Meet Naya Patterson

We recently connected with Naya Patterson and have shared our conversation below.

Naya, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

First things, first. You have to walk into any room like you belong to be there, because you do. Take up space. Shake the room if you will.

I’ve experienced being the only one in the room in various ways, including gender, age, and race.

My ability to be successful and effective has come down to mindset, community, and personal belief. Honestly, I’m grateful that most times when it was just me, I didn’t really focus on that detail. I focused on enjoying myself, participating fully, and showing up as myself. That’s what helped me, especially in my younger years. As I’ve gotten older, the spaces and conversations I navigate are different, as well as the responsibilities I hold, I make sure that my mind remains on the goal to be achieved. I remember all the support I have from my community of loved ones. Lastly, I believe in myself first. If I don’t, no one else will.

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’m a realtor and educator, passionate about helping first-time home buyers and sellers navigate the real estate market with confidence. Through my work—whether it’s teaching, social media, or my podcast—I break down complex real estate topics into clear, actionable steps so people can make informed decisions about homeownership.

What excites me most is empowering people to build wealth through real estate, especially those who may not have thought it was possible for them. I also love that my work allows me to merge my passion for education, community service, and business while constantly growing as an entrepreneur.

Beyond real estate, I’m deeply committed to personal development and I lean fully into the ebs and flows of that. I am creating a life of financial freedom that allows me to give back, travel, and design my ideal lifestyle. My ultimate goal is to inspire others to take control of their futures—whether that’s through homeownership, entrepreneurship, or simply believing in their own potential.

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?

Looking back, there were so many lessons learned but remaining teachable and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable has taken me far. Digging a bit deeper into that, the following three things have been most impactful.

1. Resilience & Adaptability – The real estate industry, like life, is full of ups and downs. Deals fall through, markets shift, and challenges arise. But learning to adapt, stay persistent, and push forward despite setbacks has been key. Advice: Develop resilience by embracing challenges as learning experiences. Read books on mindset, surround yourself with people who push you to grow, and remember that every “no” gets you closer to a “yes.”

2. Communication & Education – Whether I’m teaching, creating content, or working with clients, being able to clearly explain complex concepts has been a game-changer. Advice: To improve, focus on continuous learning. Study your industry deeply, but also practice simplifying what you learn. Share knowledge with others through teaching, writing, or video content—it forces you to articulate ideas better.

3. Self-Discipline & Time Management – Balancing real estate, teaching, content creation, and personal goals requires serious time management. Waking up early, setting priorities, and staying consistent have made all the difference. Advice: Build routines that set you up for success. Start with small, daily habits—wake up earlier, plan your day the night before, and use tools like calendars or time-blocking to stay organized.

For those early in their journey, my biggest piece of advice is to stay committed, stay consistent, and always keep learning. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but if you put in the work daily, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I do think it’s better to go all in our strengths rather than investing effort on areas you aren’t as strong in. The more I evolve, I am increasingly keen to what feels good and natural to me. My natural giftings are the things that derive from personal joy. The things that I don’t have to bend or break to do. We should all lean into those strengths, but most importantly, pause and slow down long enough to realize what they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.compass.com/agents/naya-patterson/
• Instagram: @iamnaya______
• Other: https://www.btsspodcast.com/

Image Credits

William Fields