Today we’d like to introduce you to Winnie Rodgers.
Hi Winnie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually began my career in publishing, believe it or not! After a while, I realized that I wasn’t destined for cubicle life and wanted to build something that I could help develop, put my own stamp on, and empower others to do that as well. Real estate investing and network marketing entered my life at that point which included A TON of reading books. I traveled to seminars, binge-watched trainings, and read countless books about personal development, leadership, investing, and wealth-building strategies. My dad was also encouraging me to look into real estate as a short and long term investment. As a James Island Firefighter of 45 years, he was also a licensed contractor and we decided to look into flipping houses. After we flipped our second home together, I went ahead and got licensed to focus on real estate full time. During my career as a Realtor, I have met so many amazing people and discovered so many other opportunities in the field that I didn’t know existed. In addition to building a top real estate team here in Charleston, I also teach real estate and wealth building classes all over the country. I have an insane passion for teaching and paying this incredible industry forward. Real estate has changed my life, how I look at my time, and the ways I can help my community and my loved ones. I feel it’s my duty to let everyone in on our secret!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s funny, obstacles for me have rarely been something that happened to me, but always related to my mindset about a given situation. As it related to my career, I did have a defining moment in late 2019 that truly paved the way for where our company is now. I had been an agent a little over a year, but less than a year as a solo agent, when I unexpectedly shifted from a 2-income household to real estate needing to support me full time. I remember sitting with my coach in January 2020 and writing my goals. They were so low. My belief in myself was as well. I knew the next few months would define my real estate business and either derail me from this path or solidify it. And in March of 2020, the world had another curveball. I’m happy to say I’ve had double-digit growth each year since! The concept of supporting myself, and even developing a business that could potentially support others as well, was a driving factor that led me to pursue leadership roles within my company on a local and national level and education that could help me build a business that is capable of this kind of growth.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Winnie & Company is led by me, Winnie Rodgers, a local realtor, investor, trainer, and growth initiator. The mission of Winnie & Company is to create a fully authentic space for our clients, vendors, ourselves, and everyone we encounter. By focusing on our unique skills, joys, experiences, and goals, we maintain a space for others around us to do the same. Growth and connection are everything to us, while being a little cheeky along the way.
I am a Charleston native. My background, in both construction and marketing, adds massive value to our clients and we consistently rank in the top 15% of agents in the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Alongside myself, Hannah Ewing and Nicole DeMarco support our clients to establish a stellar customer service experience and create a fun and safe environment for questions and honesty. Hannah joined Winnie & Company June 2022 and has been paramount in enhancing communication standards and adding value to our clients, agent partners, and vendor partners. Together with Nicole, no stone goes unturned to deliver a streamlined home-buying process. I pride myself on powerful negotiations honoring the specific needs of my clients and strives to create a positive environment for my cooperative agent partner. Everyone should be valued and heard, and I intends to find the most amicable solution to any negotiation.
In addition to residential real estate sales, I teach courses all across the country related to Real Estate and Wealth Building. I serve on the Board of Advisors for Keller Williams Young Professionals, working to build communities, connections, and serves to grow the segments across the country.
We are female-powered and empowered entrepreneurs. This drives us to collaborate with female-led businesses across the Lowcountry such as artists, our marketing firm, boutiques and retail spaces, bartenders, authors, and restaurateurs. We are always looking to support this community in a bigger way.
What were you like growing up?
I found myself to be a combination of Pippi Longstocking and Alice in Wonderland. I loved how inclusive and non-judgemental Pippi was – everyone was welcome in her home and on her adventures and I admired her incredible resourcefulness and how she could build contraptions. I am from James Island, but my parents bought land with a lake in Ravenel when I was little. They built a workshop and we definitely did a lot of woodworking, tinkering, and building (like Pippi). I was almost always outside: either swimming or going on adventures. The red hair is just a coincidence. I actually wrote my college application essay on her! I loved Alice for her curiosity and her drive to know “why.” She wouldn’t take face value and wanted to discover things for herself – no matter the outcome. And Alice could sit at any table with any person and continue to be her authentic self. Her drive to understand pushed her to even challenge a queen – something my mom empowered me to do at a young age. “Question authority” my mom said: “even if it’s me.” I strive to be curious every day.
I loved living in the Lowcountry and watching it grow. It’s pretty cool that I can still maintain some of the family traditions that I did when I was little. When it was time to go to college, I followed music and more adventure. My parents were huge rock ‘n’ roll fans and my dad and brother were in bands, so naturally, I loved all things rock and loved seeing live shows. I wanted to attend an all-women’s college for English Lit and Business, so I chose a Baltimore college for the music scene – before of course returning home to Charleston in 2009. Apart from seeing shows all over Baltimore and DC, I loved reading (The Phantom Tollbooth), films (Great Expectations), and exploring the city.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.winnieandcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_winnieandcompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winnieandco.kw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/erica.edwina?si=bbab505a24da4334
Image Credits
Leah Treiber
