We recently connected with Kate Storm and have shared our conversation below.
Kate, 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?
I love this question. There are many people in this world who don’t force themselves to do hard things. At the end of the day, the only person that really truly knows whether you’ve decided to WIN the day or WASTE it, is YOU.
I grew up watching my Father work out. He would come home from the construction site, or come out of his office and go for a run and do a strength training workout with a set of dumb-bells, just about every day. It was always something I just saw him do, and figured that’s just what we’re supposed to do after a certain age. At 15 years old, I cut out all fast food and soda from my diet and began doing short jogs and 100 sit ups and pushups just about every night before bed. When I graduated high school, I joined a Planet Fitness and began learning the ropes about strength training and worked out every single day for 21 days to create a habit. I am now approaching my 36th birthday, and I can say I have been working out AT LEAST 5 days a week every since I joined that gym in 2007. I have had 2 beautiful boys, been married and divorced and remarried. I’ve had several different jobs, careers. Life has changed, A LOT of different ways in the last 17 years, but my workouts have remained consistent.
I workout in the morning, always have. It prepares me mentally and physically for the day ahead. I FORCE my body to do the extra rep, run the extra distance. Not for someone else to know it, but for ME to know that I am capable of hard things and I WILL do them.
I am not a personal trainer. I have never gotten a certification, although many have asked me “why not”? That may be a part of my future, but it hasn’t been a piece of my past.
I was previously a hair stylist before I decided it was time for me to choose a career path that was more efficient. I knew that I would eventually be a single mother, but in order for me to make that choice, I needed to make more money, but not at the expense of time. In 2017 I chose to begin taking Real Estate sales courses online. After 6 months, I finished my courses and passed my exams. I immediately dove in. I worked both jobs for awhile until I realized that if I wanted to make it in Real Estate, I had to take a leap of Faith. God was letting me know that this was the right choice, but with more debt than money in my bank account, it was a very tough decision to make. That is when I asked myself, “Have I always excelled at what I wanted to do?” The answer was “YES.” I have always conquered at what I’ve put my mind to. Maybe not immediately, but eventually, I always DO! So, I quit my job, and devoted 100% of my energy into building a business as a Realtor.
Whenever there is something “HARD” or challenging ahead of me, I think about my workouts. I think about that one last rep, one last hill to run, and how accomplished I feel when I’ve done it! I am a firm believer that if there is a will, there’s a way, we can DO ANYTHING we set our minds to.
Since making that tough choice to change my life, take the risks, change careers, divorce my husband at the time, become a single mother, I have been living a life that I once dreamt of. One that is rewarding and FUN! One that I am proud of. I have 2 amazing children who see for themselves that life can be more than mundane. I’m remarried to a man that has completely changed my life and shows me love every day in front of my boys who will now grow up and know what a healthy loving marriage looks like. I am a top producing Realtor in my region, a property owner/manager, and real estate investor. I am the lead singer in a Rock N Roll cover band! Most importantly, I am a God fearing woman. I love my Father in Heaven and through Him I can do all things.
So, “How have I learned to be effective/successful even when I’m the only one in the room?” I learned it through each and every workout that I’ve done. The battle between my mind and body. I make sure I WIN everyday so that I can live this beautiful life that I am living, with and in front of my children, so that they can be my legacy and go on to live extraordinary lives.
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?
I like to joke sometimes and call myself an “unmedicated ADHD” brain. HAHA! I have always been a busy body. It’s hard for me to sit down unless I feel there is zero left that I can do at the end of the day. That is both a blessing and a curse. I get it from both of my parents. I feel that this is why I have my hands in so many different things and I can juggle it all so well. I like to think of a professional juggler… they’ll “drop the ball” several times before they get the rhythm down, and then they add another ball.
I grew up living mainly with my Dad. He and I are very close to this day. I had a strained relationship with my Mom for many many years. She passed away in 2021. I have to thank both of them for the roles they played/play in my life. My Dad is my encourager and my best friend. There will never be words great enough for me to thank him for the influence he has had and continues to have on my life. I have several “half” and “step” siblings. My step brother, Ryan, is special needs. He is 8 years older than me. I grew up watching my Mom struggle in all the ways when it came to my brother. We have the same Mom, but different Dad’s. I still see him regularly. I grew up with a completely different perspective than a lot of people. Ryan has a disability that prevents him from doing most of the things we all have the freedom to do. How dare we not take advantage of all the things life has to offer us? And more importantly, HOW DARE US to ever cast judgement on those that are under privileged?
Once I started to have success in my real estate career, I knew that I had to start giving back. I now allow my clients to choose a non-profit charity of their choice and I donate $100 per transaction on behalf of their settlement. “Real Estate KATE GIVES BACK” is a really awesome way to involve our communities and learn more about all the non-profit organizations out there.
Any time someone comes to me with an opportunity to raise some money for a cause, I AM IN! I have done downtown events, celebrity bartending, brewed a beer with a local brewery to raise money, and more! I’ve been able to raise well over $10,000 in the past! Excentia Human Services is the company near and dear to my heart, as that is the organization in which my Brother’s group home is through. If my clients do not have a specific charity, I will send my $100 donation to them. I received the 2022 Philanthropy Award from Excentia Human Services and was able to tell my Mom and Brothers journey at their annual auction. To date, that is my most cherished award I’ve received since becoming an entrepreneur.
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?
Ever since I was 15 years old, I was in some form of customer service role. I believe that every single job I have had has taught me the necessary skills to be an entrepreneur.
I was in leadership roles as well. I managed a salon of 12 girls for 7 years before becoming a Realtor. That is A LOT of different personalities. HAHA! I learned that the best way to help solve a problem is to hear all sides of the story before analyzing anything. And always try to think of the other persons side and how you can make them happy before opening your mouth.
At the beginning of my career, I was told to read the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. It has helped me in tremendous ways. Being successful is more about how you treat others than making money.
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?
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.
I am not a reader. I wish I was. But like I said before, sitting still isn’t one of my strong suits. I prefer having several motivational and inspirational books started and when I am feeling the need for a “nugget”, I pick one and read a chapter. Nine times out of ten, I get what I was looking for.
That being said, I started reading this book in 2017, and I’m almost finished. HAHA!
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