Anne Kennedy is Fearless Austin Woman Magazine July 2006 By Erin Prather Photo by Chris Diaz of Shutterbug Studios
Anne Kennedy received a bright reception when she came to Austin at the end of 2001. It was New Year’s Eve and Kennedy, her husband, and two sons drove in just as fireworks began exploding. “My husband was born in Corpus Christi and is a UT graduate. He has family here and we often discussed moving to Austin. We were driving in from California when the fireworks went off. We joked it was a nice welcome to the city,” she recalled.
Kennedy has always had good feelings about Austin, and following her instincts has served her career well - starting when she first decided to pursue an architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. She went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley, where she was introduced to the world of real estate. “I graduated in 1991. That year the California real estate market, particularly commercial in the northern Bay Area, was in a real slump; it was hard to sell a commercial building. I wanted to go into commercial real estate, but there were no jobs.”
Kennedy’s father, a physician, suggested she look into healthcare consulting. She utilized skills learned during her MBA to negotiate contracts and manage physician networks for two healthcare companies over the next eight years. Although successful in her endeavors, Kennedy never lost her strong attraction to real estate.
She left healthcare in 2000 when her husband, a consultant for the telecom industry, accepted a position in Germany. Although not employed while abroad, Kennedy built an amazing network that continues today. She stresses the importance of networking, especially since no one knows where it will take them, and she credits this skill with being an essential part to her success.
After two years abroad, Kennedy and family elected to return stateside and make the move to Austin. It took just one look for her to realize the real estate opportunities that existed in the city. “I earned my real estate license quickly and soon moved my business over to Keller Williams Realty,” she said. “They are a phenomenal organization in terms of helping realtors grow their business. I developed a practice at Keller Williams Realty Southwest Market Center, and became interested in investing in real estate. Now 20 to 25% of my business is working with real estate investors as well as being an active investor myself.”
Kennedy believes not being a native to Austin was beneficial. Being new to the city caused her to deliberately go out, network, and grow business relationships. “I hired a business coach when first starting. One thing he stressed was the importance of business to business relationships. By having a great network, I can refer clients to businesses that can provide the services they need. I also tend to get higher quality referrals through people I’ve built that type of relationship with.”
She chuckled when asked if she had any fears about starting her own business. She maintains she’s pretty fearless and not afraid to start something new. “Fear holds people back, but it’s not something that has limited me. I tend to organize my life so that when I make change I set myself up to succeed. With real estate I had the right training, background and money in the bank for the first six months. It takes any business at least six months to make its first sale and then a year before it really starts to generate income. I’ve always tried to ensure I not only start on the right path, but am able to continue on it.”
Kennedy notes that her architecture degree has been extremely beneficial to her current career and continues to maintain her architect’s license. “There are many advantages to having an architectural background. I understand buildings and can visualize their potential. I will tell my clients, ‘Don’t buy this property or don’t pay this price for it,’ because I understand the time and cost components required to achieve their goals. It’s their decision in the end, but I am my client’s fiduciary and owe it to them to be straightforward.”
In May, Kennedy’s elder son graduated from high school while her younger will soon enter the seventh grade. She readily admits that balancing career and family is a challenge and encourages other professionals to surround themselves with positive people.
“Always have folks around who support what you’re doing because, no matter what you try, you’ll have ups and downs. My husband has always been 100% supportive and both he and my boys are very self-sufficient. But it can be difficult. At the office I’ve hired very talented and hardworking women and together we are a team. Amy Hart earned her license in December while Jessica Smith is currently pursuing hers. I love encouraging young women to enter this business and helping make sure they succeed.”
Kennedy currently is a member of the Keller Williams Realty Agent Leadership Council and a teacher of real estate investor classes. She emphasizes that her first business goal is to be her clients’ fiduciary and real estate advisor. Secondly, she strives to help people learn how to build financial wealth through home ownership or investment in rental properties.
“I truly believe real estate investing is the most effective way for the vast majority of Americans to build financial wealth. This especially applies to singles; buying property is one of the best things they can do.”
As for advice for other professionals, Kennedy had these words.
“An essential part of any business relationship is doing what you say you’re going to do. When people ask about the keys to my success, I always mention that I do what I say I’m going to do. It’s that basic and applies to every career because there are many people who never learn to follow through.”
Anne Kennedy 512.439.7562 http://annekennedy.yourkwagent.com/home
