Editor’s note: In celebration of Gay Pride Month, we are featuring eXp agents who are allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community and promote their services, values, and commitments.
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Known for her grit, accountability and transparency, Detroit-based real estate coach Sherry Swift has spent two decades inspiring agents, brokerages and teams at companies such as Coldwell Banker, Prudential and Keller Williams. She has written an Amazon bestselling book, “Grow into Yourself: The Transitional Road from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.” And she has spent time around big personalities as a John Maxwell-certified coach and member of the Forbes Coaches Council.
In 2019, she joined eXp Realty.
“I wanted to invite real estate agents to partner with me in my own agency environment,” Swift said. “As eXp agents, they have the opportunity to receive coaching and training from me at no additional cost. That’s the privilege of this partnership. It made so much more sense for me to utilize that machine from the ground up as opposed to building something from the ground up.”
She says that eXp’s revenue share and stock awards programs provide financial safeguards that allow her to dedicate more time to coaching.
“eXp’s revenue share program is the exit strategy magic that doesn’t happen anyplace else,” Swift said. “As for the stock awards program, it is so difficult at other companies to get a seat at the table, no matter how much you do. I love the way eXp says, ‘We’re going to offer you a seat at the table and it’s up to you how much you decide to invest.’”
More than 115 agents have joined eXp through Sherry Swift and they are growing rapidly. All of her growth partners are immediately signed up for Swift Transitions Coaching, Consultation & Training, where Swift helps them build scalable, sustainable businesses. She hosts meetings in eXp World from her Michigan locale about foundational lead generation, sales scripts, dialogue training, team building, and transaction management. She also teaches free classes for eXp University’s eXcel Series classes, such as “Scaling Your Real Estate Empire: Multiple Options to Evolve.”
When the U.S. COVID-19 shutdowns began in March 2020, Swift would lead virtual meeting discussions about pandemic-safe approaches to real estate — from virtual home tours to the importance of assembling pandemic safety kits with masks and hand sanitizer.
“My coaching went into overdrive,” Swift said. “The value of coaching was really identified during that time. It was a consistent pivot — what do this week, next week, how to adjust. We stayed close together virtually. eXp’s virtual approach was an idea before its time.”
Swift Is President of the Real Pride Network
As a member of the LGBTQ community, Swift is looking forward to the eXp Pride Network’s virtual Pride Celebration in June.
“My wife and I celebrate Pride every year, loud and proud, and it has not been amazing as everything has been closed down,” Swift said. “It has been muted a wee bit. With the eXp Pride celebration, and it goes for every meeting, we have continued to stay connected on an international basis.”
Swift also serves as president of Real Pride Network, which brings LGBTQ real estate professionals together to build relationships, engage in professional development events, and give back to the community. In 2021, Real Pride Network partnered with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors United to help LBGTQ youth experiencing homelessness.
Learn more about Sherry Swift:
Years in real estate: Since 1999
Gross sales and transactions in 2020:
“I own and operate Swift Transitions Coaching, Consulting & Training Company, where I am a full-time coach and consultant. My license is exercised with eXp through attraction/organization-building and supporting my team in building, scaling and production.”
Brokerage history:
- eXp Realty (Oct. 2019-present)
- Keller Williams (2006-2012)
- Real Estate One (1999-2006)
- Have also provided coaching and training for Prudential, Coldwell Banker and RE/MAX
Main territory:
“I coach and train across brands and nationally. However, I find myself reducing the number of paid coaching clients to accommodate my organization that is approximately 103 agents as of today.”
Main focus:
Leadership coaching for mega teams, broker-owners and individual agents who are ready to scale.
Number of people on team:
“Today, I have 115 agents in my organization and growing every day! My whole ‘why and what for’ is to support their growth and development.”
Accolades, accomplishments & awards:
- John Maxwell certified and partnered
- Founding Forbes Coaches Council member
- DiSC-certified
- Best-selling author
- President of the Real Pride Network
When and why did you join eXp?
“I joined eXp in October of 2019 and it was an intentional decision to leverage my influence in the industry by creating an organization where my growth partners would have the opportunity to benefit from my coaching and training, while I would have the opportunity to build revenue share as they grow and scale. It was the best business decision I could have ever made!”
What makes eXp special to you?
“The opportunity to build an organization without the liability of investing in and owning a brokerage was huge for me. I have trained thousands and thousands of Realtors to extreme profitability. I was ready to be more invested in their profitability in addition to the ‘feel good’ factor of a job extremely well done.
Understand, great coaches are no different than Realtors — you sell a home, you make a commission. Home sold — you hope for referrals and to be rehired, but until that time comes — that transaction is over. In my world of growth, you take on a coaching client and you earn a fee until they scale to goal. Most of my clients are long-term clients (five years on average) but they all scale out eventually.
As a coach, you plan for referrals and keep that rotation of consistent ‘line in water pipeline filling’ in process. With our business model, I partner with agents for growth and support them to excitement, their goals and my revenue share continues to grow and scale alongside their growth!”
Is there a significant experience you can share since you joined eXp?
“I LOVE eXp World and the fact that I can jump in eXp World with a question or challenge and there are customer service experts who are posted up, waiting to assist. Because my focus is attraction, I spend a fair amount of time in agent onboarding. That whole team is outstanding and the onboarding process just becomes more and more fluid.”
What is one thing about eXp that surprised you?
“The way the platforms continue to evolve is outstanding! I also have taught in eXp World and it is such an amazing experience to pour into others virtually and the way the avatars continue to evolve is just fun and intuitive. I am consistently surprised by more mature agents who don’t think they will like the resource but fall in love with the freedom, flexibility and outright fun!”
What kind of collaboration have you experienced at eXp?
“eXp is all about collaboration. True culture of contribution in motion. Find the group that resonates with you, your priorities or interest, join it and lean in! Whether it’s ONE eXp, PRIDE Network, BEN (Black eXp Network) or SO many more… there is so much opportunity to become great TOGETHER! We have amazing platforms that host all of our outstanding parts, offering continuous opportunities to collaborate internationally or locally to reach your best potential!”
Best tip to share with other agents:
“Take advantage of all unique growth opportunities our organization offers! Create time blocks to learn how to leverage it all. This is not an organization you outgrow, this is an organization you have to pace yourself and grow into! If you’re new, lean into mentorship. If you are in growth mode, hire a coach and work to partner with one that understands our model. That way, hitting all of the opportunities is a part of your growth model.”
10 Fun Things About Sherry Swift
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Traveling and working with my wife (who is my business partner) is perfect happiness! Because we can do what we do, from anywhere, one of our favorite things to do is refuel and work remotely every other month. The pandemic has challenged this.
Who is the person you most admire?
No one person, instead people who live through challenge and tragedy and use that footprint to lead the way for others to come.
One thing you can’t live without?
I love my Peloton bike! I have had her for almost five years and ride most days!
One trait that has led to your success?
I am curious about the differences in people. I listen intently.
What celebrity would play you in a movie or TV show?
Angela Bassett.
Pet peeve?
Entitlement. A lack of empathy for other people’s perspectives or challenges because you’re unfamiliar.
Little known fact about yourself?
I love to sing!
Song you never tire of?
“How Great Thou Art” by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill
Favorite meal?
Anything my wife cooks!! She is an assassin in the kitchen!
Your epitaph will say:
Lived wholly and encouraged the same.
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