who calls me out as being no more qualified (when they’re not even a licensed broker and haven’t sold a piece of real estate in their lives) I could ask - when was the last time you ranked in the Top Thousand agents in the nation? ;) But this is also someone that told me they’re too busy running successful companies, unlike me. 

To which I replied... Success is a subjective term. 

Stop hustling when your haters stop talking about you - because they really just want to be you. 

It’s a fact. Haters don’t hate you. They hate themselves because you’re a reflection of everything they want to be. 

I’ve experienced enough haters in my life for me living my truth, for my success as a top ranked agent in the nation, to learn this lesson. And I’m thankful for all I learn - even from my haters ;)

And while I’m not #1 in Georgia this year and perhaps never again, I’ve reached that place before and it brings me back to where I began - when a senior broker in the business told me to change nearly everything about myself to succeed. I carried a chip on my shoulder for years over that. Understandable, but not the best place for my mind, soul and heart to inhabit. I’m happy that I’ve evolved beyond that place to a new frontier where I consider that broker an advisor that I sometimes seek business counsel from.

“You have to be odd to be number one.” - Dr. Suess

I’ve always been true to myself, bucked the majority or status quo and blazed my own trail in life never apologizing for my uniqueness. Not everyone understands it. Some are jealous. But that doesn’t matter. 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life is that those that don’t understand me and will sometimes judge me as a result, really don’t understand themselves and they’re often jealous of how comfortable I am in my own skin, living my truth. 

Your haters are your biggest fans. 

I possess an inherent strength, yet I’ve also developed a strength from life experience. I’m most thankful for all that I’ve learned along the journey in life - even my greatest hurts, the deepest pains, the betrayals, lies and deception - because I reflect, learn and grow from each experience. 

At this time I’m thankful for an award, the recognition of all my hard work yes, but I’m most thankful for the invaluable lessons I learn each day. I’m better :)

And to those that stuck by my side, that have sat across from my desk as I broke down in tears and told me “you’ve got this,” they believed in me, been there for me in tough, emotional spots, I am truly thankful for each of you, showing me your exceptional character, your caring heart and strong mind. You are a gift to me. 

Oh, the Places We’ll Go! Stay tuned :) it’s gonna be GREAT and I’m more excited than I’ve been since I first landed a spot on The Thousand 8 years ago! 

Unfortunately, as far as I know, a Hemsworth brother isn’t in that future. But I guess you never know! ;) I wonder what Dr. Suess would say?

With love always leading my path and hopefully yours as well, B :)