Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanesha McClenon.
Hi Tanesha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Real estate started for me back in California in 1998 after navigating life as a teem mom with typical, young adult jobs. I recently graduated from Locke High School in Los Angeles as a teen mom. I was 17 years old with dreams of going to college, however, that wasn’t in the cards for me as I see it now. I loved doing hair, so I decided to attend Contempo School of Beauty in Inglewood, CA. I was in a car accident which removed my transportation, so I eventually left school as a Junior, trying to figure it out.
Life went on for about 2 years with me working different jobs, and I decided I wanted to go to school for real estate. There was a class in Torrance, not far from where I lived so I registered with a friend and started classes. Everything was foreign. I didn’t have as much interest in the learning aspects of real estate as I initially thought. Still a young, impressionable adult without a mentor or a guide in this process, I had no study ethics in place to help me succeed. I finished the class and went to the weekend test prep, and failed miserably! I wasn’t studying this “foreign language” as required so I left the whole process alone.
I moved on with life once again, started working a full-time job and doing hair on the side. I moved to Texas in 2003 to provide a better life for myself and my daughter who was 8 years old at the time. Only in Texas for a few months, I decided to go back to L.A. for the summer to throw my daughter’s 9th birthday party, where all of her friends and family could attend, and let her stay with my mom for the summer. When I went back home to Texas, I met a realtor at my job. He worked there full-time and was a realtor part-time. This sparked my love for real estate once again, and I decided to take this opportunity to register and attend real estate school. Knowing what happened the last time I attempted to “become a realtor”, I made plans to actually succeed. I requested every Friday off from work for a month and attended Champions School of Real Estate in Dallas. This time, I was committed to learning and becoming a licensed Realtor. After finishing school, I waited a few months before I started studying for the exam. I aced it on the first try. I completely dedicated myself to this goal. I started working in corporate America as a realtor in the REO industry in evictions and selling foreclosed homes in 2007. I started at Keller Williams in 2017 and was blessed with a mentor to help me become greater than I imagined. I have my husband, kids, and family to thank for supporting me through this process and being my Big Why.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was a smooth road for me once I moved to Texas. Was it easy? No, but it was me getting outside of my comfort zone that took me to the next level. I believe when you are doing the right things for the right reasons, your process is fluid. I decided to get into this business to help people, educate and facilitate one of the biggest investments someone will make in their life. People can feel the energy of someone who is honest, understanding, and truly there to help, and I am thankful that these qualities I possess are visible to my clients. Having someone ready, willing, and able to protect you in the process is why I have been successful. This allows them to trust and lean on me for information, understanding, and patience. This is a relationship business and you must earn your client’s trust.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone just starting out is to go with the company that will give you the most training, support, and tools to be successful. A lot of agents start out trying to make money fast, but this job is about relationships, educating your clients, and continuing your education to be the best you can be. Get a mentor, someone who has been in the business long enough to help guide you through the process. It’s not as easy as people think, the professionals in this business just make it look that way.
The one thing I wish I knew about starting out is to plan as if you’re already a top producing business owner so that when you make it, you already have the systems in place to keep growing.
Contact Info:
- Email: TMcClenon@kw.com
- Website: www.TheMcClenonGroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanesha.mcclenon/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themcclenongroup
Subscriber Shoutout: Sara Drehobl | Your Unicorn of Real Estate
“I am a local Realtor in the Greater DFW area! I spend my days playing matchmaker, therapist and dream maker to my Clients all around the metroplex!” – Sara Drehobl
https://leaguere.com/team/sara-drehobl/ | @sarasellsdfw | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdrehobl/
