Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Fella.
Hi Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Kayla, and this is my first year as a full-time realtor. I am with Keller Williams at the Parks and work on a team called The Nickley Group. We are the number one Keller Williams in Florida and number 17 in the country (it’s amazing for such a small team, and I am so proud to be a part of it). I received my license in December 2019, after leaving the legal field. I was in criminal defense for a firm here in downtown Orlando for 4 1/2 years. When I finally became licensed, I was so intimidated by not having an income to rely on while building a database of buyers. I decided to try out the administration side of real estate, which is how I found The Nickley Group. I worked for eight months as Tiss Morrell’s personal assistant and completely built out the role of realtor partnerships on our team. I then transitioned to activating my license and being a solo agent on my team in September 2020. I was completely thrown into the real estate world in the middle of 2020, which was the height of Covid-19. I have an amazing support system here on my team to push me forward. In my first year as a Realtor (Sept.-Sept.) I closed out 16 homes, and I have a goal to close out 30 for my second year!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all! After graduating college and starting a career as a paralegal, I had no idea I would soon turn everything upside down and begin my journey as a realtor. I began real estate school with no current job, no idea if it would work out, and no idea where to even start. I thankfully graduated and passed my state exam on the first try, but I became a realtor in December 2019… 3 months before a worldwide pandemic! Thankfully, after all the ups and downs of figuring out how to be a realtor, I have mastered this career in one of the hardest markets we have seen in seven years. I often think, “would I have made it if everything in my life and the world wasn’t sink or swim?”
As you know, we’re big fans of The Nickley Group. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
The Nickley Group is a part of Keller Williams at the Parks brokerage here in Orlando. We are the number one team in Keller Williams in Florida and number 17 in the country. Our team is highly focused on creating a world-class experience for our clients. What sets our team apart from others is how we make sure once the transaction is over, we continue the relationships we formed with our clients. I am a full-time realtor and specialize in first-time home buyers. My goal when connecting with first-time buyers is to make sure they know every step of the process, feel comfortable and educated through every step of the way. I remember when I was first getting into real estate, I felt completely in the dark. I made a pack to myself to make sure my home buyers never feel that way! This can be a stressful process and a lot of money, so I want all of my buyers to know what the next step is and where we are in the process every step of the way.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In this profession, I absolutely recommend finding a mentor or a team that is as close as we are here at The Nickley Group. I, of course, have my team, but I also have a mentor within my team. She has been a huge rock and support system for me. Knowing I have someone that has been through the same bumps in a transaction and can give me unlimited advice has been a saving grace. In real estate, you’re going to have questions, you’re going to make a mistake, so having a team or a mentor that you can fall back on and they can pick you back up is truly a do or die factor in this business.
Contact Info:
- Email: Kayla@thenickleygroup.com
- Website: Kayla.vieworlandohouses.com
