Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Leigh Nobles.
Hi Erika, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m proud to have built a career from scratch in commercial real estate (CRE) that’s now covered the better part of two decades, the majority of which has been with Colliers. What I think about most often, though, is the opportunity I have now to support other women and black professionals – which I do as regional leader of the Colliers Employee Resource Groups for both communities.
A career in CRE doesn’t always follow a conventional path.
My journey into CRE is a bit unconventional. A fashion journalism grad, I dreamt of writing for Vogue, but in the early 2000s, I wrote obituaries for $7.50/hour. I was a fledging musician, a drummer. My real job was assistant manager of an apartment complex – and I loved it! With 366 units, I had 366 clients with different personalities. Every day was a new adventure.
Five years on I was referred to a Colliers office in Dallas where they needed a new lease administration team. Two ladies and I opened the operation, and it was exciting, different, and challenging work. But I felt at home in the culture and the environment, which was ours to build and define. What this took was trust and flexibility from a company – elements that are fundamental to career advancement.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
NOT AT ALL!!! Over 15 years ago, I was homeless; I was working a temp job at an apartment complex, getting myself together in the vacant apartments before work so that no one knew I was homeless. It was one of the hardest times of my life, but I knew it was preparing for me something greater, something that I couldn’t see in that moment. Because of that journey I am able to mentor other young people and redirect them in a different direction. I also have a keen eye to see the potential in others.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
With over 17 years’ experience in Commercial Real Estate, Property Management (Residential), Contracts & Bids, Facility Maintenance, and Lease Administration. Based on my background, I am able to analyze clients’ lease/legal documents for various-size portfolios. As well as effectively build a professional rapport with the Broker, Tenant and Landlords. I have a strong work ethic demonstrated by building sound relationships and improving efficiencies through streamlining processes. Being a part of a MWBE Firm allowed me to serve on a team of three that won a 5-million-dollar facility maintenance contract with The Tarrant County College. I assisted with a multi-million-dollar, 6-year renewal contract for both Dallas and Fort Worth Veteran Affairs Hospitals. I received recognition for effective new account implantation and process on a 300+ location Commercial Real Estate Portfolio two months in a row. In 2021, after being promoted to Senior Lease Analyst, I was selected as the 1st African American Southwest Region Vice President of the Colliers Women’s Network, the director of Events for the Colliers Black Professionals and Dallas Regional Chamber Young Professionals Advisory Council. I was nominated the 2022 Spirit of Colliers Award by my peers. During the pandemic, I had the urgency to put legs to my EL Station vision. In July of 2021, I started my first Little Free Library. In 2023, I opened a 2nd location in Methodist Hospital, developing partnerships with the City of Dallas Recreation Department, The Dallas Public Library, Rick Smith with The Real Estate Book, and Todd Boi with The Little Free Library. In a short time, we have placed book in the hands of over 7000 people in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. In all of this, my hope is to open a facility that will support the rehabilitation of homeless people one day.
For women to stay driven when the hand is often still stacked against them, I think it’s important they see someone they can relate to. When I speak with other women, I bring my real story to the table – a background that doesn’t involve being a broker or an associate but coming from the same entry-level positions they might be in. I have had some tough moments in my life, and I am happy to share them because I hope it empowers others in a similar position to know that a career like mine is possible for them.
Today as the sole African American female leader in our women’s network, I want to do even more for others. I’m especially proud of creating “Let’s Talk Tuesdays”, a forum for Black professionals in Colliers to talk about real things in the world, in our company, in our community. It’s such a good way to help others and feel support.
I’m also the proud 2024 Chair-Elect for the Dallas Regional Chamber Young Professionals. Which is such an honor to be able to work with like-minded young professionals and those that wish to gain more knowledge in certain areas of their career.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’m going to dedicate this one to my grandmother. It was because of her that I was able to overcome many obstacles in my journey. Many of which didn’t begin until she passed away, but I took her strength, and I took her beliefs along with me. I truly believe that if it was never a Zelma Mitchell Brewer, you wouldn’t experience this version of Erika Leigh Nobles that you see today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dallaschamber.org/leadership-programs/yp/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-leigh-nobles-418442157/
