4 minute read
April 2021 | Rising Star | Stephany Hernandez
Stephany Hernandez finds fulfillment and purpose in real estate
By Jill Clair Gentry
Photography by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
Stephany Hernandez started undergrad with the intent of becoming a veterinarian. She changed course and became a certified surgical technologist and safety coordinator for an orthopedic clinic. Then, she rose in the ranks at Mary Kay Cosmetics and built a successful business.
“One day, I was shopping at Home Goods after we had just moved to Mobile, and I met Leslie Davis,” Stephany says. “I told her I liked her lipstick, and the next thing I knew, we were having coffee and she was telling me about real estate.”
“What I’m meant to do”
Leslie is a veteran agent with KellerWilliams and shared her passion for real estate with Stephany. Something clicked, and Stephany decided to give real estate a try.
“People come into your path for a reason—meeting Leslie was a total God thing,” she says. “I had worked in several different careers and always enjoyed my work, but never felt truly fulfilled. I knew almost immediately that real estate was it for me. For the first time in almost 36 years, I am convinced this is what I’m meant to do long term.”
In 2018, Stephany joined Leslie Davis and became the Lead Buyer Specialist for the Key Performance Team at Keller Williams Mobile. Within six months, she stepped down from her role at Mary Kay Cosmetics.
“It was a really scary decision to make,” she says. “I had free cars from Mary Kay. I had to accept that I would have to give that up. My life had revolved around Mary Kay morning, noon and night. But soon as I made that decision, my real estate business exploded.”
In 2020, Stephany closed $6.89 million in sales volume and was included in Keller Williams’ top 20 agents for the Mobile market center. And she works exclusively with buyers.
Working with buyers
“I love working with buyers,” Stephany says. “Growing up, we moved every two years for my dad’s job. I know what it’s like to move, and I can really empathize with all that goes along with moving. It’s not just about the process of buying a house. I want to help them find movers, people to do repairs, activities for their kids.” Taking the time to sit down and truly listen to buyers is one of Stephany’s core values.
“You have to take yourself out of the equation when you’re working with buyers,” she says. “You have to listen to their motivation for moving, their passions, what environment they like to be in. You have to find what truly fits their needs. I always strive to provide a more well-rounded service than just, ‘Hey, here’s a house; let’s put in an offer.’ We discuss their hobbies, schools for their kids—everything. It’s been so personally fulfilling for me to help people find their dream home and start the next chapter in their lives.”
Agent Leadership Council
In addition to serving her clients, Stephany enjoys participating in Keller Williams’ Agent Leadership Council. “Even though I’m a new agent, I still love helping people who are newer than me,” Stephany says. “At Mary Kay, I mentored other women and helped them build their careers, and that’s translated beautifully into my real estate business. I have several mentees, both male and female.”
For the past two years, Stephany has served as Growth Chair for the Mobile market center’s ALC. She educates other agents about Keller Williams’ profit share program.
“Keller Williams has created a program that shares additional profits with agents who bring in new, productive agents to say thank you for sharing and for growing our market,” she says. “It’s an incredible opportunity to earn passive income. We call it the 401-KW.” Keller Williams has been a great fit for Stephany, and as a wife and mother, she especially appreciates the company’s focus on healthy priorities and family.
“It’s about working, but it’s also being with family,” she says. “I keep getting continual affirmations from God that I’m on the right track. My son can go with me to show houses, and he’s so excited about it with me. Real estate has helped me grow into who I’m supposed to be, and it’s molded me into a much happier individual.”
Stephany and her husband Daniel, who is an Associate Veterinarian and Practice Manager at Tillman’s Corner Veterinary Hospital, live in West Mobile with their 4-year-old son, Lexton.
“My family is so supportive,” Stephany says. “Lexton always says, ‘My daddy saves animals, and my mommy buys houses for people.’ And Daniel is my biggest supporter. No matter what direction I have gone in my career, he has always been right there with me cheering me on.”