Shelia Gasson is a broker-associate with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.

What was your first job in the realty industry? I became a Realtor at Keyes Miami Beach around the time the market bottomed, so I immediately hired a coach to make sure I was successful in this industry. I came from a sales background of business to business and had to learn business to consumer, which is more emotionally driven. I soon switched over to Coldwell Banker for the international exposure.

Where did you grow up? Tompkinsville, Kentucky.

What is your favorite free-time activity? I enjoy hiking and just getting out there and experiencing the beauty of what South Florida has to offer. It’s amazing how many residents have never been to the Everglades or our national parks. I also love to travel and cruise. It’s fun to take a weekend cruise and come back refreshed for the work week.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Take a walk along the bay with my husband and my bulldog Izzy or just light the candles, play relaxing music and have a vodka soda.

Growing up, what did you want to be? I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Kentucky University and thought I wanted to be a cost accountant, but I became bored with the numbers, even though I was good at it. I decided my senior year to use that as my steppingstone for my career in international trade. As a kid I wanted to be a dancer; I was always dancing and still love it.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Ayn Rand because she inspires people to be better,  to push yourself so that you are living for a reason, and to find your purpose while living in harmony with others.

Where is your favorite place to hang out? Mary Brickell Village or the beach. I love that I can walk everywhere in Brickell.

What do you love most about the industry? The connections and friendships made with customers and other agents. I have made many wonderful friendships worldwide over the years.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? Remain educated, know the trends both in “how’s the market” and “how to market.” I am a firm believer in education and do not stop with the minimum continuing education credits required.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Working with fellow agents that do not seem to have a calendar (“text me tomorrow to remind me”) or when a customer doesn’t want to take the advice and then later calls to say, “I should have listened to you back then.”

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I am just always out getting to know people and receive many referrals from friends, past clients and through social media. I attend a lot of sporting events and make friends while out; that leads to business. I attend conferences and new construction events.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? Giving up a comfortable position as an employee to start my own business as an agent in a down market.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? Hug Your Customers.

What is your favorite restaurant? In Brickell, I love Edge Steakhouse at the Four Seasons, Zuma at Epic, and Doraku. On the beach, I like Joe’s Stone Crab and Villa Azur. There are just too many wonderful locations!

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Miami? Vizcaya now and One Thousand Museum will be very impressive when built.

What kind of car do you drive? 2013 Range Rover Evoque.

Smartphone or paper? Smartphone – I rarely ever use paper. Evernote is my notebook on my phone.

What is your favorite city after Miami? New York.

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Be educated, professional, polite and talk to people.

What’s your favorite Real Estate iPhone/Android app? Tough one – Evernote, Dropbox and Docusign; I can’t live without any of them.

What are your favorite accounts to follow on Twitter? Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, South Florida Business Journal and Miami Heat.

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