We recently connected with Tiffany Sears and have shared our conversation below.
Tiffany, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
As a little kid, I always felt a certain level of confidence. I knew I was smart, but as I got older it seemed that people did not not value intelligence or ambition from women, so I hid that side of me to some extent. Not being true to myself began to weigh on me. Here I was trying to teach my kids about being themselves and knowing their value and worth, and I was doing the opposite. I don’t really know the exact moment in time that changed for me, but I am so thankful that it did!
A pivotal moment was being laid off by my employer during the pandemic. It was like a blow to the gut. Over the seven years that I worked there, I started to regain my sense of self and knew that there were people who valued what I contributed to the organization. Being laid off taught me that I needed to find a way to depend on myself, and that I needed to create something that couldn’t be taken away from me on a whim by someone. I knew I was good at being a Realtor, after starting in a part time role, so I dove head-first into building my business. I started to recognize this strong, smart, beautiful human being who was not only building an impactful real estate brand, helping people achieve their real estate goals but also evolving into someone I was incredibly proud of. I decided to take care of myself for the first time in my life! I knew things had changed, but others noticed as well. I had so many people tell me that it seemed as if I was aging backward and that I never looked better. I believe it wasn’t a new skincare routine or clothes, but finally being proud of who I had been all along, and was becoming. Confidence and self-esteem look good on me!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the CEO and Broker in Charge of The Sears Group, LLC. We are an independent full-service boutique real estate firm serving the greater Charlotte, NC area (including parts of SC). After being in real estate for five years, we decided to branch off and open our own firm. Most people associate real estate with just the sale or purchase of a new home. We like to look at it from a different perspective. Real estate is one of the largest investment accounts one can have. So, if you think of your home as a place to not only lay your head every night but also as a way to fund the life you want to lead it changes the game. The equity in your home can help you grow or build a business, buy additional investment properties, and pay for home improvements or education. Our goal is to help our clients decide and achieve their ultimate goal with real estate.
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?
I believe the three most important qualities one needs to get through any circumstance or situation are authenticity, empathy and the ability to think critically. People can spot a phony a mile away so being your authentic self is important to not only your own state of mind, but also in building your brand. People who genuinely connect to you, will more than likely support you in your endeavors. Having empathy for others really allows you to see and understand what someone may be going through and evaluate your decisions in a way that is thoughtful. It doesn’t guarantee that hard decisions won’t be made, but it does allow you to reflect on how those decisions are communicated and enacted. Finally, the ability to think critically is unbelievably important. Everything isn’t cut and dry and you must be able to process all aspects of a situation, especially those that require more nuance. Combining these three qualities can really set you apart and help you manage every situation from a place of good.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Everyone needs that one person that they can go to whose primary role is to listen when needed and provide advice when asked. My person is my husband. It didn’t necessarily start out with him understanding that this was what I needed but after being married for as long as we have (30 years in June) and sharing that this is helpful for me, it all fell into place. He understands that sometimes my plate isn’t just full, but the entire table is covered, and he does an amazing job of helping to clear the dishes. And when I am feeling overwhelmed and just need to vent, he will sit and let me and not provide his advice until I ask. Having a partner that can spot when you are beginning to feel anxious and understands what you need to get over that hump can be a life saver. He truly is my rock!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesearsgroupnc.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tiffanysearsrealtor
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tiffanysearsrealtorNC
- Other: TiKToc @Tsearsrealtor
Image Credits
Carlton Talley Photographer 180° Productions
