We caught up with our friend and Chester Mom of two, Danielle Hilliker of Real Estate Attaché, part of KW Metropolitan to talk Real Estate, why it’s important to use a local agent and her advice for fellow Mom Entrepreneurs. Read our interview below and be sure to reach out to Danielle if you are looking to move into (or out of!) the Morris County Area.
How did you get involved in Real Estate?
The summer of 2013, I purchased my first home and was struggling to find a clear career direction. Academically I have a degree in Interior Design and Marketing. I had worked as a retail interior designer, event planner, and in photo marketing sales. I have always been an entrepreneur, coming from a family of business owners. I knew I wanted to work for myself, use my creativity, and have flexibility in my schedule. Im a people person, connecting with others is what I do! Real Estate incorporates everything I love. I am blessed to enjoy what I do! After a successful first year as a Realtor, I decided to open my own Real Estate Brokerage. My Real Estate career has been in many ways backwards. I owned and grew an independent brand for almost 5 years, with almost 30 agents. The company was my baby, before having my babies.
Becoming a mom changed everything. My priorities shifted and it was becoming exhausting wearing so many hats. I sold to my business partner December 2019, a few months before covid and welcoming my second boy. Since then I have continued to find my path, as a newly single mom in 2021, and now as a full time small business owner of Attaché, where Real Estate meets consulting. Consulting with buyers, homeowners, and builders in design, marketing, and construction to create a full service real estate experience.
Why is it important for people to work with a Real Estate Agent?
Working with a Realtor is extremely important for Buyers and Sellers! Technology and websites like Zillow allow people to feel they can do it on their own, but nothing will ever replace working with an expert.
Buyers benefits: Working with a buyers agent is FREE, professional representation experienced in the buying process, relationships with recommended vendors, negotiation skills, market knowledge, community experts. Navigating the ever changing real estate market is done best by a Realtor who is involved on a daily basis.
Sellers benefits: Market knowledge, marketing capabilities, professional representation experienced in the selling process, negotiation skills, community expert. Selling more than just a home, selling the life style and managing your best ROI.
What sets you apart from other Real Estate Agents?
My passion for people & person-ability
Creativity
Tenacity
Marketing Savvy
Innate Sales skills
Special skills:
Home Staging
Interior Design
Marketing
New construction
Investment properties
How do you balance your work and Mom Life?
Is there such a thing as “balance”? 🙂 Let me know how to find it. LOL
I do my BEST, that is all any of us can do. Some days are better than others! I try to give myself some grace. The ways I try to keep the balance is to make sure I am taking “me time” when I can. I enjoy running, working out, scheduling time with friends, and organizing Momvent Socials!
Mama’s need support, and I look for it in every way I can. I am fortunate to have my parents currently living with me, and family/friends close by. My “flexible” schedule, also means I work a lot of odd times, evenings and weekends. I am a big planner, having a plan makes me feel at ease, even if I am going from one thing to another.
If you could give one tip to fellow Mom Entrepreneurs what would it be?
First of all, being a mom is working full time, and then adding in owning a business, you become super woman! A piece of advice I tell myself often is to be patient and things will happen with time. My children are my priority, which means I don’t have a lot of TIME. Prioritize your goals and make them realistic, lean on others for support as you grow.
This article was done in partnership with Danielle Hilliker, be sure to follow her on social media below:
