The Alimond Show
Welcome to The Alimond Show --join us as we share our entrepreneurial guests' stories, uncover their secrets to success, and explore the unique paths they've taken to build thriving businesses in our community.
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The Alimond Show
Tashea McDougald - From Paralegal to Leading Real Estate Teams in Sports and Entertainment Markets
Get ready to be inspired as we sit down with Tashea McDougald, a dynamic realtor who transformed her career from paralegal to leading her own team at Aston Rose Sports and Entertainment brokerage. Tashea’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication. She shares her fascinating transition fueled by a client's captivating lifestyle, traditional marketing efforts, and personal interactions that paved the way for her success in the real estate world. Discover how Tashea carved a niche in the sports and entertainment industries while still catering to a broad clientele, proving that hard work and passion can truly make dreams come true.
We also chat with a versatile agent who seamlessly balances her professional and personal life between the bustling New York and diverse DMV markets. Learn about her unique strategies for maintaining client relationships, her aspirations of establishing her own brokerage, and how she finds joy in turning clients into lifelong friends. The episode wraps up with practical insights into the current real estate market, emphasizing why both buyers and sellers should act now. With interest rates dropping to 6%, it’s a prime time to get off the fence. We leave you with a motivational mantra of "no excuses," urging you to seize the opportunities in front of you, both in real estate and beyond.
I am Tashia McDougald. I'm a realtor and I cover the DC, maryland, virginia and New York area. Yes, and I run a Tashia McDougald team. And yeah, we're at with Aston Rose Sports and Entertainment brokerage.
Speaker 2:Wow, talk to me a little bit about that Sports and Entertainment brokerage. Yes, everyone always asks that I gotta know like what. That. Sounds very different from home, I know right, so get into detail with that. I gotta know like what that sounds very different from homes.
Speaker 1:I know right, so get into detail with that. Okay. So Aston Rose Sports and Entertainment is an awesome brokerage and we are specialized in the sports industry and their entertainment industry, but we also service everyone else as well, okay.
Speaker 1:You know, so they just have that name because we specialize and we know how to give privacy, we know what kind of disclosures to have in hand. So it's just treated a little bit more fragile when we're handling our sports and entertainment clients versus our everyday clients, right? So that's what Aston Rose is about, just that exclusive part of the sports and entertainment industry.
Speaker 2:Very unique, very cool. I think that's the first like brokerage I've heard that's like that. So very cool. Kudos to you. Yes, now tell me a little bit about your background and how you got into this industry and how you got to this point.
Speaker 1:Okay, well, I've been licensed for now 14 years as a realtor.
Speaker 1:Yes, I love it. I started out as a paralegal, I was in a law firm, and then I was like one day my boss came in and it was like noon and he was just sipping on his little Starbucks drink. It's noon, I'm crazy with his files. And I just said, you know, I want that life, I want that freedom to come in at noon and not be stressed, right. And then we had a client and she was into real estate and it was just like a day of revelation. Everything was just standing out to me. I was like something is speaking to me, right, I need more. Something's happening.
Speaker 1:So she came in and she was so fly, and she would pull up in her convertible and she would be stomping in. I didn't know real estate but I was like what does she do? I just want to know what does she do? Because she came in with the diamonds and the beautiful outfit and the convertible and just happy and bright, she had an impact on you. She impacted me really well and I said what do you do? And even though I'm handling paperwork, I'm not thinking what she does as a client. So she says I'm in real estate. I said what does that mean? Right. And she was like I'm an investor. And I said, well, what does that mean? Right, and she says I buy houses, I rent them out. She said, right, and she says I buy houses, I rent them out. She said and that's what I do? And I said, oh, she said you should look into it. I said say less, right, yeah.
Speaker 1:So when she left, I Google real estate investor and a whole bunch of things came up on Google about real estate and for me, I'm looking for what stands out to me, because at that time I didn't see myself buying an apartment and owning something. At that time I was more like well, what other components are there? And I saw a real estate agent and I saw a real estate broker. And I'm always about having my own right being on top.
Speaker 1:Like while I was in a law firm, I was actually going to be an attorney because I wanted the highest of the high right. I know you can be a judge after that, but what I wanted was an attorney. So in real estate I said what's the highest? And it was being a broker. So being a broker required that I'm an agent for three years first. So I was like, okay, I'm going to be an agent and that the rest was history. I became a realtor and I worked my day job as a paralegal and did real estate side by side for seven years, and then I finally just let it go and did this full time Well.
