Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Davis.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I came to Miami for college 12 years ago from Bethany Beach, Delaware and never left. For the last 6 years, I’ve been working in real estate. I love everything about Miami: the colors, the people, and all the craziness. Also lucky enough to say that I LOVE my career. However, it’s been quite the journey getting to this point!
I went to college for Public Relations. When I got out of school, I couldn’t get a job in Public Relations because I had no experience in Public Relations. 😂 So for the next 2 years I had every job possible, from catering to bartending (I was THE worst bartender on the face of the planet), to freelance “Public Relations” with clients I found on Craigslist to selling coupon books from business to business (don’t remember the specifics of this one, but I do know that I did this for a week or so, haha.) My most stable job was working as a front desk concierge at high-end buildings in Miami Beach.
One of the buildings I worked at was the Continuum. If you are familiar with Miami Real Estate, you know this building. It’s the creme dela creme… the best of the best… and one of the most expensive. While working there I saw so many 20-something realtors pulling up in their range rovers, showing these multi-million dollar condos. I remember wanting to be them. I thought how cool it was that their “job” was to show beautiful apartments AND you could tell they were making prettttty good money doing it.
I started studying for my Real Estate license right there at the front desk.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
For the first few years I had my real estate license, I worked as an assistant for two different top producing agents. They were VERY demanding but I definitely learned so much working alongside of them. Not only did I run their business, but I walked their dogs… I picked up their prescriptions and sometimes even did their grocery shopping…. *BARF.* It was NOT a ’40-hour a week job.
I was working long hours and always had more than 1 job at once. There were times I would work a day shift bartending and then an overnight shift front desk. I worked a 24 hour shift for about a year. I worked every holiday, every week-end… And still had very little money to get by. Miami is an expensive city to live in but I knew I didn’t want to leave this beautiful place.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am (finally) FULL TIME in real estate with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty… working for 100% commission with my own clients! I couldn’t be happier with how my business and brand has turned out. I can honestly say, HARD WORK does pay off!
I specialize in unique properties (lofts, historic, art deco, anything different) and unique marketing. I’m also known for giving a bottle of champagne at closing or at a rental move-in. I don’t think finding a new home or selling a property needs to be so ‘stiff.’ If anything, it needs to be celebrated. It’s an exciting time for everyone involved. Most agents treat you as a transaction. My clients become friends and we embrace the journey.
I love to negotiate and my clients love that about me. I will get them a deal without them even asking for it. I’m also quite competitive which is a really good thing in sales, ha. I may be 5’1 and blonde, but trust me – I’m a tough cookie. You don’t get this far in this cut-throat business, in this flashy city without having tough skin.
I definitely think my marketing sets me apart from other agents. Some real estate agents send postcards in snail mail… and well — I just spray-painted my IG handle throughout Wynwood 🤷♀️ I’m also big into social media which I think a lot of agents just aren’t getting. I love marketing and finding creative ways to sell. No one likes a salesy-salesperson.
I owe a big part of my success to Elliot Machado OF THE BRICKELL SCOOP who has been the BEST mentor and role model. I think it’s really important for everyone to have someone like this to look up to. Without him I would not be where I am today.
What were you like growing up?
As a kid, I was a total tomboy. You could find me in the woods, playing in tree forts… riding bikes and skateboards.
My mom used to tell me, “Every day can’t be a party with a parade going through it.” and I would ask her why not? I expected every single day to be a good time. And I was confused how everyone else saw life so differently.
I was never good with authority or people telling me what to do. I actually got in trouble quite a bit in high school. I was a little rebel (still am.)
At 16, I had two jobs because I thought it was fun 🤷♀️ I worked at a surf shop AND dippin’ dots (and I had zero bills to pay. I literally just enjoyed it.) I used to change the names of the dippin’ dots flavors to make them sell faster. Nope, not lemon… how about ‘Fresh Squeezed Lemonade’. I worked my way up at the surf shop until I was a manager. I made the schedule… I traveled to surf expos and bought the women’s clothes for the shop. I knew then I wanted my own business. I loved calling the shots! I loved customizing every detail. And loved the reward of seeing my work succeed. To this day, this is nothing more rewarding to me than that.
In college, I was the life of the party. I think I went out 6 nights a week. Don’t worry, I still made it to class 😛
Contact Info:
- Address: 1000 Brickell Avenue, Suite 500
Miami FL 33131 - Website: https://www.onesothebysrealty.com/associates/ashleydavis/
- Phone: 305-389-5161
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleydmiami/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleydavisrealtor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleydavisre
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