Member Spotlight w/ Heather Vaughn

In this heartfelt episode of Keys to the Emerald Coast, we sit down with Heather Vaughn, recent Leadership Development Program (LDP) graduate, highly engaged ECAR member, and proud recipient of the Presidential Award. Heather shares her journey, what drives her involvement, and the impact the Association has had on her professional and personal growth.

With Chad out sick, Maria Howell holds down the fort as host and brings a thoughtful/steady presence to this meaningful conversation. Together, they dive into leadership, service, and the value of showing up and staying connected within the Realtor community.

Whether you’re an active member or just getting plugged in, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a genuine look at what makes ECAR such a strong and supportive network.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to Keys to the Emerald Coast, the official podcast of the Emerald Coast Association of World Tours. Each episode, we unlock market insights, advocacy updates, and member stories to help you thrive one key at a time. Welcome back, e-car. This is Maria Howell, your 2025 president, without my comrade Chad Nelson, our marketing and communications director, because he is sick. So everybody, please, let's um wish Chad uh a quick recovery. So we look forward to having him back with us soon. All right. So today we have Miss Heather Vaughn with us. We're excited to have her.

SPEAKER_01 0:41

Hello, everyone. I'm so excited to be here.

SPEAKER_00 0:43

Yes. So at our last member meeting, she was an award winner. So yes, yes.

SPEAKER_01 0:50

Oh, that was such a shock, such a surprise. Um, such a huge honor. And then I found out that I was nominated by Jason Miller, which was just even more like heartwarming.

SPEAKER_00 1:04

So really, really love that.

SPEAKER_01 1:06

Yeah, it means a lot to me.

SPEAKER_00 1:08

Cool guy. So he is our vice chair for the leadership program. So yeah. What year did you go through that?

SPEAKER_01 1:15

Uh last year in 2025. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:17

Yeah. Yeah. It was my year. Yay. All right. So tell us a little bit about yourself.

SPEAKER_01 1:23

Okay. Um, so I grew up in upstate New York and I graduated from college up there and I moved to Florida in 2005. And I had uh my degree was in media and society and education. And so I actually taught kindergarten for nine years, and then I got my real estate license when I was on maternity leave. So um my husband was like, You should be a realtor, they don't do anything. Oh that's our like laughing joke now. We say that all the time. So um, yeah, in 2014 I got my real estate license, and here I am. Um my husband's a local and uh we're we're just transplants. I've I've been here long enough now and have to say I'm a local, I think now. I've been here since 2005. And um love I brought in here. Uh my sister actually was down here. She has since moved back up north, but um, so it's just just me down here now uh with my family.

unknown 2:17

But yeah. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 2:19

And did you teach uh here?

SPEAKER_01 2:20

I did. I taught in Santa Rosa County in Navarre for six years, and then I taught at Elliott Point in Fort Walton for three years. Um, ended on a high. I had Oakless County Teacher of the Year, my last year of teaching. And I was like, this is a good time to kind of step out while I'm up at the top board. So um that was really a great honor as well to be there. And then um got married, had a baby, changed career all in about 12 months. So it's pretty quick.

SPEAKER_00 2:46

Yeah. And teachers make the best world terms. I tell you.

SPEAKER_01 2:50

I I say I have a lot of good like therapeutic training, working with kindergartners to be able to do this job and paperwork and you know, stay in line on things. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:00

Yeah, yeah, that's awesome. All right. So we talked briefly about you receiving that presidential award from Kathy Alley and yeah, what did what did that moment mean to you personally?

SPEAKER_01 3:12

Oh, I was just, you know, one of the things that in the last few years that I have grown to really love is learning from all the people around me and being surrounded by so many people that I can learn from. And so to get that award in a room of so many people that I just highly respect and have so much like admiration for, and then for my name to be called, it was just so shocking. I was I'm very, very grateful and excited. And I love that all the people that I look up to also have that mutual look up to me. And and that's something that's kind of an interesting to navigate from my side to see and feel that love from that way. Yeah. That is great. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:54

Just to, you know, be recognized and and honored in that way. Yeah. Is yeah, it's it's fulfilling. Yeah. You know, all the all the work and and service that you do. So what else um are you doing within the community?

