We recently connected with Kate Hendrickson and have shared our conversation below.
Kate , we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember, but we didn’t call it “anxiety” when I was younger. We called it nerves, or tummy issues, or shyness, or basic sleep troubles. As I got older, people talked about it more. It has certainly become more widely discussed and understood with the growth of social media. With all that said, I started to understand what it was, what drove it, and how it affected me in my everyday life. I came to the realization that although it’s something that has held be back in many ways, it’s also something that has helped lead to my success. It can be a powerful tool if understood and harnessed correctly. My anxiety is one of my strongest internal motivators, it is why I have a strong attention to detail, why I have heightened emotional intelligence, and why I can plan for potential future issues in a transaction to avoid them. Instead of making it negative I have reframed it to be something positive and that shift changed everything for me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a real estate broker in San Luis Obispo county in California and have been in the real estate industry for nearly 20 years. I started right out of college and have never looked back! I have found something I am passionate about and very successful at doing so I am dedicated to this being my life long career. My business marketing started looking a bit difference a few years back as I have embraced the use of social media in both my personal branding and for the exposure of my listings. It has become a big part of my business growth over the past few years. I like to use the Instagram platform to educate people about buying and selling property as I always include a bit of my dry, sarcastic sense of humor. Showing up authentically have proven to be the best approach!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
When I first started out in the real estate business after getting my license, I was a weekend receptionist at a top producing luxury firm. I figured I would hang out in the background and absorb as much information as I could. I stayed in supporting roles for nearly 8 years before stepping into representing my own clients. I learned a ton from other top producing agents and was exposed to far more transactions doing that than if I had started right out on my own. Having that knowledge base helps me stand out in the industry and has helped me become a top producing broker myself. Don’t fear climbing the ladder, it’s what builds the strength you’ll need at the top!
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Burnout is a very common thing for real estate agents, and really for any entrepreneur. The hardest thing is setting boundaries with clients and putting breaks in place to prevent pushing yourself to your breaking point. It’s something I am constantly working on, but setting boundaries with clients up-front has been a game changer for me. I let them know from the start that evenings and weekends are bit more challenging because I often have family time. It’s amazing how accepting and understanding most people are about this! I also plan mini vacations throughout the year as opposed to one or two large ones to give myself little breaks here and there. Many of these are with my family, but a few are just for me. Those allow me to get the recharge I need as a business owner and mother.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slosold.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slosold/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/slosold
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slosold/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