Speaker 2:Congratulations to like following your dreams and hustling. You know, I guess where you want to be.
Speaker 1:Yes, and now I have that freedom that she had. Oh my God. I don't got the convertible. I don't want the convertible. You could, if you wanted, I could, but yes, I love it. I don't got the convertible. I don't want the convertible you could.
Speaker 2:if you wanted, I could.
Speaker 1:But yes, I love it, I love it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, that's. That's great, Like I love a triumphant story where it's like I wanted to do this, you looked into it, you did the hard work and now it's paid off Exactly. And now tell me a little bit about marketing. How are you getting the word out on the type of services that you're doing, what kind of clients that you are helping out? Are you an avid social media poster? Talk to me about that.
Speaker 1:Okay, so social media is big. Now, right, and we do have to do more. So I am on social media. I'm not heavy, heavy, strong on social media. I'm more of a. I'm going back to where I came from, right, and I've been in this for a long time and I'm the door knocker person. A lot of realtors will run from that, but I'm the door knocker person. I'm the meat and people in the flesh, you know. So social media does exist with me. I am present, but I'm really pushing, meeting people, handing out still business cards or scam my cards, right, and I'm going in stores and meeting people. That's how me and my team we get our clients. Yeah, we are knocking on those doors and saying, hey, do you need help? You know, like I'm, that's never too old for me.
Speaker 2:No, yeah, asking, you will receive right. Come on now. Yes.
Speaker 1:I'm walking a mall and I'm like I do, I sell real estate. If you need anything, I'm still that touch in person.
Speaker 2:Yeah, personable and still in person and getting to know and having those touch points, so that's great, yeah. Speaking of team, tell me how many team members you have on board and are you looking to expand, or tell me about that?
Speaker 1:Yes, so I just started the team last year and I am expanding Right, and soon we will be having a nice recruiting event Right, so follow my Instagram. We'll be announcing it. Ask Tashia, right Drop that my.
Speaker 1:Instagram. We'll be announcing it. Ask Tashia, right, yeah, that's great. Drop that, drop that. Yes, drop it so soon. We will be bringing on more team members. We really need more people in Virginia. I have two agents right now. We are strong in Maryland with them. They are both based in Waldorf, which is so cool, but we cover every part of Maryland. But I am looking for more Virginia support and my agents also my team members. They cover DC too. So I'm just looking for I guess in this recruiting event I want to find agents that are probably covering DC, maryland and Virginia.
Speaker 1:It's no stops you know, because we are going hard and we need the help to handle these listings and these buyers.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And now I did read up that you were. I guess you're from Brooklyn.
Speaker 1:Is that where you?
Speaker 2:were born. So tell me a little bit about what brought you here, to this side of the East Coast. Okay, tell me that story.
Speaker 1:Well, yes, I am from Brooklyn, which is why I still kept my New York license. I still do real estate there. I have buyers and sellers there, and I'm just strategic when I go out there. Right, my mommy's still there, so I still go home, I still see her. But my wife, she got a job at BET in DC.
Speaker 1:Okay, yes, a few years ago, and I was like I can work anywhere, babe, if this is where you're working, I'm out, let's go Right, cause that was her dream. Yeah, so that's what brought me here, see, and I'm happy. I'm happy that her dream led me to the DMV. Cause the DMV is on fire.
Speaker 2:Thanks for saying that, cause I'm always like New York is so cool. We need to step it up, but the fact that you said that I'm like okay thank you.
Speaker 1:Real estate wise, we are good in a DMV. New York real estate is dope. But real estate is expensive. First time home buyers. It's not easy in New York. We have to go on the outskirts of Queens or Staten Island or things like that to find affordable, good, spacious living.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Out here in a DMV, the amount of space that you get for your dollar is amazing. Yeah, and I love selling these homes, you know, yeah. So yeah, I'm happy I'm here.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm happy you're here too. Thanks, girl, Of course. And now tell me how your relationships are with your clients. Like, how are you making sure that you stay just saying hey, like right now interest rates are going down.
Speaker 1:I sent everyone an email saying hey, interest rates are down, if you think it's a good idea to refinance, because some of my buyers did get in when the market was up and the percent was up. You know they did buy and we had hopes that they'd be able to refinance one day. So emails, emails, calls and texts that's right.
