Name: Kelli Phillips
Job Title: Associate Broker/Team Leader
Company name and office location: Kelli Phillips Realty Group/Southern Classic Realtors
What was your first job in the realty industry? Marketing assistant in 2003 for a mother/daughter team. In 2004, I got my license, and was rookie of the year for my first year with KW. I ran a team with KW and then promoted to managing broker/team leader of a KW office. Now I work in an all virtual model brokerage and run a team of two buyer agents and two administrative personnel.
Where did you grow up? I’m an army brat 🙂 so lots of places. Mostly in the Southeast US, but also overseas.
Growing up, what did you want to be? A teacher! And I look at my role in real estate as doing that now. I believe in educating our clients throughout a transaction, and giving back to my local real estate board as the Education Director.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Pet my dogs, organic gardening, cooking, hiking, taking sunset cruises on our boat on Lake Allatoona (our boat’s name is “An Appointment”)
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Beth Moore. The encouragement and faith-based studies she provides have influenced me as a woman, a leader and a Christian.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? Outdoors! My back porch or yard, Lake Allatoona, anywhere with trees and water.
What do you love most about the industry? The people. Whether it be clients or colleagues, I enjoy meeting others and learning their stories. Our industry impacts individuals during an transitional and an emotional time in their lives and as their Realtor, I become a part of their life and family offering support, advice and guidance. I am humbled to be invited in to their life for this part of their story.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? We focus on our client’s goals before our own. I believe you cannot reach your own goals without first helping others reach theirs. We offer great marketing for our team. And great marketing not only attracts the type of clients you want to work with, but it also repels the ones you don’t want. For example, I like wine and craft beer and dogs. I’m not a cat lover. So you won’t see cat photos on my Instagram Feed. A cat lover might not connect with us on socials, as they would probably get tired of seeing dog photos.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Finding balance between work and life. Our job is not a 9-5 one, and creating that space in the midst of what others perceive to be the “workday hours”, and not feeling like I’m letting someone down because I’m taking a Pilates Class at 10 am on a weekday, or hiking Kennesaw Mountain mid day on a gorgeous fall afternoon.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? No specific location or group. In living my life, I come in contact with others and get to know them, then a develop friendship and trust can develop. Once people trust you, then they are ready to do business with you. In today’s social media world, people are getting to know you via your online presence. My real estate coach and I have been working on developing my online presence in the last year. It’s been a stretch for me (at 51 years old) to accept that people really want to know about the details of what we as realtors do every day. So I’m learning to document my day and share more on socials.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? Raising my three sons to be kind, generous and hardworking men.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I love to read, and usually have one or two going at the same time. The last fiction novel I finished was Jodi Piccoult, Small Great Things. I also like biographies, and am reading Gordon Ramsey’s Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen.
What is your favorite restaurant? Henry’s in Acworth
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Atlanta? The Swan House by Philip Trammell Shutze
What kind of car do you drive? Red Mercedes GLE 350
Smartphone or paper? Smartphone for work, but I still keep a paper file on clients. I like to be able to reach over at my desk and grab it. I will say they are very slim files nowadays — not like the 2 inch thick ones we used to keep!
What is your favorite city after Atlanta? Asheville. If my husband and I ever moved away, we would move to Asheville, NC. We love the mountains and the outdoors. I love the charm of the smaller town as well as the art and restaurants.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? 1 word…Education! Budget annually for courses beyond state requirements.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Bomb Bomb
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Nnot a huge follower of others on twitter.