Meet Tia Williams | Real Estate Agent

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

Hi Tia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I was 16 years old, I took my annual trip to Arizona to see some family members. During that trip I remember my aunt taking my mom and I to tour some new construction model homes, and I was such in awe of how beautiful these homes were! And right at that moment, I thought “How can I make this a career?”. At the time I had no clue what a real estate agent was and what they do but once I found out they tour homes for a living, I was like that’s it, that is what I want to do! Once senior year came I had this whole idea of going to college, because, at the time, society taught only about the “traditional route” to success, so much so that the following year I went back to Arizona after getting accepted to ASU and toured the campus and met my roommate! Well, that dream was short-lived due to the cost of tuition and it left me in a state of really being unsure what my next step of life would be after graduation. During this time I was babysitting for this beautiful family and instead of watching Disney+ with their 2 little girls, I would be watching HGTV and home shows on Netflix. After sharing with Kenny & Patrice, the parents, (shout out to you guys!) that I wanted to be a Realtor & Interior Designer they connected me with this guy they knew who was looking for a mentee in real estate! I was super excited and really knew God was making a way to fulfill my desires. Andre became my mentor shortly after and guided me through the journey of becoming a Realtor at the age of 18! Starting my career immediately after high school was not on my bingo card but when God opens up doors & you take the leap of faith and walk through it. That’s exactly what I did! 5 years later, I am thriving in both fields that I truly have a passion for!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a Realtor, I am super passionate about helping people build generational wealth. For most people, buying a home will be their most expensive purchase and it should be handled with care! I love that I can be involved in families’ journeys to homeownership. It is so powerful! I educate my clients throughout the entire process & ensure they are comfortable with every decision I recommend.

This field is 100% not easy. I am more than just a real estate agent for my clients, I am their emotional support, their problem solver, their advocator, and the list goes on! You may have things happening in your personal life but still have to make sure you are showing up for your clients because that is the job! This is not a 9-5 pm career, some days it’s a 7am-8pm job and that can be tiring. But in those moments, you have to remember your “why”! My why is bigger than me! It’s helping build generational wealth, especially in the Black community! It energizes me!

I became a Realtor at 18 years old. At 18 you are still a child, figuring out life now out of high school. Figuring out what you want your next 10 years to look like that. Add a whole career on top of that and you dang near sound crazy! I knew this was the path God had for me & I was excited for it! I was the only person in my graduating class who started their career right after graduation. While my friends were going away for college, I was going to real estate school. That journey did feel lonesome because I didn’t have anyone who understood that challenge. I shared my progress from announcing I was starting real estate school to passing my state exam (that took me 5x to pass, might I add) on Instagram. The more I shared, the more I learned my step out on faith inspired so many people! People in all age ranges and the support I got was the light to my fume. If not anything, that taught me that there are so many people in fear of taking risks. Fear of doing things out of order and going for their dreams! Well, I feel that what God has called me to do. Be a vessel and an example that all God requires is your “yes”. Once you give him that, he will do the rest.

Aside of being a Realtor servicing Metro-Detroit, I am also a Junior Interior for Mia Johnson Interior Home. An answered prayer to say the least! To be able to be in both of my dream careers at a young age is such a blessing I don’t take lightly. If I can tell the world about me and what I’ve done, I would say make sure your “why” is bigger than yourself, what is going to be the reason you wake up every day and go after your dreams? Take chances on yourself, you owe yourself that!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oooo Detroit is such a vibe! As a Detroit Native, the first place I’m taking a friend is the River Walk. I am a water lover and the views of the Detroit River connected to Canada is so beautiful! Next, we’re going to get some good eats nearby! There are so many food gems in the city! Depending on if my friend is in a bougie mood, we would be going to Besa but if they are down for an adventure, we are definitely going to a Nicky D’s Coney Island! Then of course we would do some sightseeing at the DIA, Campus Martius Park, and the Handle Bar! And what’s a trip without shopping?! There’s so much to do in Detroit. It will forever have my heart!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out Andre, my mentor, who took me under his wing at 18 years old and taught me what perseverance and taking chances look like. He saw something in me and took a chance on me! Without him, I’m sure I would be nowhere close to as successful in real estate. Shout out to you Andre & the A1 Select Realty Team!

Instagram: _tiasellshomes

Linkedin: Tia Williams

Facebook: Tia Sells Homes

Youtube: @TiaShalese

Image Credits
@Jaiiwave