Amy Bandiera-Benjamin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Amy, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Definitely when I was recently on a trip to Italy. Everything about the experience of being in Italy was wonderful – from the food, to the people, to the gorgeous landscapes. I love the slower pace, the joy of sitting around the table with friends and talking & laughing for hours over a meal. While in Italy, we often had to flag down our server for the check, because they leave you to enjoy your food and company and linger for hours around the table. There’s joy in small moments and that is the lesson I think most impacted me on this trip. Italians savor even the most mundane things – they take so much pride and joy in picking the perfect tomatoes for their sauce, growing their own olives for oil, pressing grapes for their wine – all of it was eye opening. It’s like they look at the things we all must do daily, like cook, go to work, take care of the house, and they do it with joy. We stayed at a house in Tuscany that was run and owned by a multi-generational family. I got up early one morning and went outside, and the great grandmother had a basket of tomatoes that she just picked from her garden. She held up a big tomato and smiled – I could tell she was proud of that basket of tomatoes she had grown. We just smiled and nodded at each other – she didn’t speak English and I don’t speak Italian but we shared a moment. Truthfully, this trip was life-changing for me and it solidified my desire to own a home in Italy and eventually live there, at least part time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Amy Bandiera-Benjamin, and I am a realtor in the Charleston, SC area. Real estate always interested me, but truthfully it isn’t just about houses and touring beautiful homes. Real estate is about peoples’ stories, and connecting them to their desired lifestyle. It’s a great feeling when you are walking through a home with clients and they can envision hosting holiday dinners in the dining room or building a playhouse in the backyard for their kids. Whether it’s a first time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner buying their 3rd or 4th home, I love understanding what their goals are and helping them get there. I take a great deal of pride in the fact that my business is mainly referral based or repeat clients, as I’ve always striven to prioritize relationships over sales. I do believe that when you work hard, listen to your clients, and treat them like the priority they are, it’s a win-win for everyone.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I would say my father was and is a big influence on me in terms of work and how I look at work. My dad was a college baseball coach as well as a professor of Physical Education until he retired in his early 70s. He absolutely loved what he did for a living – and would tell anyone who asked that going to work was true joy for him, as he loved working with students and players, and coaching them towards their goals. He always said that if you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. In all honesty, I don’t think my dad would have retired when he did if he did not feel like his assistant coach was ready to take the reigns – he felt like his job was done but probably would have stayed on longer if he didn’t feel like he was leaving his team and students in capable hands.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself to be proud of my accomplishments and to always remember gratitude. It’s funny because I think a lot of people, myself included, always want to strive for more – to do more, to have more, to be more, etc. But if you stop for a moment and take stock of your life, most of us can say we have everything we need right in front of us. I can remember a time in my life when I dreamed of what I have now. When I was a single mom, just trying to make ends meet, I thought I’d never own a home. Truly I felt like that was not in the cards for me, and I think many people, especially in today’s economic climate, feel that way. Thankfully, I had a vision for my life and where I wanted it to go, which was stronger than my fears. I got my real estate license, I worked hard, and my hope is that along the way I helped others while also helping myself build a life that I am proud of today. That doesn’t mean I have stopped trying to improve or get better. I believe all of us are evolving and learning on a daily basis. I feel so fortunate to have my family who support me, friends who I cherish, and an amazing community of people whom I work with and learn from everyday. I live in Charleston, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, in my opinion. How lucky am I that I get to call Charleston home? Most importantly, I have my health, I still have my parents, and I have family both near and far who I love. I also have a home that is my refuge and my favorite place to be at the end of the day. Last, but not least, I have my sweet pup, Roxy. She brings me so much joy everyday!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my friends would say that integrity, honesty, and relationships matter a lot to me. It sounds so cliche but it’s true, how you do one thing is how you do everything. I believe in putting a great deal of effort into my relationships both personally and professionally because at the end of the day, it’s people who matter. It’s people who will lift you up when you are down or in need of help. All the financial success in the world won’t comfort you when you are going through the many trials and tribulations of life. And it’s not totally altruistic, because when a client, a friend, or family member is going through a difficult time, it makes me feel good to offer a hand or an ear to listen. I’m blessed to have some truly amazing friends, both old and new, and of course, my family who mean everything to me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d stop worrying. Worry is the thief of joy. I do recognize that sometimes I will worry about how something will play out, or how I can keep something from going sideways. But the reality is that worry solves nothing and the only thing worry does is make you sick both physically and mentally. So I’ve been trying HARD to let go of things I can’t control and only focus on the things I can. It’s a daily effort because I think I’m wired to always try to be five steps ahead – my brain is always focused on what my next step should be, and that can be tough because I can miss what’s happening right now in front of me. My goal is stop worrying, stop ruminating on things that bother me and just focus on the moment that’s currently in front of me. It’s definitely a work in progress, but the reality is that now is the only moment we are guaranteed, so there’s no use in worrying about what might or might not happen next.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amybandierabenjamin.com
- Instagram: @amybandierabenjamin
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybandierabenjamin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amycharlestonrealestate/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmyBandieraBenjamin
Image Credits
All photos are mine.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
