Nancy Harris, Atlanta's Multi-Talented Trailblazer: A Builder, Developer, Contractor, and Real Estate Extraordinaire
Interviewed By Maryan Aiken
“Learn how to say no to the shiny objects from those looking to derail your vision. Stay focused and believe in your mission.”
nancy harris. builder. developer. contractor. real estate. founder. harris park homes
Photography by Ainsley May
Nancy Harris
Builder. Developer. Contractor. Founder
Harris Park Homes
www.harrisparkhomes.com
@nancythedreambuilder (Instagram), @harrisparkhomes (Facebook) @princessofdemo (Twitter)
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ABOUT NANCY HARRIS
Discover the Inspiring Journey of an Atlanta Trailblazer in Real Estate. Delve into the captivating story of Nancy Harris, a multifaceted entrepreneur who's reshaping Atlanta's real estate landscape. Explore her entrepreneurial evolution, fueled by a passion for creating, developing, and marketing homes. Gain insights into her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, the pivotal role of mentorship, and her strategies for navigating market dynamics. Experience her commitment to continuous learning and innovation, propelling her to success in a rapidly evolving industry.
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Q: What inspired you to embark on your entrepreneurial journey and how has that evolved over time?
To me, being an entrepreneur is a vocation borne out of need not want. I have been driven to create and sell since I was a young child and that businessperson has grown and evolved over time. I have stayed with the same theme throughout my working life, with a focus on home design and sales. At the heart of entrepreneurship is the basic to create, develop, market and sell cycle. What is your product? How will it be presented and who is your customer? You will have a physical product, or a service and you will sell it…rinse and repeat. The one who is the creator and head of the task is the entrepreneur by default. The title entrepreneur comes only with results.
You have to find your unique value proposition and with your accomplishment, and then you will gain the title. I find great fulfillment in this process and I can’t imagine taking any other path.
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Photography by Ainsley May
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HARRIS PARK HOMES
A home is a giant puzzle with each piece strategically placed for the people who live there to use and admire every day. A place created for gatherings and down time, work and play, and all the ebbs and flows of your life.
www.harrisparkhomes.com
@nancythedreambuilder (Instagram), @harrisparkhomes (Facebook) @princessofdemo (Twitter)
Photography by Ainsley May
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RYAN SERHANT
Ryan Serhant is a real estate broker, CEO, and founder of SERHANT., a vertically-integrated mega brokerage comprising an in-house film studio, education arm, marketing division, and technology platform. He's also a bestselling author, producer, and star of Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York and Sell It Like Serhant.
Photography by Ainsley May
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs aiming for similar levels of success?
Learn how to say no to the shiny objects from those looking to derail your vision. Stay focused and believe in your mission. There will always be the “side show” characters who think they know better than you. One of my favorite sayings is “Don’t take advice from anyone you wouldn’t trade places with.” Stay on your task. If I heard one more time from my framing contractor, “You know how I would do it…” Now he comes to me for advice.
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Q: What role has mentorship played in your journey to becoming a trailblazer in your industry?
I believe that entrepreneurs and trailblazers have a duty to share their experience to help others. I have always hoped that the work I have done will inspire and open doors for newcomers to the real estate and building industry, especially women. I often share the story of registering my new contractor’s license with our local municipality and having the woman behind the desk look at me and say with excitement, “I have never registered a woman contractor here!” What a defining moment for me! I knew it was a unique path for me to take, but I never once questioned my choice. I often mentor new realtors and teach classes when I can about what steps they can take to achieve their own success. I definitely have learned as much or more from my students as they have learned from me. Mentoring is an essential responsibility and leadership is essential.
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Q: How do you maintain innovation and stay ahead in a rapidly changing market landscape?
As with any “market”, the Real Estate world is in a constant state of flux. It is one of the hottest topics in the media and at cocktail parties. I am constantly and consistently listening to podcasts, reading articles, and studying statistics about my industry. It is essential that I have the most up to date information to create a relevant product at the right price so that my products are market-ready and customers are informed. One of the most difficult aspects of building a residential development is that you often start the project in one market and end up in another so it is important to be able to spot ongoing trends in home building, design, and pricing.
Photography by Ainsley May
Q: What strategies do you employ to balance risk-taking with calculated decision making in your ventures?
I love this question! I can spot a great Real Estate investor so quickly by the way they process information and make decisions. The way I look at it is that everything in life carries some level of risk no matter what. The ability to handle the stress of taking risks is relative, so there are many different kinds of investing for all risk tolerances. Take out a CD from your bank as a lower risk option, or give a builder like me $100,000 for a project to return with 10-12% interest at the finish line. I know I can be a risk taker in some people’s eyes, but I’m relying on myself to deliver results and I am confident that I’m a safe bet! I have enough experience (AKA made enough mistakes) that I rely on my instincts to decide if a risk is worth taking. Sometimes the loss comes from the hesitation, so if it seems right, the rough numbers work, and my crews are available, I’m in! If I have 70% of the information I need and it seems feasible, I’ll go for it! If you need to have 100% of the information and proof that it’s a sure thing, I bet you have missed the opportunity!
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Q: What role has continuous learning played in your trailblazing journey?
Nobody likes a know it all. You can’t and should never “know it all”. I constantly seek out knowledge. I want to know what others are doing to be successful. It’s an obsession! There is a saying that is “Always be closing”, well, I prefer” Always be learning” I had to learn a lot to get my Real Estate license and we are required to have around 10 hours a year of continuing education so obviously our industry values ongoing learning. I had to take classes and read an enormous amount of information to pass my Contractor’s License Exam. And currently I’m taking classes to get my Real Estate license in other states so I can have options for where to practice in the years to come. I listen to different TED talks about a variety of subjects and have a membership with Master Class and have taken classes from dog training to floral arranging to FBI negotiating tactics.
Q: How do you infuse your brand with authenticity and connect with your audience on a deeper level?
"Comparison is the thief of joy" is one of my favorite sayings and a very awesome therapist once said to me, "What someone thinks about you is none of your business". These sayings have helped me in times of insecurity and doubt. I stay true to myself and my brand by serving my clients in the most honest and authentic way. My job is to help my clients understand the choices ahead of them, weigh the pros and cons of each situation, and ultimately support their goals by empowering them to make their own decisions. I ask a lot of questions, not to be nosy but to help serve them at the highest level. My connection with my audience and brand has been built on qualities like trust and empathy and deliver truth and success.
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Q: How do you envision the future of your industry and what steps are you taking to stay ahead of the curve?
We are at the mercy of the market in Real Estate. Whether I am building or renovating one house or twelve, or serving my home buyers and sellers, it is important for me to stay ahead of the news that my clients are reading and hearing. There has been talk for years about how Real Estate agents will become obsolete with the "ibuyers" and automated systems that are always hot topics. It's been interesting to watch those businesses try and fail over the years, because the fact remains that a home has just as many emotional components as it does financial, if not more. I want to know what is relevant to my clients in any given market and potential markets to come, so they can make informed decisions with their representative who cares about the value and future of their investment.
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