Today we’d like to introduce you to Trachele Shields.
Hi Trachele, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I became a licensed Florida Realtor in 2008. At the time, I was working for a major bank and it was a conflict of interest to hold an active real estate license. When I left my position there in 2016, I was able to finally use my license. I called myself the rookie-vet because although I had been licensed for eight years, I had never sold property.
I received my first client as a referral from a friend. It was a dual transaction where I sold the client’s home and then found them a new one. That was major for me as a new agent and was the start of my real estate career. My real estate career has been unconventional. I mainly focus on residential sales, but I have dabbled in property management and commercial real estate. In the last year, I have also become a real estate and business content creator.
I have always loved real estate, but I always envisioned expanding beyond the traditional sales model. I used the experience I gained from working in finance and mortgage to build supplemental real estate-based businesses. I built businesses in property preservation and as a loan signing agent. These were great supplements to my traditional sales business. During the pandemic, I shared the story of how I did this on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Some of my videos went viral.
My story resonated with people who wanted a way to earn income from home. My content also interested people who wanted to get into real estate but did not want to become licensed. I also received inquiries from active agents who were tired of selling and wanted another way to generate income in the real estate industry. I received many requests for coaching and online training over the last year but never considered offering either until recently.
One day, when I was filming content for TikTok I realized that I was outgrowing my current space. There was so much more I wanted to create, but I was confined to the limitations of my home office. I started envisioning a way to combine real estate with content creation. That’s when idea for the Create Real Estate Wealth or C.R.E.W was formed. The idea was as simple as it sounds. We would literally create real estate wealth by investing in real estate spaces that could be used for creation. I wanted to structure C.R.E.W as more than a brand but also a movement.
I believe in the power of group economics and the concept of collaboration over competition. I wanted people to be a part of the journey so I decided to create three separate extensions of the C.R.E.W brand. Currently, the only extension that is operational is the online learning academy (C.R.E.W Academy). I decided to build this extension first due to request and demand. The Instagram handle for this extension is @learnwithcrew and at the moment we focus on teaching: Property preservation, loan signings, and short-term rental operations. We create real estate wealth through real estate-based businesses.
There are plans to launch an investment platform next year where individuals can partner with C.R.E.W to invest in content creation spaces, event spaces, etc. The idea is to partner with other creators and build something by creators for creators and to share in the equity and profits. The Instagram handle for this extension is @crewinitiatives. The last extension that is in development is a traditional real estate brokerage. More information and updates can be found on Instagram page @crewjax.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing about my journey has been smooth. I am a first-generation entrepreneur and had to learn by fire. I didn’t have a mentor or road map to guide me when I started. I made mistakes. I lost money. I wasn’t able to execute ideas properly due to a lack of funding and knowledge. When I started my real estate career, I was also working full-time and trying to sell real estate on lunch breaks, in the evenings, and on weekends.
I live with Lupus and selling real estate while not working full-time didn’t seem feasible. I continued working because I needed access to great healthcare. I was always in a state of constant exhaustion, I did not take a vacation for three years and was burnt out. I considered leaving the real estate industry and “retiring” several times because I felt like it was easier to just be an employee. I was also experiencing some success with content creation and wanted to pursue that further. Eventually, the demands of working, selling, and creating began to take their toll on me.
One day, when I was considering changing my license status to inactive, I saw a quote online that read, “If you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will be easy.” After reading that I randomly checked my inbox messages on Instagram and read the kindest message ever. It was from a woman who found me on TikTok and decided to follow me on Instagram. She wrote that she truly appreciated the content I was putting out.
She mentioned that after watching my videos and following my tips, she was able to close on a home and that she had started her loan signing business. Her message really inspired me to continue selling in addition to creating educational content.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Realtor currently affiliated with La Rosa Realty North Florida. When I started my platform, I originally made content geared towards showcasing my life as a Realtor living with Lupus. I intended to inspire and educate others diagnosed with Lupus on how they could financially support themselves with a flexible career.
Over the years, my platform has grown to include additional content centered around business and general real estate, but I still advocate for Lupus. I’ve shared my Lupus story by doing interviews with Sharecare.com. I’ve been featured on The Chronically Living Podcast and The Invisible Wave Movement. I’ve organized fundraisers for The Lupus Foundation of America and in the past dedicated a portion of all commissions earned in May (May is Lupus Awareness month) to raising awareness for Lupus.
I now refer to myself online as an Economic Educator. I call myself that because I create content centered around creating businesses that can create financial freedom in addition to preparing individuals for homeownership. The thing that sets me apart is that I truly want everyone to win. It sounds cliche but I’ve always spoken about how there is enough for everyone on my platform and never operated from a place of lack.
I freely share knowledge and resources with others. Wanting to see everyone win is part of what led me to create C.R.E.W. C.R.E.W is founded on the principle of group economics and the African proverb: ” If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is playing Monopoly. I loved the property acquisition and development associated with the game. I used to negotiate side deals with everyone playing. That was and still is my favorite board game. I guess it foreshadowed my future career.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thatgirlchele
- Facebook: thatgirlchele
- TikTok: @thatgirlchele
Image Credits
Katharina Sturecky and Sanya Dimitrovski
