Meet Lauren Swanson | REALTOR® With Keller Williams Realty

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Swanson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first decided to get my real estate license, there was not as much thought process behind it. It was more me being obedient to what was put on my heart and brave, because there were a lot of unknowns. Ultimately, my goal more than anything, was to have a flexible schedule to be with my kids more when I wanted to. My other goals were to pay off our debt, and start saving more for our future and retirement. Real Estate never crossed my mind once growing up. I actually worked at Olive Garden for 10 years from years 17 to 27 years old. I had worked a few other jobs before that in the years before. Initially I choose to work there to work my way through college in the beginning, and pay my bills. I never finished college, and I ended up never leaving. I tried the management role for a short while, but continued to wait tables there again after that too. On my journey to joy, I decided to turn in my two weeks notice in 2017 after having my second son. I felt called to stay home with them, and I ended up getting pregnant again with another baby at the end of the year. 2018 took a turn for the worst, and it was a year we would never forget. My husbands brother took his life and passed away April 2018, and not even a month later the same year, we suddenly miscarried and lost our sweet baby boy at just over 5 months along. My husband was trying to grow his woodworking business, and our marriage was experiencing attack after attack around this same time too. Life felt as though it was crumbling. I chose to lean into the Lord during this devastating year to seek peace and healing. Something he whispered to my heart several times was to “trust him, and learn something new”. Not knowing what the thing was yet, I agreed and started working on my journey towards a healthier me. I went to the gym, ate right, and lost about 40lbs over the next 4-5 months. Along the way somehow I heard about real estate investing, and getting into fix and flips, or even long term rentals. I got so excited about it, and began to read, and research like crazy. I knew we were not in a place in our lives where we could act on these dreams I had. I excitedly decided that I would just get my real estate license and learn the business from the inside sales side of things first. Especially because getting your license online was actually very affordable and seemed like a practical first step. I flew through real estate school, got licensed, and quickly my eyes were opened to a lot of realities that seemed like obstacles at first (high annual dues, broker fees, ongoing education, marketing costs, learning the business etc). But I had gotten myself this far, and I was not about to stop now, especially with two little mouths to feed. I was creative in the beginning. I donated plasma for extra money towards my first signs and marketing. Then I got pregnant again my first year in the business! That put a spin on things, and I was tired, but when I started taking action and truly cared about building amazing relationships, business started taking off. I received rookie of the year in 2019. I went into labor March of 2020 and had my third healthy son (our rainbow baby miracle). 2020 being the crazy year that it was, was still a huge success, and 2021 ended up blowing my mind. I received serval top producer recognition awards at several months throughout the year, and even received million dollar month club a few months out of the year after selling over one million in real estate in one month each time. In summary, my thought process was to go for it, and I am so glad I did! It is crazy where a little faith can take you when you just take action. I am loving my career as a REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty. Last year we paid off our all our debt finally. This year, we bought a house in Lewisville, Tx and started renting out our Denton house as our first long term investment property. Along the way our married has grown stronger, we have learned many lessons, my husband closed down his wood working business and started working for CBM construction which he loves! My boys are now 6, 4, and almost 2 years old. They are healthy and I count my blessings (every small thing) everyday.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe relationships are an art. I love living in this modern world of social media where I can express myself creatively as well. This is what I have come to love about the business. It excites me to know that this career as a REALTOR® is just my mission field to love on clients, friends, and family. I get to use my professional talents and strengths to love and protect those I work with by representing them and putting their interests above my own. I love that I can be creative and be myself. This is something that sets me apart from others because no one person can be me. My purpose in this world is clear. I was created to share joy and truth with others through relationship, have a genuine spirit of joy, and guide my clients through every obstacle while bringing peace into the chaos of every circumstance. I am finishing up my third year in the real estate industry. I have gotten to where I am professionally by building a foundation of trust, and taking action executing intentionality in relationships. This year I hit the million dollar month club (when you sell more than 1 million in real estate in one month) a few months throughout the year. I received some top producer awards from Keller Williams Realty Denton throughout 2021 too. It was not easy. The journey was hard. I overcame challenges by reminding myself of my big why. My big why was to leave a legacy for my family and kids. I reminded myself of this daily when doubt tried to creep in. I reminded myself that change and growth are slow, and are compounded over time. I took small steps by taking action one step at a time, stayed learning based, and challenged myself to learn something new daily and apply it. When I started in this industry, I was scared, overwhelmed, and I had a scarcity mindset because I had no money to invest in my business. I learned how to gain success without spending money. I used what I had. I used technology, social media, and focused on loving my sphere. When I had money, I stewarded it the best I could. One of the biggest lessons I have learned was not to limit myself. We have a narrow view of whats possible. But the reality is, the sky is the limit when you do the things you need to do. I have been able to creatively express myself, educate people about the industry, and just have a creative artistic outlet on social media. Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook have been my outlets I attribute most of my success to. I say that because people are able to get to know me on a genuine level there before they even meet me! When you are real, and work hard, people see that, and they want to work with you. @RealtorLaurenSwanson is my title across all my social media platforms. You’ll notice I especially love dancing when you watch my Tik Toks or Reels. Having fun and just being a dork brings me so much joy. You need to understand that you don’t have to be a professional dancer, funny comedian, or perfect on video to make a big impact. I am writing my story as I go, and It gets more beautiful everyday.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friends came to town and visited the area, this is how I’d show them a good time in DFW. I’d start the first day by spending a day out on the Denton, Tx Square. We lived in Denton for 6 years (2015-2021), and I started my real estate career here. We LOVE DENTON. The square there is family friendly as well as a blast for a night out on the town. My husband Ellis and I love to eat at Barley and Board. Their impressive unique menu never disappoints. Order amazing entrees like The Pork Tenderloin, The Cuban, Al Pastor, and the Chicken goat salad. We could even start the weekend off with the fabulous brunch they offer there. My favorite drink is the Opera House and my husband loves their cucumber gin smash. Enjoy a lunch on the square at Coney Island, Hoochies, or LSA and enjoy the beautiful view of the square from the rooftop view LSA has. Explore the night at city bars that offer craft beers and amazing cocktails like Miss Angeline’s, Harvest House, Pascal’s, and Eastside. Eastside offers a variety of food trucks in the back. Day two, I’ll take them over to Lewisville where I am living now. I actually grew up in Lewisville and attended LHS high school.. If you get a sushi craving over here, stop into Nori Sushi on main street. My husband and love sushi, and we have never had sushi this fresh or delicious. It is now dangerous that we live this close to it. We can spend the afternoon playing disc golf at LL Woods park which is super convenient to the neighborhood residents. The rest of the week I can take my guests places like Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, Tx, Grandscape in the Colony near frisco has lots to do, and my favorite thing may be visiting a comedy club to get in some good laughs. I have enjoyed Hyena Comedy club who have locations in places like Dallas, Tx, Fort Worth Tx, and Plano, Tx. The DFW area has so much to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh goodness, there are so many mentors who have helped me along on my journey to success. I could never sum it up with one person. My heavenly father gets my highest gratitude, as he has never left my side through every struggle and every high. I am so thankful for his peace in hard times, and provision of every blessing in my life. My husband Ellis has been a huge supporter from day one when I randomly decided to get my real estate license. He is a dreamer full of faith, and had confidence in me from day one. A support team is paramount in this business. Growing up my parents were a big part of my foundation of success. It is funny because they are not entrepreneur minded, so starting out in real estate, I actually probably freaked them out, but regardless, they have always been supportive. Today they help out with the grandkids. They eat up any time with them they can get. So they are now a huge part of my success! They pour into my 3 little boys, and allow me the flexibility to go out on appointments during the week if I need. The biggest reason I wanted to do real estate was to grow my finacial future and get out of debt. I can thank Melissa Prince for introducing Ellis and I to Dave Ramsey a few years after we were married. That made such a huge impact on our mindset when It came to money (especially because my husband and I view money so differently). It brought unity to our marriage. Chrissy Mallouf gets the REALTOR® mentor shoutout. I met her originally at my church Valley Creek in Denton. When I found out she was a REALTOR® too, she became a big supporter and encourager of mine. Turns out, she is a big time rockstar at Keller Williams Realty in Denton, Tx! As successful as she is in the business, she makes time to give back to her community and encourage new agents too. Keller Williams Realty really helped me get my feet off the ground with their world renowned training. Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller, Shift by Gary Keller, Hold forwarded by Gary Keller/ by : Jim and Linda McKissack, Atomic Habits by James Clear, and The Compound Effect are some great books that help me so much starting out ,Dora Stephans, Angie Smith, Melissa Day, Tori Wilson, Mike Osborn, Chris Mays, Kevin Andrews, Cassie Weisman, Kara Phelps, Jessie Newquist, Thomas Eaves, Amy Hinshaw, Mona Price, Matt Kern, Curt Sprabery, Jaclyn Long, Lisa Hansen, Raquelle Judge, Johanna McDaniel, Chauncey Pham, Kyle Draper, Jordan McDowell, Landon Hale, Kim Garite, Dawn Bruck, and Carol Durham, are just a handful of names of people who helped me get my start in this industry. They were my coaches, broker associate partners, let me ask questions, let me watch them work, taught classes, my encouragers, title company support, and social media inspiration. So many continue to inspire me and help me more in someway everyday. Just know, that I am so thankful for you!

Website: https://laurenswanson.kw.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtorlaurenswanson/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-swanson-174a4a185/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealtorLaurenSwanson

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmc1B9-2msD_EX1oI9eOsPQ