Today we’d like to introduce you to Berry Hawkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am currently in the process of building a career as a residential real estate agent. I previously owned a talent agency for over two decades, representing commercial photographers and providing negotiation, production and coordination for commercial photography projects. I also owned residential rental properties and acted as manager of these properties.
After taking five years off, while living in Texas and Colorado, I moved back to Dallas full-time in 2020. After taking some time to reacclimate to my home full-time and evaluate what next steps I wanted to take both personally and professionally, I decided to pursue residential real estate. This time not as an investor/landlord, but as a REALTOR® representing buyers and sellers. So, here I go! Basically my third career reincarnation in a challenging industry and I believe it will be a very fulfilling experience!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur throughout my adult life has been an adventure. This life doesn’t always mean you’ll be traveling on a smooth road. I have experienced several recessions and Wall Street upheavals, but the biggest learning experience I have had is learning about living and working with so many different personalities. Some victories and some losses all provided me a world classroom and shaped my life in so many ways.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love everything about buying, selling and leasing real estate! Every home has a story (even new ones), and I believe every home has its meant-to-be owner. It’s more than just helping someone find the “perfect” home. I have a lot of experience buying and selling personal homes and investment properties, so I can see beyond the obvious. Buyers will do themselves a big favor if they can get beyond what they think the perfect home is and be adventurous enough to see how they can (re)create a home into their very own dream home! I have lived through many of my own remodels, I know a lot of general contractors and subs, and I feel confident in my ability to help others see potential in homes that have previously been overlooked. This means they may be able to purchase at a better square foot price than the current market dictates and create the home they actually want. This approach doesn’t work for everyone, but it can really come in handy when clients can be flexible and are willing to be adventurous in their own creativity. Of course, it has to be their vision – I’m just here to pique their interest and help them see there are options in a particularly hot market. Whether they’re buying or selling, it’s wonderful to witness the excitement of someone moving forward in their life. My personal experience of living in so many homes, at so many different values and geographical areas, as well as witnessing previous tenants advance to their own home buying, makes me a different fit than many REALTORS®. I have the experience, knowledge and passion to assist clients fulfill their goals and dreams.
How do you think about luck?
That’s a great question! I remember right after I started my agency, I attended a seminar that a well-known Dallas designer, Jack Summerford, made the statement (paraphrasing), “Determination and persistence is the differentiator that will create success. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you’re not persistent, you will most likely not succeed.” That really stuck with me and I have pursued EVERYTHING in my life with that kind of determination. Most of the time, this mindset has created a lot of success for me. Occasionally, my determination crossed over into self-will and those were the really tough times in my life. Regardless, it has all been a learning experience. The most important thing I can do is show up and try. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But it’s not often I can’t say I didn’t give it my best. And I have always learned from every experience this life has presented to me. I don’t view “luck” as something that just drops in your lap. Ultimately, I believe you must create opportunity through interacting with others, educating yourself and creating a solid reputation, in order to experience what is often called “luck”.
Contact Info:
- Email: berry.hawkins@compass.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berry.hawkins.184