Speaker 2:Good, old fashioned.
Speaker 1:Yes, even my clients. Like they they, some of my clients really become friends. You know, like one of my clients, I'm invited to a barbecue this weekend. Look at that. Like you know, so we stay in touch.
Speaker 2:I love that. That's so cute.
Speaker 1:It's like a family friend, Like come on over it's extended now and then I'm everyone's relative and that's how you also get the business. You know, everyone refers you, and refers you, and refers you. So we really depend on referrals.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and that's one of the best kind that you can get. It's like the word of mouth you know you can trust that person and they've done business with you and they're passing you on to cause. Not everybody would be like I didn't have a great time. I don't think I want to share that with my family and friends, but the fact that they are like I want to extend you to my family and friends is.
Speaker 1:It means a lot. I'm sure it does. I can't let them down, yeah.
Speaker 2:What is your favorite thing about being a real estate agent?
Speaker 1:The favorite thing, I would say, is the freedom that I got into it for, that freedom of time and that freedom of financial stability.
Speaker 2:Okay, yeah, you like knew the answer, oh yeah.
Speaker 1:Cause I remember I knew why I chose it, I chose this and it hasn't let me down. I'm in control of how real estate works for me.
Speaker 2:I love that control Exactly Not a lot of us have it, so enjoy it, yes. And where do you see yourself as a person and with your business in the next five years?
Speaker 1:yourself as a person and with your business in the next five years. It's so funny because me and my son we laughed at the five-year goal plan. I was like I can just do year by year. I mean, yes, some people work that way. We just laughed about this. But I am going to say I will have my own brokerage, okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah, manifesting that. Oh yeah, put it out.
Speaker 1:It's done. Control Right, oh yeah, it's done, it's done, control.
Speaker 2:So yes, I'll have my own brokerage. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I don't know what that looks like. It will be out here in a DMV. I was going to ask you.
Speaker 2:It'll be here.
Speaker 1:I'm not sure if it's going to be a boutique brokerage yet or if it's going to be big. I think it's both boutique. I'm not sure to structure fully Like, but You'll figure it out. It's going to be a brokerage. Cool Love that.
Speaker 2:And now tell me, who are you outside of real estate? What do you like to do? What do you enjoy? What are you out there doing to unwind?
Speaker 1:Oh, I like that question. I am a mommy, I'm a wife, I'm a great friend outside of real estate. I love to shop.
Speaker 2:Till you drop. I'm just kidding.
Speaker 1:I love, I love, yeah, yes, I love to watch movies. I'm really laid back, I'm really just. I like being home.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And I love the beach. Yeah, I love the water. I don't know how to swim, yet Me neither. Oh good, I'm not the only one. Good, good, good See. So I told my wife when we get our pool in a back, if it's warm, I'll learn how to swim.
Speaker 2:If it's warm, right that water is cold. It has to be warm. I can get in the pool, but I cannot swim. I'm so sorry.
Speaker 1:Yeah, see, see, just get in, look cute and then get out and get out. But I can't get in when it's cold. I'm struggling with the cold.
Speaker 2:Look I feel you, my husband's always like just jump in. I was like do you want me to die?
Speaker 1:Oh my God, right, no no, no, but that's what I like to do.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love the beach.
Speaker 1:I love to travel. I even got, I started, I started getting into now the travel business.
Speaker 2:Oh tell me about that.
Speaker 1:Girl. So now I'm a travel agent. My gosh, we can add that on there.
Speaker 2:She does it all, y'all.
Speaker 1:I do it all, but I did it because it's I'm holding myself accountable to travel now Look at that More more. So I am, I feel like, why not? And then I'm all about am I feel like, why not? And then I'm all about am I making money with my time? That's smart. So now I'm making money traveling and I'm getting traveling on great prices okay and then when people join me or people want to travel because everyone's traveling I can assist and I can make some dollars.
Speaker 2:Look good no, I love that. I need to be more like that, Like how can I do something that I like while also helping myself and others?
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:That's great girl. Yes, I love that, yes.
Speaker 1:Yes, so I'm excited. I just started it and I'm actually planning trips and my aunt, she called me and was like we want to have a family reunion in Barbados, I said say less, yeah, yeah, and I get a free room. Okay, you know it's starting, and this is forcing me, because this year I didn't travel as much as I wanted to, yet Okay, Okay, you're probably too busy working on some things.
