Meet Corissa Sutton

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Corissa Sutton . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Corissa below.

Corissa, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Before I became a real estate professional, community leader and business owner, I spent over 20 plus years climbing the corporate ladder working in banking, finance and financial crimes. I began working in banks when I was just seventeen years old, so I essentially grew up in the business and I was able to learn from the bottom up. In doing so, I have worked in many roles where I was the youngest person on the team, the only person of color on the team and/or sometimes the only woman in the department as well. All of those instances had their own set of hardships and none of it was easy. I can look back now and say I learned so much more about myself, my business ethics, practices and how I wanted to show up in those spaces in the future.

Being the “only” in the room taught me a number of skills that I used to become successful, resilient and not shrink in rooms anymore. It taught me that education is power. The more you know, the more confident you will feel. Knowledge is something no one can take away from you. So I always strived to learn above and beyond what was expected of me in any role I ever worked in. In doing so it often made me a valuable asset to the teams I joined. I never stopped learning even to this day, I remember I would study procedures, training manuals and take company paid courses to make myself more valuable. I went back to school, got certifications and used those things as tools and values that set myself above the assumptions, judgements or misconceptions.

I also learned to use my voice and to use it with Authority. There were many times in my career when I felt like being the “only” in the room made me vulnerable and susceptible to mistreatment, judgment, microaggressions and stereotypes. My colleagues often didn’t see it, notice it or even know that it was happening. So it felt lonely at times. I can say as I got older, more knowledgeable, wisdom filled and confident within myself – I became less afraid to express myself because I knew I had value, rights and choice. My opinion, position and feelings are just as important as the next person regardless of social status or role. After years of being quiet, listening and taking other people’s perspectives, I learned to use my voice to make change.

Being the “only” in the room might be seen as a disadvantage sometimes, I learned to make it an advantage.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Corissa Sutton. I am the Owner of Corissa Sutton Enterprises which is a minority woman owned real estate company that helps individuals and families buy, sell, invest or rent to own homes. CSE aims to empower, educate and encourage homeownership and self empowerment.

Last year, I was a top producing agent in my office selling over $2.4 million as an individual agent. Many of my clients were first time home buyers, first generation homeowners, single mothers, entrepreneurs, couples and women led households.

CSE is highly focused on our Homeownership initiative for Single Moms which is designed to provide solutions to single mothers, women led households and mompreneurs. At CSE, we help members tap into their strength, courage, and personal power and help them plan , prepare and become homeowners. We are currently partnering with non-profit organizations, lenders and businesses with similar goals.

I myself am a single mother of four children ranging from 21 to 8 years old. The passion behind my business mission is both personal as much as it is professional. For every person who chooses me as their REALTOR, they too are helping a single mom led home just by hiring me. For every buyer I take on , coach and prepare, support and encourage is a generation of children getting to grow up in a home where generational wealth and stability is being created.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back I can say that the three qualities, skills or areas of knowledge that made an impact on my journey were Self Confidence – Consistency and having a Big Why.

In the beginning when I was transitioning from the comforts of working in a fortune 500 company with benefits, 401k and a steady paycheck to be an Entrepreneur it was scary. It was hard to leave something so familiar and comfortable for the unknown. Self confidence is what got me through that first hurdle. I was confident in my abilities, my background, knowledge, skills and business ethics. I had to remind myself daily that I was worthy, deserving and that I had all the capable skills to do this on my own. I said to say it, believe it and get up every day like it was true.

Consistency is what you will need to keep going. On the days when work is slow, or you just don’t feel like it, you have to tap in and stay at it no matter what. As a real estate professional you have to be consistently working on the business and in your business to see results. What you put in, is what you get out. Results as best when you are consistent.

Before I transitioned and left the banking world, I knew I always had a bigger plan and goal. I have always wanted to help people. My Big Why has always been my family and giving back to my community. I have always wanted to be able to give my children the best life I can on my own as a single mom. In doing so they became my mission. I have always been a people person and I have always found gratification in seeing other people happy. so when I began my business that’s where I got to marry the two passions of being a single mom, helping single moms and creating happiness in the process.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents taught me was their work ethic. No matter what we went through as a family, my parents always worked. They woke up early everyday and barely missed days and they made sure they made a way. When I was in middle school I remember being like the typical teenager focused on clothes, shoes and materialistic items. I would beg my parents to buy me expensive shoes and name brands. One day my mom told me” put something in your head first, then you can dress yourself later.” At the time, I didn’t understand what she was saying, I just wanted the newest shoes that were out As I got older and began to earn a living for myself, it became more apparent what she actually meant. I learned that the true meaning of the statement meant that knowledge, education and transferable skills can afford you anything you want in life. All your wants, dreams and needs can be acquired with Wisdom + education.

The pathway to earning as much money as you want — is in your mind!

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Image Credits
Family photos by @Shoott

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