RTDM: Rebecca Cullen
Rebecca Cullen
Owner Cullen & Company with Keller Williams Realty
Fort Mill, SC
We want to get to know you! Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?
I am originally from a middle class family in New Jersey and was fortunate to be provided any opportunity I desired as a child and teenager. I grew up playing softball on a competitive level and most of my high school memories are around those games, teammates and travels. I decided to attend University of South Carolina, twelve hours from home, only knowing less than a handful of people from my hometown that attended, and literally started completely from scratch making friends (some of those who I met within the first week of school are my best friends today). I was a little bit of an over achiever going through school and knew EXACTLY what I wanted to be when I "grew up". I majored in Hospitality, specifically in Club Management and was hired right out of school to join a top Country Club in Greensboro, NC. Knowing that I didn't want to be in Greensboro and wanted to be in Charlotte, I was hired by Charlotte Country Club and under the direction of top Country Club Executive, Damon DiOrio, my story of success began. After leaving Charlotte Country Club and helping to build a new Special Event business at Foundation For The Carolinas, the Charlotte region's community foundation in 2011, I started to recognize what it would take to build a business from ground zero. Under the direction from powerful, influential Charlotte leaders, Michael Marsicano and Laura Smith, I began to understand how philanthropy and business are truly in alignment. My "big why" is to provide massive opportunity to all of the people I care deeply about. I have won awards, gained national recognition in multiple industries, and served so many families through my two careers. I am building wealth and a great future for my kids and our family. Going from the safety net of a salaried position to a full entrepreneurial gig in which I own three of my own profitable businesses has been the smartest decision of my life.
How do you define success?
Living through purpose and helping others achieve their dreams
What did it take to make your dream happen and when did you know you had arrived?
I wouldn't say that I have "arrived", yet. I have worked hard my entire adult life to do the things that I desire. I bought my first house at the age of 23 and became an investor at the age of 25. I literally just listened to those that walked before me and learned from their mistakes.
What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!
After a year of incredible transition with my real estate career, I was awarded the 2018 Eagle Award for my Keller Williams Fort Mill office. An Eagle is defined as the agent who possesses the highest qualities: leadership through service, courage through adversity, and integrity in all things. I feel blessed to be acknowledged by my peers.
What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?
My greatest fear in my career has been feeling like I am not worthy of the blessings I have. I am young and my career began straight out of college. I used to battle objections having to do with my age and experience. My turning point was in 2016 when I just put my head down and went to work. My focus was on building my business, finding investment opportunities, and providing for my family. Once I got super clear on my goals, there was no one stopping me from achieving the next level.
What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?
I would suggest younger me to not be naive and seek first to understand.
How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?
I remember WHY I do what I do. When I am very clear and focused on my goals and the outcome I intend to have, the overwhelm goes away.
Tell us a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise or served you in a surprising way.
Any setback that I have experienced in my life has placed me on track to where I am today. I know it sounds very cliche, yet, it is completely true. When I was going through the sad or challenging days and thought nothing would ever get better, I recognized my strengths through it and powered through to the other side.
What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!
My guilty pleasure is a bag of peanut M&Ms and a glass of champagne.
What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?
Buying a vacation home at Holden Beach, North Carolina that literally pays for itself when it is rented during the season. Check out @OysterShellCottage on Facebook for more details on our property!
What’s MOST important to you right now?
Right now, my health is most important to me. My body is a vessel and if I am not feeling great and healthy, all of the other great work I am doing does not matter. This is a shift that I have learned to make after three years of not making my health a priority.
Share 1-2 books you've given as gifts:
High Performance Habits and Millionaire Real Estate Agent
What have you learned to say no to?
Everything that does not align with my goals and Big Why.
What's something most people would never guess about you?
I love a good game of poker - the rush of it is one of my favorite feelings.
Follow Rebecca:
803.619.0336
www.beanopenerofdoors.com
Facebook: @RebeccaCullenRealEstate
Instagram @Be_An_Opener_Of_Doors