Speaker 2:Getting things together, yeah, lots of excuses. Yes, see, that was.
Speaker 1:I gave myself so many excuses why I didn't go somewhere. So, not this time. We're working on it.
Speaker 2:We're manifesting it for you.
Speaker 1:It's a job now.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah, look at that, it's working. Yes.
Speaker 1:So, march, if anyone wants to come um, I never been on a Virgin voyages, have you? No, yeah, I've never been on a. It's an adult's cruise only. Oh, yes, yes, I got three kids, so that's why I'm excited it's adults only that's, right and um. I'm leaving, in it's March 28, to the Dominican Republic okay everyone can come yeah, you hear that.
Speaker 2:Where can they reach out to you? Ask Tashia come on.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yes, I'm there.
Speaker 2:Perfect. Um, what have been some of your most favorite, like stories that you've had with some of your clients where maybe they were struggling to find a home or they thought that they weren't going to be able to find that place that they could call home, and then you came in and you helped them, like, tell me a story you don't have to say their names or anything or maybe a situation.
Speaker 1:So there was there's so many situations with all these years, but I run into a lot of people that sometimes are working with other agents and some agents don't listen to them, right, Some agents. So there was a time where someone was working with an agent. The agent was showing them what the agent wanted them to buy versus what they said they wanted and needed, Right. So I'm not sure why that happens or why people do that, but when they met me, I listened to them and we went and we saw the homes that they wanted and, surprisingly, they had a budget that could extend. And what happened was they the agent was sending them to homes that was well, way over the budget that they wanted. Yeah, I wasn't doing that. I said this is your budget, even though you can extend it. This is what you're telling me you want and that's what we stuck to, and I had to bring them to reality of the budget.
Speaker 1:That's good, though we need people to bring this down to reality right, yes, bringing you to reality, and we found the things that made sense and that they wanted and they were so happy. So it was something like we don't want to go over 450. Right, and, but we want brand new, we want a big yard, we want a basement, we want big rooms, we want.
Speaker 1:So it was everything enhanced and it was like oh, ok, ok and, and we want to live in this particular area. Oh, okay, so I sat them down, showed them this particular area, showed them what this area sells at, showed them what they needed to come to reality. Surprisingly, they upped their budget, and I wasn't forcing them to. Yeah, they wanted the big, they wanted the new, but the price was the price right? And they upped their budget and they were extremely happy with the home they got and they weren't forced to it. It was just about facts, it was reality and it was what you want. You know, this agent was sending them things over over the budget and it was like this is what you want, this is what you want, and they're like no, that's too big.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like being pushed. When you're pushed into something you're kind of like that's not what I'm asking or wanting. That part it didn't sit right with me.
Speaker 1:Yes, that part, it was the push, Because I didn't even push. They were just like Tashia, you know what we need to go over and I'm like but you can add the deck that you want, like they had to do additions if this is the price you want to stick at. So they ended up upping their budget and I didn't force it and they're happy, as ever.
Speaker 2:So I love that, yeah, and I want to make sure that I am making good use of your time. Um, while I have you here with our audience, can you share maybe something that I have not touched on that maybe you would like to get out and share? You have this platform to do that.
Speaker 1:Oh, thank you. I think it's cool. I think you touched everything for the most part on who I am, how I can help them. I do want everyone to know that. You know, interest rates was a scare for buyers, but interest rates are now going down and we're excited about that. They're at 6% right now, and now's the time to buy. Get off the fence, right. I want to say that to you guys Now's the time to buy. Get off the fence. At least start by having the conversation. Yeah, you know, that doesn't cost you anything, absolutely. And sellers, hire the professionals. Hire the professionals. That's right and that's it. Other than that, call me Perfect.
Speaker 2:All right. Now I have one more question. Yes, do you have a mantra or maybe a saying that you would like to share with the audience, for inspiration that maybe you use for yourself or that helps you live your life?
Speaker 1:Yeah, sure, everyone that knows me knows what I'm about to say, and it's always no excuses, that's it. Simple as that. That's it. And it's so funny because I ended up saying that about the travel and I was like excuses, it's okay.
Speaker 2:See, it's all around the signs, right? No excuses.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's all.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you so much for being on the podcast. Thank you, we really appreciate it and sharing your insight, your perspective and your stories. Thank you for having me. Absolutely. Thank you, yeah.