When her husband was again transferred, this time to Chattanooga, Tenn., Shipley embraced the change, earning her Tennessee real estate license and joining a company. That business changed names and ownership three times before Shipley decided to purchase it. She knew things could be done differently and took on the task.
“Owning my own business wasn’t easy,” says Shipley. “I now had to make personnel decisions and pay overhead bills. But hard work and focus helped me through.”
Known as “Gig City,” Chattanooga boasts the fastest Internet service in the Western Hemisphere—apropos given Shipley cites technology usage as a key to success.
“Stay on top of the new gadgets,” advises Shipley. “They can make your life easier.”
Today, Shipley leads ERA BlueKey Properties in Chattanooga. With one office and 20 agents serving Tennessee and Georgia, the firm was responsible for $55 million in total sales volume last year.
Family Matters
The flexibility of the real estate business, coupled with the mobility afforded by evolving technology enables both mothers to focus on what matters, when it matters most.
“Today I have three school meetings for my children and important business calls to make,” says Hensley. “It all gets done and I do not miss school functions or ball games—thanks to this industry’s use of technology.”
“Balancing life as a wife and mother with the work load of an entrepreneur is challenging,” offers Shipley. “But I have a saying—no matter where you are, be there. Technology helps you better manage your life so you can be where you’re needed most.”
A Collaborative Approach to a Competitive Edge
Both women affiliated with ERA Real Estate because they were looking for the next challenge—being more competitive in their marketplace. Because the brand culture embodies collaboration, both women were able to reach for a common goal via different approaches.
“I didn’t want to lose the American Real Estate heritage,” says Hensley. “But I did want to grow the business and propel it forward. The ERA Powered option resonated with me because I could keep our legacy while harnessing the power of a global network rich with technological innovations and relocation business opportunities. It’s helping me with my recruiting efforts too; we have more to offer.”
