Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Banner.
Kristen, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I had just given birth to my son and planned on staying home with him that first year, or more if money and time allowed it. I knew I did not want to go back to a nine-five job. It seemed mind numbing to me. Putting my heart and soul into a job that was just mediocre isn’t how I wanted to run my life going forward. After all, I had a kid now who needed a hard-working, dedicated, strong female to look up to. So, I decided to get my Texas Real Estate License. This wasn’t totally foreign to me as I had similar jobs like working for mortgage companies and apartment complexes in the past. It took me ten months to finish my classes, but I did it! That was brutal.
Immediately after passing my final exam, I joined Keller Williams Allen. They are known for great training and I liked the vibe of the office. Everyone was beyond helpful and welcoming. In my first year, I received four awards for either top 3 closed volume or top 3 number of listings as a rookie. Getting there wasn’t easy. I was doing open houses every single weekend, blasting on social media that I was an active agent in hopes of a referral, cold calling, door knocking, and completing tasks that were way out of my comfort zone. I was so proud of myself, yet I didn’t feel myself. I wasn’t living up to my potential or my idea of how Real Estate should be handled.
My second year was rough, but I still closed more than I did my first year. What some people don’t know is that most Realtors don’t get paid salaries. We are straight commission. We work for weeks or months with a client without getting a single dollar for our services. I fell into a hole and ran out of money then had to get a “real” job. I had to put my son in daycare, put on a happy face and make ends meet. I had a mortgage to pay, a child to feed, and a dream to make a realty. Luckily, the two-job fiasco only lasted a few months. Unfortunately, my son broke his leg and couldn’t attend daycare for seven weeks. After that initial shock of your child breaking a limb, I had a light bulb moment. That was my window of opportunity where I could branch off and do what I wanted to do, the way I wanted to do it.
So here we are! My third year of Real Estate. I left KW and joined a small brokerage, Linwood Realty. I left because I wanted to start over with my own brand, my own vision and be different from the thousands of other Realtors in DFW. My brand, Home Key by Kristen, represents community, confidence and raw, real guidance, not only in Real Estate but in life. I’m finally ready to show the world who Kristen Banner is without living behind this wall called judgement. I have a calling to help people in a big way and that is my mission.
While helping people buy and sell their homes is my primary job (and I do love it fiercely), I did want to implement some other hobbies of mine into my business model. I call it Community Key.
My co-worker and I are working together to help one charity every month. Whether that is through a fundraiser or donating canned goods, we wanted to make a difference. In addition to that, I donate 10% of my commission to a charity of my client’s choice with every closing. This is much bigger than a job to me. This is a lifestyle that I have created not only for myself but to allow others to see that you can make it happen, regardless of what others tell you what your future holds. You can create your own empire. I am ready to take on new experiences and opportunities with Home Key by Kristen’s vision in mind. If you or someone you know are looking to make moves – Reach out and let’s turn that key to your home!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Far from it. Being self employed means you don’t have days off. When the work needs to be done, you get it done. No matter the time or place. That is part of the perk, though. That is one reason I love Real Estate so much. You have to be creative and open to new theories to stand out.
It creates an issue when you have a small child who needs constant attention and love and care. There has been a handful of times I had to scramble to find a babysitter because my client found ‘the one’ and we had to go see it before it went under contract. I’ve even brought him to showings with me. It’s not professional, but you do what you have to do.
Money has been an issue, as mentioned in my previous story. I’ve had to have two jobs – Real Estate and a nine-five AND being a full time mom. It wasn’t the end of the world. I am a woman of many talents and I like to think of myself as a positive individual. That is part of my story and why I am so thankful and proud of where I am today. Also, having gone through that hectic lifestyle and now on the other side of it makes me a humble person/mother and knowing that I am capable of anything life throws at me.
Competition is hard. There are so many Realtors out there… How do you set yourself apart? At what point do you wake up and have all this confidence that you will make it? Do I have to take my nose ring out because there is a certain percentage of the world that thinks it is distasteful? What you have to realize is that if you stay true to yourself and work hard every single day, then the right people will find your path, and they will appreciate you for you. Not because of your flawless resume or sales tactics. Yes, I have knowledge. Yes, I have experience. Yes, I have the vision and I’m not afraid to flaunt that in a nontraditional sense.
It is also very important to me to be encouraging for others. I’ve had a few folks over the years message me asking, ‘how do you make it work?’ I want to let others who were in my situation, or any situation for that matter, know that they can do it. They can break out of their shell and go against the grain and accomplish whatever they set their mind to. They are pretty enough, smart enough, old enough, trusting enough, and so on. They are enough. In a general sense.. it doesn’t have to be work related. It starts from within.
Please tell us about your business.
I have never been traditional. I really like walking through life to the beat of my own drum. They make it so hard to do these days. This is why I started Home Key by Kristen. I am a dream catcher, a match maker, a Realtor, a philanthropist and a mother. I did not agree with a lot of the techniques I was learning. Sure, they will make you money if you do it consistently. It wasn’t passionate, though. Passion is what fuels me. They say to do what sets your soul on fire – so that’s what I do.
Say you are selling your home. You’ve had SO MANY memories in that home. Good and bad. It’s not just a home to you. It’s an old chapter that you are closing and it’s a hard thing to do! I would want to work with someone who understands that to their core, not someone who just wants to push numbers. Yes, knowledge is very important as well, but if you don’t see that I know what I’m doing when you speak with me, then I’m probably not your kind of girl. For my buyers, whether it is your first or tenth home- It is crucial for your agent to listen to what your daily life looks like, what your situation is and what you are looking for. I’m here to keep it real for you. Buying is such a big deal. You need someone to protect your investment and guide you in the right direction!
I am known for my passion and mellow attitude. Passion for life, my son, my path and now my career. I am very lucky and I realize that every day. That brings me to the other side of the business, Community Key.
My goal for my life and my business is really simple. I just want to help. I want to do my part and be a good human. My co-worker, Stephanie and I arranged to help one charity a month through various activities like fundraising or volunteering. This is a huge part of my business because I want people to know that I care beyond what I am capable of. If I can control one thing, it will be helping others, whether that is through emotional support or giving a few hours of my day to a charity. That is what I am most proud of what sets me apart and what makes me the happiest.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
In this business, I pride myself on being generous and strong willed. You have to stay ahead of the curve in order to succeed in this business, but you don’t have to be mean to make it work. It is forever changing and not one deal is ever the same. You have to be devoted, persistent, knowledgeable, patient, witty, and positive. I am not your regular outgoing salesperson. I do like to keep to myself, but I see that as great quality. I have the ability to get along with someone who is the class clown or the person in the corner people watching.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.HomeKeybyKristen.com
- Phone: 972-824-7372
- Email: KristenBanner@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homekeybykristen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristen.banner
Image Credit:
Taylor Darnell-Sibal
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