Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Dukes
Hi Shay, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my Real Estate journey as a 16 year old young woman in Killeen, TX doing open house sales for a local Realtor/Broker. My mom had met the Broker working as a Bank Branch Manager. One day he asked her if she knew anyone looking for a weekend job to sit at his property and show them. Back then you didn’t have to be licensed to do so. She told him I have a daughter who can help you with that and that was my introduction into real estate. He showed me how to become the deal closer I am. He showed me how to conduct showings and convert customers into clients by being knowledgeable and honest. Giving me MLS sheets to study and to practice reciting what I read back to him as I walked him through each home. He taught me that in order to be a great seller you have to believe and know your product and never sell something to anyone you don’t believe in. And that was the stepping stone into real estate. Fast forward life happened after the death of my uncle who was raised like my brother, I returned back to Killeen after a break up and his death. I threw myself into working as a coping mechanism to deal with my grief. Two jobs : Clothing Store Manager during the day, and Waitress/Bartender in the evening trying to deal with my emotions of two lost. I eventually hit rock bottom emotionally after being burnt out and not living my life doing something I was passionate about and that catapulted me into the start of my real estate career. One day I broke down to my mother and she asked well what do you want to do? I told her ” I don’t know but its not this anymore”. “Maybe real estate”. And from there I was offered a residential listing assistant job with the help of her. Working and eventually going to school to get my license was the best hands on training as it allowed me to be a sponge and soak up all areas of the business. Once I received my license I eventually went on to a commercial firm where I learned and fell in love with tenant representation. Present day: I have professionally been in real estate 8 years in July. My journey from waitressing and clothing Store Manager molded me into the multi faceted agent I am now. In the spirit of staying booked and busy as well as never getting to comfortable I now have Two jobs that I am passionate about in the realm of real estate. I not only manage high rise communities and condos corporately for one of the largest multi family companies in the US full time but I also lease, sell, and locate on the residential side while keeping my passion of tenant representation on the commercial side with The Nav Agency. I have leased and managed over 2+million square feet of retail, warehouse and office space to include national franchises such as– Back Porch Draft House, Marcos Pizza, the UPS store, NAPA Auto Parts, Johnstone Supply, Metro T- Mobile, General Dynamics and countless local businesses that have now as of recent opened up second and third locations. I believe that knowing all areas of real estate and mastering them makes you lethal. I can provide my clients an experience and expertise on all fronts which not a lot of agents have the pleasure of offering. And I owe that to every person that has mentored me, told me I can’t as well as those who entrusted me on my journey to help them become first time buyers, renters or business owners.
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?
No, not at all. Even today, years in the game of real estate to the core is the same however we have a bigger platform to master as social media has upped the antsy of the game. Marketing now is as big as it has ever been. And the career field is over-saturated with agents so finding your tribe who believes and you and your mission can have its challenges, especially for someone coming into the City of Dallas- Ft Worth and establishing who I am here. I was told I would never make this or that on my journey. The vision I had for myself marketing-wise would never be obtainable and here I am walking and living in the vision I saw for myself years ago. As an agent especially with an entrepreneurial bone to eventually lead agents specifically you have to be able to adjust and be open-minded. The company I work with now and the leadership of Dan genuinely have allowed their agents the support to build their brands while building the company’s brand. It’s not a hard no to change. Innovation, Collaboration, Adversity and Support are what create a great agent like Sara Bitar, Portia Redman, and Ehrie Foster. Being in rooms with agents who are killing it and doing better than you is the recipe for greatness to come. All of us have a story and it all starts with being told no and working to get to a yes every day still to this day. I am in my sponge stage again right now only being in the City of Dallas 6 months short of a year. And I fought to get here by eventually taking a chance on me. Betting on myself and finding support from like-minded individuals. Commercial is 3% African American and 1% woman so to think it was smooth having national chains buy into someone under 30 of color was hard. But faith and work as well as the support of my family I was able to create my reality and I have loved every minute of the journey.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Nav Agency
Is a real estate firm where luxury and VIP service meet. I specialize in buying, selling, and renting luxury real estate as well as commercial tenant representation. The Nav Agency combines extensive market knowledge with personalized 1-on-1 attention, ensuring a seamless and sophisticated experience for every client. Whether you’re in the market for a luxury home, a commercial space to lease, aiming to attract high-end buyers for your property, or searching for a high-end apartment, we are all committed to fulfilling your real estate aspirations with efficiency and VIP-level service.
Areas I service: Austin, Dallas, Killeen, Harker Heights, and Houston areas
Somerset Association Management
Is a real estate firm that provides and offers complete turnkey management services and an array of solutions and resources to provide nothing short of an exceptional experience for our residents of mid and high-rise communities and condominiums. I specialize in quality customer service, proactive service functions, and unsurpassed hospitality as a Community Manager.
Communities I service: The Highland Hotel and M Central Master Association, The Retreat at Sapphire Bay, Kessler West Townhomes, White Rock Creek Trail Townhomes, Shelby Court Townhomes, Arthouse Condominiums, and the Valencia Townhomes.
Brand wise I am most proud that I work with companies who value family spirit and strive to push the envelope all while providing great customer service.
What I want the Voyage Dallas readers to know about my brand and services: Is that you will receive experience, hospitality at a high level, and knowledge to aid you along the way for future endeavors. My clients turn into family because I love what I do and I do what I love in all realms of real estate. I am passionate and I love to not only continue learning but also educate and make sure my clients know that they always have an expert in their corner.
What does success mean to you?
I define success by the feeling I get from seeing others obtain something they never thought they could have. There’s nothing like seeing a person change their life around because you gave them the opportunity that no one would and now they own three tattoo shops or nail salons. There’s nothing like seeing your clients rent an apartment because they thought they didn’t qualify for a home or even knew the steps to start. There’s nothing like seeing your client rent a starter home for their family of three to purchasing their dream home for their growing family of 5 after their home has burned down. I define success as the feeling I feel inside the change in my community and others advocating for me as their realtor to future clients who become family. That’s true success and priceless. That’s how @shaysmyrealtor was born.
Pricing:
- I service all price points – residential and commercial
- I service and manager only luxury high rise and mid rise communities
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenavagency.com/agent/shay-dukes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaysmyrealtor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shadonna.denise
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shayslaysofficial?_t8nltzOkl4KQ&_r=1
Image Credits
@strikesphoto on instagram
