Meet Christine Williams

Christine, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Like many of us, I was raised to be goal-oriented based on a strong work ethic and advanced education. From early in life, I wanted to be a psychologist. I wanted to help people get through their hardships and sadness and setbacks and disappointments. I declared my major in college without any exploration of other careers. I decided to move to Florida from my native North Carolina at the age of 23, with the intention of establishing residency and getting my advanced degree. In the meantime, I applied for jobs and soon had a career in property management. I excelled at it, and I felt that I truly was helping people, by providing a solution to their housing needs. I was encouraged over and over to obtain my real estate license to open up the opportunities that career offers. At the age of 26, I obtained my Florida real estate license. Three years later, I left my salaried property manager career to pursue the wacky lifestyle of being a self-employed, no-guaranteed income of a REALTOR.

Statistics from the National Association of REALTORS shows that 80% of real estate licensees pursue a different career choice within the first two years. While my first two years were definitely financially and emotionally draining, I stayed the course. Real estate became my career by default. I have excelled at it and achieved many recognitions, titles and awards. Some years are both intrinsically and financing rewarding. There are other years when it simply feels like a job and is absolutely not financially rewarding. There are a lot of public misconceptions about this career that may never be corrected. It is disheartening to work so hard, with no return of your investment in time and overhead expenses through the decades, and to realize that all of the sacrifices you have made in your personal life mean nothing. Those are simply lost experiences, friendships and relationships.

One of my accomplishments early in my real estate career was earning my real estate instructor’s license. It took years to be recognized and hired as a real estate instructor. I will never forget the day in 2013 when I was approached by the owner a real estate school, asking if I would be interested in teaching. So, seven years after obtaining my real estate instructor’s license and seventeen years after obtaining my real estate salesperson license, I was training others.

I discovered that I enjoyed teaching, which is similar to public speaking. I connect well with others in that role and the feedback and evaluations that I receive are written proof of that. I’ve continued to develop my skills and experience in this arena. I own a real estate school. I’ve passed the intensive audition process to become a Florida REALTOR faculty member and I’m an approved instructor for the National Association of REALTORS.

It is my passion and purpose to train and educate real estate licensees. I’m confident enough to share my personal real estate experiences in my classes, which definitely includes the things I’ve done wrong and how I’ve handled the difficult situations. My classes are not textbook experiences, but are relatable on a personal level. Who knew that giving the speech at high school graduation as the Senior Class President would lead to a career choice that involves public speaking! The seed was planted.

Writing has always been my creative gift. Now that I’m in a different stage in life, I’m finally realizing that writing is my purpose, too. I’m able to combine that gift with real estate by writing real estate courses. I continue to submit them to the state of Florida to get reviewed and approved for continuing education credit courses for license renewals. This also gives me more opportunity to teach and connect with others.

While all of this is a forward-moving and evolving career path, I felt unsettled and still questioned my purpose for many years. Personally, I still wasn’t at peace. During the weird times of 2020, I wanted to take a road trip that was within driving distance to a city that I had never explored. I was living in the Jacksonville area at the time and chose Sarasota. From the moment I exited the interstate ramp, all of the tension was inexplicably released from my body and there was an instantaneous familiarity and connection to the place. I began monthly visits, not as a tourist, but to immerse myself in the lifestyle of Sarasota. I just knew that I had to relocate. Energetically, I connect here. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve finally felt like I am home.  I recently wrote an article describing how it is possible to energetically connect to a place, and that it feels a lot like falling in love. That article won a national writing contest, for which I was paid.

It took a couple of years, a huge investment of time, research and money but I made it happen. Sarasota is centered around the arts and is a mecca for Creatives. My world has completely opened up since I intentionally made this city my home. More opportunities to teach and write have become my reality. I’m in the process of partnering with a local real estate boutique firm, so that we can offer real estate classes for local real estate professionals. In addition to real estate writing, I’ve become a freelance writer as a Sarasota hyperlocal expert for a national news app. I’m soon starting a new gig as a downtown walking culinary food tour guide, too! This part-time gig will allow me to share the unique lifestyle of this city that I love.

For me, it took decades to find my purpose in life. As it turns out, it isn’t what I imagined it to be. I’m no longer defined by the boundaries of a career title. I don’t need to be known as a top-producer, or salesperson of the month. I’m definitely comfortable living life outside of the spotlight. My favorite two places to be are in front of a computer while writing an article about life in Sarasota or a real estate course, and in a room of adults presenting a real estate class.

It’s important for everyone to live as their Authentic Self. A job title is work. It’s a paycheck that simply keeps you sustaining a life that may not even be fulfilling. Maybe its purpose is simply to provide the stepping stones of experience and connections that lead you to create and finance a life from the soulful gifts that were always inside of you.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As owner of Accredited Real Estate Institute, I’m going to continue to invest my time into writing real estate courses and books. I already have one e-book available on Amazon (Listings, Sellers and Sustainability). In the future, my courses will be available as softcover real estate training books. I’m also working on some creative pieces that will also be available in the future, too. The rest of my time is devoted to presenting both virtual and live real estate classes around the country.

I’m excited for future opportunities that allow me to travel to other states!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I didn’t realize what my gifts were early on, because I was insecure as a child and adolescent. Becoming a high school athlete is what first changed my mindset. I discovered that it felt good to be recognized in the local paper weekly for my athletic accomplishments. In the academic world, I also received awards and recognition for writing. So, I didn’t realize it then, but those were the gifts that I was supposed to sharing with the world. 

I’ve always been highly empathetic, so I’m able to relate well to others. I can sometimes feel their emotions and instead of being concerned that I’m interfering in their business, I reach out to make a personal connection. My instinct is almost always correct. The person needed to know that another human cared and that their presence matters in this world. I continue to develop my writing and teaching to reach other humans this way.

Take the time to research, discover, acknowledge and develop what comes to you naturally. For example, singers are performing artists. Many start singing as a child, and develop that gift into a lucrative career. Maybe your gift is working with children. You can fulfill that passion by being anything from a school crossing guard to a school principal. Maybe your gift of being an athlete can lead to a fulfilling career as a coach for a university or even a community sports team.

The first step is to know what comes naturally and what brings you joy. Then you research or even create opportunities to monetize that passion. A job title isn’t what defines you and is not your purpose in life. Your passion IS your purpose.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I want to spend the rest of my life, presenting real estate courses and helping other develop their professional skills in this industry. I’m also open to working with others who want to simply host/sponsor a place for me and folks who want to collaborate with me to create seminars, workshops and retreats for real estate professionals. I can be reached via email at integrityandauthenticity@gmail.com

For my freelance writing, I’m always interested in interviewing locals that have a fascinating story to share.