Today we’d like to introduce you to Swati Shah.
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 was born and raised in Valsad, Gujarat, India, where I completed my schooling and earned a Master’s in Organic Chemistry. From a young age, I was deeply involved in the arts and leadership – I began training in Bharatanatyam at age five, competed in state-level theatre and debate competitions, and served in the Rotaract Club, eventually becoming President and connecting with leaders on an international scale. Growing up in my family’s business, I also learned negotiation and entrepreneurship from my father, lessons that shaped my future career.
In 1991, I moved to Texas after marrying my husband Virang, and like many immigrants, I had to start over from scratch. I studied graphic design and multimedia in Plano, which led me to corporate roles at JCPenney headquarters and later Electronic Data Systems, where I worked for nearly a decade. During my corporate years, I also nurtured my creative side through oil painting. In the early ’90s, I was honored with an Artist Award in the On My Own Time art competition, hosted by the Dallas Business Committee for the Arts and JCPenney. That recognition encouraged me to embrace creativity in all its forms – whether on a canvas, through dance, or later in building my real estate business.
At the same time, I stayed true to my passion for dance by founding Noopur Dance Academy in 1992. Teaching Bharatanatyam to children as young as five became my happy place. Over the years, I trained many students who went on to complete their Arangetram (dance graduation) and perform at major events like the Dallas International Festival, Asia Festival, Dallas Museum of Art, Kimbell Art Museum, Plano Art Festival, India Nite, and many other cultural shows around North Texas. The academy was even featured in The Dallas Morning News for helping preserve Indian classical traditions in the community. For me, Noopur Dance Academy was more than just a dance school – it was a cultural bridge, giving Indian-American children a way to stay connected to their roots while building confidence and discipline.
Community involvement has always been core to who I am. I was active with the India Association of North Texas (IANT) for many years and had the honor of serving as President in 2014 & 2015 and Trustee Chair in 2020. One of my proudest accomplishments was helping lead the project to install the Mahatma Gandhi statue with IANT and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas at Thomas Jefferson Park in Irving, a lasting symbol of peace and heritage for Dallas.
In 2010, I made the leap into real estate full-time with Keller Williams Frisco. What started as a career shift quickly became a calling. Helping families – from first-time buyers to relocating clients – achieve their dream of homeownership has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Over the years, I’ve built the Swati Realty Team into one of the top-producing groups in our market center, and I’ve been recognized with honors such as Top 50 agents of Plano, D Magazine Top Producer, Realtor of the Year and multiple team awards. Beyond the business success, I take the most pride in mentoring others – especially women who are stepping into the workforce for the first time – and showing them what’s possible when they believe in themselves.
Alongside all of this, my biggest joy has been raising my two children. My son Rohan was born in 1993, and my daughter Riya in 1999. They’ve grown up watching me balance business, dance, and community service, and they continue to be my greatest source of motivation. Seeing them build their own paths makes me proud and reminds me why I’ve always worked hard to create opportunities – not just for my family, but for everyone around me.
Looking back, my journey has been full of challenges and blessings, but persistence, community, and creativity have guided me every step of the way. My vision now is to continue growing my team while mentoring and empowering others – paying forward the support and encouragement I’ve been so fortunate to receive.
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?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Moving to the U.S. in 1991 meant leaving behind everything I had built in India – my family, my leadership roles, my dance training, and my community. Starting from scratch in a new country was incredibly difficult. Back home, I was very active in organizations, in education, in dance and theater, and suddenly, here, I was just beginning again without that network or recognition.
There were also cultural and professional challenges. I had to learn how to navigate the corporate world in America, balance motherhood while building a new life, and find ways to keep my creative passions alive. There were times I felt a huge void – like I had left behind a part of myself. But I leaned on my husband’s support and the encouragement of the Indian community, and slowly, I started to rebuild through my art, my dance academy, and eventually my career in real estate.
Even within real estate, the road wasn’t smooth. The market has its ups and downs, and when I started in 2009, I had to prove myself all over again in a new industry. Building trust with clients, earning recognition, and balancing business growth with family and community work took persistence and resilience.
Looking back, those struggles became my greatest lessons. They taught me patience, adaptability, and the importance of community support. Every hurdle – from starting over as an immigrant, to balancing so many roles, to weathering tough markets – shaped me into the person I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Swati Realty Team. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is the Swati Shah Realty LLC, based out of Keller Williams Realty Frisco Stars. We are a top-producing real estate group that serves clients across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, specializing in residential, commercial, land and investment properties.
What truly sets us apart is our people-first philosophy. Real estate is more than just buying or selling – it’s about guiding families through one of the most meaningful and emotional milestones of their lives. Whether it’s a first-time homebuyer nervous about the process, a relocating family trusting us to find their first home in Texas, or an investor building long-term wealth, we treat every client with the same care and attention we’d give our own family.
Over the years, our team has been recognized with honors like D Magazine Top Producer, Plato Top 50, and top awards within Keller Williams, but what I am most proud of is the trust of our clients and the culture of mentorship we’ve built. I have a special passion for empowering agents who are entering the workforce for the first time, helping them build confidence and careers in real estate. Watching new agents grow and thrive under our team’s guidance is just as rewarding as helping a client get the keys to their dream home.
At the heart of our brand is a simple belief: homes are where lives are built and dreams come alive. The Swati Realty Team’s mission is to combine expertise, integrity, and heart – ensuring every client feels supported, understood, and celebrated throughout their journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is helping others grow and achieve their dreams. Whether it’s a first-time homebuyer walking into their new home, an agent I’ve mentored closing their first deal, or a young dance student stepping on stage for their Arangetram – those moments of transformation fill me with joy.
I also find happiness in my family and creativity. Raising my two children, Rohan and Riya, has been my greatest blessing, and they continue to inspire me every day. And whenever I get time for dance or painting, I feel grounded and recharged – it’s my way of staying connected to my roots and expressing myself beyond business.
At the core, I believe happiness comes from service, creativity, and love – serving my community, creating something meaningful, and loving the people around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Swatishahrealty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swatishahrealty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swatishahrealty
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swatishahrealty/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@swatirealtyteam