SPEAKER_01 4:07

So uh last year we did I did LDP and we really kind of adopted, so to say, the Hope House in Crestviews. So I'm actually on a committee now, a new committee at the Hope House, where we're just working with them within the community and helping build up their program and um kind of like statewide uh with the Lutheran services. So I'm doing that. Um within the real estate community, I am on professional development committee this year and I'm helping out with some other stuff within the association. Um I really kind of held back for a little while until the last year because I it wasn't the right time for me in my life, but now I feel like there's no holding back. And it's it is hard to say no when the right person asks you. It's hard to say no. And um, I went through a time in my life where I was like, I have to say no, I have other priorities, and and I still feel like I'm good about that. I'm getting better about making sure I keep certain things a priority. But um, you know, different committees and not even just communities, but the conversations and and the outreach within our association is really, I feel like where I shine is just being able to talk to people about it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:16

Yeah, that is good. And, you know, and and I always say it is about timing, you know. I mean, for some people, it's like like what you just said, the timing's not right. And now it is. And and then you're, you know, totally enmeshed in there. So how do you find time to do, you know, the volunteer work as well as now your business, right?

SPEAKER_01 5:32

So I will say um absolutely keeping a calendar, keeping a planner. And uh I always joke, I have like multiple calendars. I've got this digital calendar at the house which keeps track of all the personal stuff and the house stuff and whatever, all the after hour stuff for the kids and my husband. And then um, I just have to, I have to block time. I have to time block and not necessarily in the sense that a lot of people know that, but I I have to keep my calendar. I have to have things on my planner, have to write them down and um prioritize what's important and take the step back. And I think as we all grow in business, you realize what is a priority and then what you can okay, that can hold off a second. That's not a super priority right now. And we all learn that as we grow in business of like what is an emergency and what's really not an emergency. And so um making time for the things that are uh priority, but not just because they're an emergency, but because it's fulfilling for me. So yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:29

Yeah, definitely. So do you have an assistant or anyone that helps you out?

SPEAKER_01 6:34

Thank you. Uh it is just me. Um it's just me. So I have been approached by several different people that have recommended that. And I I'm not, I don't, I just don't want to right now. I'm gonna just say it like that. I like I like the to have the control, and I'm sure it would be maybe a great thing for me in certain times. It ebbs and flows, you know, in business when business and things are busy and might have really busy couple weeks in a row and then things settle down and you have the time to make up what what you weren't really doing those that time. So right now, no, it's just me. And I I actually think that's really um it's important to me because my business has been built on just being me and being authentic.

SPEAKER_00 7:21

And so it's important for me to be the one that you're like to be the point person and and yeah, they know that they can you know call you and not have to go through somebody else too. I know that's important for a lot of realtors. So do you have um a CRM that keeps you all in check or is there any um I am old school?

SPEAKER_01 7:39

I do okay, I do have a CRM, but I have a Excel sheet, a checklist. I am old school. I keep paper file folders. I don't know why, but I've tried to shift and that's what works for me. So I have actually shifted to a little bit more um transactional organization um digitally, which is better. But I do have I still keep file folders and I love it. It's it's nice for me to be able to go back and pull a file from 2019 and have everything there for when I'm going to do the next listing appointment. So um it works for me. And what I've told everyone over and over and over again is what works for me may not work for you, and that's okay. Go find what works for you, but this is what works for me, and I I don't feel like I need to change that right now. So I'm gonna keep pushing forward.

SPEAKER_00 8:24

Yeah, I know. It's like every year I buy the digital planner or my iPad, and then I use it for a little bit. Yeah, it just goes by the wayside. I was even thinking about today, like I didn't even touch that, you know. As long as I have everything on the phone, like you said, calendar, you know, just using the calendar is and I have like right here, I have a notepad in front of me.

