We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kari Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kari below.
Kari, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Making big changes is never an easy path. I have always been one to have big dreams and constant thoughts/questions geared towards making a living doing something I truly have a passion for. I’d told many people over the years that I wanted to have my own business, with the sole purpose of handling the overflow of tasks and responsibilities others lay awake worrying about at night. I am a “server” by nature… and I am also an intuitive problem solver; my “wheels” are always turning.
Honestly, I started slow by diving in to entrepreneur-focused education and trainings. After-hours of my daytime role were filled with business books and business-start-up content. Being eager and excited, I built connections with others in this space quickly, and before I knew it I had a potential client that “needed me”. I agreed to connect with her, totally winging it… as I was in the “prep” stage of Top of Mind KC. She was exactly what I had pictured as my potential audience and she said… “so when can you start?” …. and she was so elated by the support I offered in just a matter of a few hours each month. I was SO motivated to DO MORE!
Honestly I HAD to get over any imposter syndrome because my day-time employer was concerned with “conflict of interest” and decided to end my contract. While I wasn’t the breadwinner by any means, we did depend on my income, and I had to make Top of Mind KC work, so I did! I spoke with the confidence I’d always used in my primary roles and with word of mouth and referrals I was booked within the month.
I still have moments of imposter syndrome pop up from time to time. When that happens I push through, challenging myself to learn more, research more and stay in conversation with those that came before me. Action is the key to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My life experience includes multiple opportunities in which I truly thrived. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher…. and I went to college for just that. While in college I worked as a property manager (which didn’t seem all that important at the time) and I did that until the day I started setting up my classroom. After 10 years, between both urban public schools and rural private schools, a pivot in my personal life (aka – starting a family) I decided I needed to find a more flexible path. Honestly, real estate kind of fell in my lap through a personal connection who’s family was in real estate development. It was the uber-flexible and part-time options that confirmed my interest in being an agent myself.
I absolutely loved my time selling real estate. For nearly 12 years, I was able to balance home and work and kids and hobbies and all of that. I will be the first to say real estate was a WHOLE DIFFERENT ballgame in the early 2000’s…. So many of the daily tasks our current real estate professionals have on their plate were not even in existence at that time. (aka- social media, video marketing….)
Top of Mind KC is my brain-child, literally. I thought and thought and thought about this dream to support others in the industry I love. It’s my passion for educating, simplifying and supporting others that is the perfect mix of my education and real estate background. I know how time intensive real estate is, and I want other agents, brokers and even adjacent professionals to love what they do; and I know I can be THE KEY to make that happen.
As a marketing influencer, my mission is to guide real estate professionals in aligning their marketing intentions, strategy and branded materials with the high quality level of the service they offer. Our brand is our business and professional, value-added, client-focused marketing is vital in our current real estate market. I provide executive level solutions to optimize business processes, scaled to specific needs, and custom fit to each existing business. I am the best fit for established agents, with consistent business looking to elevate their client experience to the next level. I build the brand and experience, and set each client up for ongoing success with systemized processes, materials and vision.
Coming soon will be exclusive branding-intensives, offers limited to 1-2 clients per month. This is the ultimate business build-out for a serious branding and client experience set up. This offer will optimize existing businesses for the future. Customized, yet structured for efficient, personalized outcomes!
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?
Drive – You have to want it! I always say “I can’t want it for you.” (do I sound like a mom of 20-somethings?!?!? LOL) I have always been a mover and a shaker, and I don’t “sit” on much.
Communication – Making connections and building trust with others is vital to stepping-in to another’s business. Just as Top of Mind KC is MY pride and joy; my clients and connections feel the same. I am really good at communicating (aka- a big talker) and I really like personal connection. This comes easy for me.
Real Estate Real Life Experience- As much as I love to support others dreams to do the same as what I do, or even join forces (and knowing there is a huge demand for real estate support) I truly find that a real-estate-mindset is not something you can build on the sidelines. The day to day life experience, for over 10 years, has given me a solid understanding, empathy and ambition that is necessary to WIN in this industry. You really have to walk the walk to embrace this industry. Often times, these are the underlying currents that fuel my advice, offers and problem solving for each client.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The book I find myself going back to from time to time is an oldie but goodie! Success Principles by Jack Canfield is absolutely the very best business building book I’ve read. I recommend it to everyone when asked and I do this for multiple reasons.
When I initially read it the first time through, I was a realtor. I had 2 small kids at home, not yet in school and I had dove into real estate in a non-traditional way. I got my license to represent a new home developer and new home construction. I didn’t have any training (well… IS there training in real estate?? ha) and was essentially self-taught. Three takeaways that I share with others are:
His amazing insight is organized into short chapters, each with a vital piece to the overall message.
The book is a great collection of motivation; personal motivation and the goal-setting/number crunching kind of motivation.
Jack Canfield values connections and relational business building. I’m good at this part, so of course I really like it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.topofmindkc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topofmindkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topofmind.kc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karijackson-operationsspecialist/
Image Credits
Avenue A Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
