Meet Shannon Paul

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shannon Paul. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Shannon with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I think my work ethic was shaped early on by my family and life circumstances. My dad passed away when I was just five, and I was raised by my mom, who was a single parent and a relentless provider. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs, so I saw firsthand what it meant to take ownership, take risks, and build something from the ground up. Watching my mom juggle everything—putting food on the table, creating stability for us, and still showing up with strength and grace—instilled something powerful in me. I became independent at a young age, and that sense of responsibility never left. In real estate, where every transaction is different and you have to be proactive, consistent, and resilient, that foundation has served me well. I take pride in showing up fully for my clients, because hard work is just part of who I am.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Shannon Paul, founder of Zaia Estates, a real estate group built on the belief that buying or selling a home should feel like a fully supported, intentional experience, not just a transaction. I focus heavily on residential and investment properties, especially 2–4 unit multifamily homes, helping both homeowners and investors build real, long-term wealth through real estate.

What sets Zaia Estates apart is our combination of deep market knowledge, strategic thinking, and relationship-driven service. We take a white-glove approach so our clients can focus on what they do best while we take care of the rest. We also come from a place of education, we’re by our clients’ side the entire journey, ensuring they feel informed and confident every step of the way. Whether I’m helping a first-time buyer find the right home, guiding a seller through a complicated escrow, or working with a passive investor on a 44-unit apartment acquisition, my goal is always to bring clarity, confidence, and care to the process.

My story starts with growing up in a single-mom household after losing my dad at five. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs, and that shaped me. I became fiercely independent early on, and I think that grit and sense of ownership still fuels everything I do. I’ve built Zaia Estates to reflect that same entrepreneurial spirit, adaptable, committed, and always looking for ways to serve at a higher level.

Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding our investment advisory work. We’re launching educational events and private capital opportunities to help people, especially women and first-time investors to start building generational wealth through real estate. One of those events is our “Mortgages & Mimosas” series, which is designed to deepen people’s knowledge of investing in a fun, approachable way. We are currently working on a project in Illinois and are actively growing our network of investors and strategic partners.

At the heart of it all, Zaia Estates is about helping people move toward financial freedom while staying rooted in values like trust, hustle, and heart.

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, I’d say the three most impactful elements in my journey have been: emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and resilience.

Emotional intelligence has been everything, especially in real estate, where so much of what we do involves guiding people through major life transitions. Being able to listen deeply, read between the lines, and show up with empathy (while still being a strong advocate) builds trust and long-term relationships. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: work on being curious about people. Learn how to hold space for their needs while still delivering results.

Strategic thinking is what takes you from being busy to being effective. You can be the hardest worker in the room, but without a clear sense of direction, you’ll burn out fast. I’ve learned to zoom out, identify patterns, and create systems—whether that’s in negotiations, marketing, or building long-term wealth for clients. If you’re just starting out, carve out time to think beyond the day-to-day. Ask yourself: “What’s the bigger goal here, and how do I move toward it with intention?”

Resilience is the foundation that holds everything else up. In real estate and in business, things don’t always go as planned. Deals fall through, markets shift, people disappoint you. But your ability to keep showing up, to learn, pivot, and keep going, is what determines your trajectory. For me, growing up with a single mom and becoming independent at a young age taught me how to weather hard things. If you’re early in the journey, know that setbacks aren’t the end—they’re just part of the process. Keep your vision clear and your grit strong.

Ultimately, success is about mastering your mindset as much as your craft. Stay open, stay grounded, and keep growing.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe it’s better to go all in on your strengths. Of course, there’s value in improving areas where you’re not as strong, especially when those areas are blocking your progress. But in my experience, real momentum and fulfillment comes from leaning into what you naturally do well.

Strengths aren’t accidents. They’re part of who you are, and when you build your business or career around them, things click. For me, my strengths are work ethic, emotional intelligence, communication, and a genuine ability to connect with people. When I tried to spread myself too thin fixing every weakness, I ended up feeling average at everything and excellent at nothing.

I always use this analogy: If your child is thriving in art but struggling in math, where would you get them a tutor? Most people instinctively say math, but I’d say art. Because when someone is already good at something, and you pour into it, that’s where you’ll see exponential growth. Passion drives mastery. The same is true for us as adults when you develop what you’re already naturally inclined toward, it creates confidence, motivation, and real impact.

Once I gave myself permission to double down on what I’m great at, relationship-building, strategic problem-solving, and guiding people through complex decisions, that’s when my business really took off. Communication and delegation were also huge for me. I stopped trying to do it all myself and started creating systems that others could plug into. That shift allowed me to scale without losing the personal, high-touch experience my clients value most.

That said, self-awareness is key. You have to know the difference between a weakness that just needs to be delegated… and one that could become a liability if ignored. But as a general rule, leaning into your strengths allows you to move with clarity, energy, and impact…and that’s when real growth happens.

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