SPEAKER_01 8:44

I have my planner in my backpack that I am pen to paper. I it just works for me. And um, it doesn't work for everybody, but that's okay. So yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_00 8:53

So, what's something you do for your clients that most agents don't but should?

SPEAKER_01 8:58

Um, I would say listen. Really just kind of like building a relationship and listening and and reading between the lines um and educating and taking time. And I don't want to say most agents don't do that, but I would say a lot more of us could do a lot more of that. But I really have built my business on building relationships with people and having relationships and being authentically me and making connections with people and befriending my clients. And I think that just stems from having that personality of like we're friends, we're gonna, we're I'm here for you, you know, people over production kind of mindset of like obviously the goal is to close a sale, yes, but we're gonna enjoy the process as we get there.

SPEAKER_00 9:47

And so you're like building the relationship for you know the future, not necessarily just the transaction. Absolutely, yeah. Yeah, yeah, that's a good way to be because there's future business there, exactly.

SPEAKER_01 9:57

And um, my business, like I said, um it has been built off of you know sphere and referral business and you know, past clients, and that's where I'm at because of that. So yeah, what's your main market area? My main market area is the Crestview area. That's really kind of um what I say is my bread and butter. I feel like I know it like the back of my hand, although market shifts make you question everything in your life sometimes, like I am right now. But um, but I do work everywhere. This morning I was in pace showing property for a past client who's also sold multiple properties to his family and um Fort Walton to Dustin everywhere. But yeah, Crespy's kind of my thing.

SPEAKER_00 10:40

Yeah, yeah, it's a good market. Yeah, and it's continuing to grow, you know.

SPEAKER_01 10:44

New builds and yes, the growth is just unreal and it will only continue to grow. Yeah, um, they got the new school coming up there, and once they open that road, which actually opens Friday. Yeah, I thought I read something. So it is Friday. Yeah, Friday, the new bypass road um that the school is on will open. And once that is open, I is only a matter of time before it explodes out there with not just housing, but businesses going out there. So it's an untapped land really that we're gonna have access to now. And um, yes, there's a lot of growing pains going along with that, but I love Crestview. I love the community in Crestview. You no one will ever convince me otherwise. Yes, there are things that we could change, but there's things everywhere. So I choose to be positive about it and love our community. And I think you know, each of our areas around here all have a sense of community within themselves, and Crestview also has that.

SPEAKER_00 11:37

Yeah, definitely. When we had Jason on, that's what he, you know, he said the same thing was that bypass opens all the businesses, you know, there um that could come into the the area and the whole downtown, you know, Crestview area too. Um that's yeah, yeah. We just finished our um area director, you know, spotlight. So we had them all on. And yeah, like you said, every area has its own little niche and community, which is really nice, you know, to hear about. Yeah. So yeah. But yeah, yeah. It's so so um, what do newer agents misunderstand about what it takes to succeed long term in this business?

SPEAKER_01 12:13

I think it's resiliency. I mean, um, it is not easy, like my husband said, Realtors don't do anything. So he told me when I got my license and what a joke that was. I mean, we'd laugh about it now, but it's a hard work and it's not like the movies, it's not like HG TV shows. It's not HGTV. Um, it is a profession and you have to take it seriously. You have to take it seriously like it is your profession, like it's your career. And those of us that do that are still lasting through all the ups and downs. And you will you will last, um, treat it like a business because it is a business. And um, I would say a lot of people don't realize that right away. I was one of those people that didn't know that. Um, if I could go back, I would treat my business like a business um from the get-go. And I didn't really understand to do that. Um, now I do, and I tell people to do that. And also, you know, find what works for you because there's so many things out there, especially if you are looking online for like how do I get business? How do I do find what works for you and run with it? Yeah, and it's okay to be different, but you don't have to do what everyone else is doing. Just you know, be yourself.

SPEAKER_00 13:25

Yeah, find your niche, be yourself. And um, yeah, I think that really works. Yeah, good advice. All right, so looking back, what were the key decisions or habits that really built your reputation over time?

