Get to know our members who share their expertise to help shape the future of our association and industry!
We chatted with our 2021-2022 Foundation Board of Trustees Vice Chair Sam Powell, eXp Realty, to find out more about her career path, why she volunteers and more.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?
20 yearsWHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO REAL ESTATE?
A friend was downsized in 2001 and got into real estate as a career. He got me to sign up for the class and join him at the company he was working with at the time. It was an eye-opening experience for me as I quickly realized that I don’t just sell real estate, I was juggling 1000+ balls in the air all at the same time with prospects, leads, clients, transaction management, process management, etcetera. I realized that what I was selling was my ability to assist in home buying and selling, and I fell in love with that concept.WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR CAREER TO DATE?
I’d have to say when I received the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Community Service Award, closely followed by serving as the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Illinois President.WHAT HAS HELPED YOU MOST TO GET WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
To be honest, what has helped me the most is giving back to the industry that I serve. I got involved back in 2010 with the Women’s Council of REALTORS® and my local and state associations, and it was a game changer. I get to be surrounded by like-minded professionals who are committed to their clients as well as the industry we serve. It’s truly inspiring to watch the leaders around me continue to grow personally and professionally through serving and giving back.WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER?
For me, as time goes on, it’s less and less about the transactional management side of things, and more about the educating, speaking, mentoring and training side.WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO TAKE THEIR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Get engaged in your community and your industry. You don’t have to look far to see so many of our peers making an impact on the lives of those they serve. Commit yourself to community service through real estate.
WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING MEAN TO YOU?
To get to work side by side with not only peers from across the city and suburbs, but to also get to serve beside the amazing staff is great. Also, it’s awesome to see the impact that you are having by being a part of something bigger than your own client database.WHAT HAS BEEN MOST VALUABLE TO YOU/YOUR BUSINESS SINCE YOU GOT INVOLVED IN OUR INDUSTRY?
To be honest, it’s about name recognition in a respectable way. If you’re engaged, give back and get involved in your industry and community, there is a stronger chance that when you are in a deal or multiple offers with a peer, your reputation can help your client’s chances of getting the home of their dreams.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR REALTOR® STORY?
If I were to go back in time and do anything different, I’d volunteer within our industry much earlier!