Entrepreneurial Spotlight: Girl Powered Real Estate
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Amie Chilson has been rocking the real estate market ever since 2004, when she completed a record-setting 21 transactions in her first year with Keller Williams Realty in Campbell, Calif. Now 28, Chilson has already purchased three properties on her own and founded Girl Powered Real Estate. The organization empowers single women to buy their first home through seminars on home buying and investments, as well as strategic partnerships with financial services personnel. Chilson was also among the 2006 recipients of The Real Hot 100, a grassroots media project that recognizes the positive contributions of women around the country. WORKS caught up with Amie to find out what ignites her passion.
When you were young, what did you think you would do professionally?
Phase 1: a movie star and singer (my, how that has changed!). Phase 2: news anchor for CNBC. Phase 3: (late teens and early 20s) a professional role that could utilize all my strengths and build something truly inspirational. I didn’t know what that was until age 28.
How did you come up with the idea for Girl Powered Real Estate?
Knowing there was a need for this type of information, I paired my desire to see women succeed with plenty of really tough lessons in love and money, divorce, etc.
What steps did you take to turn the idea into reality?
I raised over $100K in capital by asking clients and colleagues who believed in my integrity and drive—and the vision of Girl Powered, Inc.—for investments. I also earned a “street M.B.A.” I was enrolled in business school at age 25, but for all the wrong reasons: climbing the corporate ladder faster, higher pay, etc. One day, a few weeks before I started the school year, I read Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad and thought to myself, “What the heck am I doing?!” I dropped out of business school that day and vowed never to work for any company other than my own ever again. Since I valued the educational process, I used mentors, books, seminars, shadowing professionals, and plain old experience to aggressively pursue my own higher learning. Having the actual diploma in hand is not important to me anymore; I have something far greater.
What drives you each day—the “fire in your belly”?
Staying true to my purpose in this lifetime: inspiring others to live their best lives. There’s a lot of unhappiness in the world, and my mission is to make a positive impact on humanity.
What is the best investment you ever made?
I bought my first home at age 25 despite the fact that I was scared shitless. Also, the $500 black suit I bought at age 23 lasted seven years. I fainted at the price tag, but that suit ultimately took me places and more than paid for itself!
What’s your secret for completing so many real estate deals at such a young age?
Definitely my ability to read/know people, coupled with my desire to help them become homeowners/investors and have the best experience possible during the process. People are thirsty for a quality experience.
What is the hardest business decision you have ever had to make?
I had to admit that I needed to go back to the drawing board and rethink some of my strategy and direction after 12 months of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent. Firing team members is a close second.
How do you balance a business and social life?
I’m still experimenting with this balance. It’s a good thing I love being an entrepreneur! It also helps that my fiancé is a workaholic too and we have no children right now, just dogs. I really appreciate the single moms out there launching companies. They amaze me.
Night owl or early bird?
Early bird: in bed by 10 p.m. Up at 5:30 a.m. (I need at least seven hours of sleep and will not negotiate this!)
Role model for success (or inspiration)?
Like many women out there, Oprah comes to mind because of what she’s built. I admire the many “female pioneers” that have gone before us to help pave the way for women. The young girls coming up who are sharp, articulate, and know what they want out of life inspire me too.
Guilty pleasure?
I don’t feel guilt much anymore [smiles]. If I had to pick: jetting off midweek to golf, wine tasting in Napa, or lying by the pool with a beer and my phone turned off.
What is the one tech item you can’t leave home without?
My Treo.
Favorite way to spend a morning?
Get up, spend time with my pups (two Maltese/shih tzus named Willy and Gracie), make a killer cup of coffee, read, journal, and meditate for one to two hours. Eat breakfast and go for a four-mile run.
When you’re not focusing on business, what do you do to unwind?
I go running a lot. Read. Meditate. And I love red wine.
Most important quality for a successful businesswoman?
Always stay true to yourself!