SPEAKER_01 13:38

Um, I really would say it is just like being a people person, talking to people, making friends with people. So many of my past clients were people that I met in other facets of my life that I just educated them on. Like we we became friends, and then I was like, oh, well, like this is how we should really do this. And then just becoming one of those people that has the knowledge, not just specifically about like real estate or contracts, but being the person that people come to of like, do you know a guy? The the person that's like, yeah, I know a guy. What do you need a guy for? Because I know a lot of guys or or girls, women that can help you out. So being that person, and and I've try to really kind of do that within the community too, like within Crestview, um, constantly giving positive reviews and and real world like authenticity is so important when you like when someone comes up to me and they just you know, this is me. You're gonna what you see on Facebook is me. What you see um on the billboard, that's me, that's just me. I'm not I'm completely like walk up and like talk to me and let's go get an ice cream cone. Like, I'm just that's I just want to be authentic with people. And I I think that is absolutely uh helped me be where I am. People are so grateful for that. And then the referral business because of that is just huge because people want to tell their friends and family about uh you in that way, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:00

So you're trusted and I like you, so they refer you. Yeah, that's a good business strategy. Yeah, sure. We can just, you know, teach everybody else that's yes. So, what does leadership in real estate actually look like when it's done well?

SPEAKER_01 15:16

Um humility, I would say um that's probably a big thing because recognizing that we're not all that you no one's perfect, that no, you know, I'm I prior to being at the brokerage that I'm at right now, I was in a assistant manager role at my previous brokerage, and I got to the point where I felt like my cup wasn't being filled the same way I needed it to be. And everyone kind of gets to that point. I would say, if you're getting to that point, then you know you're experienced growing pains and you need to lead in a different way. And so when I came to where I am right now, I feel like I am in a a leader in a group of leaders. I am not the smartest person in the room, and I love that. I love that I can learn from all the people around me that are all my colleagues and my friends, but also my support system. And then we all lead each other in different ways. And so having the humility to say, Hey, I need help with this when you're a leader, I think is so important because we don't know everything and you don't have to act like you know everything. Exactly. I know.

SPEAKER_00 16:28

I tell agents, new agents, especially newer ones, right? Like, if you don't know, just say you don't know. Yeah, and you can find the information and get back with them.

SPEAKER_01 16:35

Yeah. And that's something too, where I have um talked to other agents in our office about, like, especially with all the changes in the contracts and everything recently, and people are learning it differently, or they're not learning it at all. And I'm like, you know what? I have just decided that I, and I've always been this way, but the teacher in me, yeah, kindergarten teacher in me, where I'm like, I'm here to educate. I'm going to educate the agent that sends me an incorrect contract, or this is why I'm countering back with it this way, because this is the way it's supposed to be. Like, we want these are legal contracts. If this is serious stuff, it has to be done correctly. So I'm just gonna help educate and not in a condescending way either. And not in a I'm amazing either. It's in a I'm gonna help you because we're all here together. Yeah, we have the same goal. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:22

That's that that is a great way um to do that because I yeah, I'm hearing that a lot, you know, that there's a lot of help needed out there. And so if we are helpful in a respectful way, I think that goes a long way. Yeah, and then we're helping each other, you know. So we look better, yeah. All right, so here comes the fun part. So we have the rapid fire questions. Are you ready? I'm ready. Okay, one habit that's had the biggest impact on your career uh talking to people. All right, best advice you've ever received to just be you. One thing you wish every agent would take more seriously education. If you were starting over today, what would you do first? Write stuff down. What does success mean to you now versus earlier in your career?

SPEAKER_01 18:20

Uh success now is relationships. Uh and before it was different. I mean, it's always, I would say, uh, different for everybody in the beginning. It's pay my bills, and obviously that's a goal, but success now is just like building the relationships and a reputation of being a relationship person that's someone that you can count on. That's important to me.

SPEAKER_00 18:43

That's awesome. Yeah. Well, thank you for having me. So excited. Congratulations again for a presidential award. Thank you so much. So, but yes, thanks so much. And thank you to our listeners out there. And um, if you have any ideas or have any guests that you want on the podcast, please let Chad and myself know. And until next time, goodbye. Bye.