Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Garland.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brittany. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
While in high school, I decided that I wanted to be an architect, so I researched schools and what I would need to do to get accepted into a college. After gathering all of the information that I needed, I talked to my counselor and took a look at my credits and what I needed to graduate a year early since the Architecture Program is a five year program for Undergrad. I didn’t have many credits left, so I was able to sign up for the Co-Op course that helped seniors get a job and work the last period and I received credit for that. I got my first job at AMC Theater at 16 years old. I was able to keep up my grades and got to see free movies. Who wouldn’t love that at any age, right?! Once I graduated in the top 10% of my class, I was headed to Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA to start the Architecture Program. It was a different atmosphere out there compared to Houston. Being away from home at only 17 was something out of the norm for me, but I was able to get adjusted and make the Dean’s List my first year there. Unfortunately, I was there when both Katrina and Rita hit. Everyone was trying to get into Texas, but I decided to stay in the dorm with only a select few others that didn’t want to leave either. In my second year, I was home for a break and I was informed by my orthopedic doctor that I needed to have arthroscopic surgery on both knees.
Since I didn’t have family or help in Baton Rouge to recover, I transferred to the University of Houston in Jan. 2008. I wasn’t able to transfer all of my credits from Southern to go towards my Architecture Degree, so I changed my major to Business Management, which was my minor at Southern. I had the surgery on one knee in 2009 and the other in 2010. Shortly after graduating, I didn’t automatically get a job in management, but since I had a background in customer service, I was able to get into payroll and grow my knowledge of taxes, accounting, and HR since we all worked closely together to get everyone paid. I believed I could still use these skills when I had my own business one day. Still, with my passion being designing and architecture, I wanted to understand what people looked for in a home, so I went to get my real estate license in 2014. I was still working on the payroll as I learned about the real estate business and market myself. I also had my daughter in 2014, so that just added to motivation to do more so that when she gets older, I would be able to schedule myself around hers. As I gained more experience in both payroll and real estate, I continued educating myself on the market and being able to be an entrepreneur with my properties and designs. I recently completed my associate degree in drafting and design with a concentration in architecture so that I can make my residential designs and be able to sell them to custom home builders. I am continuing to grow and learn and look forward to what lies next in my future.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course not! Lol! I have been going to school and working since I was 16 years old, so between getting enough sleep, studying, and making sure bills are paid, my schedule was always full. I had to learn to prioritize and manage my time very closely. Sometimes I could only take one or two classes at a time because it interfered with my work schedule that wasn’t given a chance to work around at the time, so that prolonged my completion date. I couldn’t let that get me down though, so I remained motivated by the result. Working in real estate part-time for the first few years was also difficult to schedule time with my clients as well, but with open communication, we were able to get things done.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I work as an independent contractor at eXp Realty. I specialize in resales and rentals at the moment, but I am learning more about new builds, foreclosures, and other investment deals. I am proud of being able to help others find something better for them and their families. Every situation is different, so any way that I can make the process easier and smoother for everyone is something that keeps me smiling. I believe what sets me apart from other agents in the business is my being able to not treat the transactions as a business deal but as another way to build a long lasting relationship with my clients. I don’t like the communication to end after closing the deal. I like to know how their new home is coming along with the changes they have made to make it their own and know how it is hosting family gatherings in the new space.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a big mama’s girl! I was an only child until my Mom had my sister Karissa when I was 17 years old. I was very shy and kept to myself unless it had something to do with sports, then I was all in trying to be a contributing asset to the team. Playing sports helped me to come out of my shyness and allow people into my world. I started in gymnastics then moved into cheer leading, football, volleyball, and basketball. I was a tomboy growing up, and I played football in the neighborhood with the boys. Once I learned that I was left handed in sports, it was a bit challenging to be coached, but I luckily had another left handed team mate that was able to practice with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brittanygarland.exprealty.com/
- Phone: 832-617-0717
- Email: brittany.garland@exprealty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreams_2_reality_by_bgarland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreams2realitybybgarland/
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