Kim Herron

STAYING TRUE TO HERSELF AND TO HER CAREER

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Stylish Detroit

Photos taken at Lombardo Homes - Concord Park in Canton

Seven years ago, Kim Herron, her husband, Chad, and their 6-month-old daughter Adalyn moved back to their native state of Michigan from Chicago. Once their daughter was born, they realized they had outgrown the city and were ready to be closer to family. After years of working in the corporate world — and after settling in as a new mom — Kim began to search for a part-time career with the intention of getting out of the house a few days a week. With her background in mortgage lending and foreclosures, Kim acquired her real estate license. Since that time, Kim has kept her family as her highest priority and will surpass a career volume of $50 million this year. “Although real estate quickly became addictive, I discovered it’s a great fit for young families,” Kim shared. “For me, the key to making this work has come from focusing on staying true to myself.”

Kim, who is with Coldwell Banker Preferred, added, “I love people, and I love playing matchmaker with houses. Now that I have children — and a personality that doesn’t allow me to sit still for very long — a desk job was really no longer an option for me. I’m also secretly ultra-competitive … I guess the cat’s out of the bag now,” she said, laughing.

Kim’s knowledge from years of working at World Savings Bank and Fannie Mae proved to be the perfect fit for real estate. While at Fannie Mae, Kim was able to act as the seller, averaging over 80 property sales in a month. “It molded me to flip the switch and transition to the real estate sales side,” she said. “Through my prior career, I gained an expertise in selling houses and truly learned what it takes to get the seller top dollar for their property.”

In an effort to properly set the right expectations for her clients, Kim is very passionate about thoroughly educating her buyers and sellers on the transaction process. “To me, success isn’t how much money you make: it’s providing the most value for your client and getting their deal to the closing table,” she said. “It’s about making an impact on people and helping clients achieve their dreams. It’s also all about reaching goals you never thought were obtainable, and then reaching for even higher goals.”

Choosing to stay true to herself has allowed Kim to be present for her family and her clients. Whether her plan is to ride bikes with her kids or show houses to clients on a Saturday, Kim is unyielding in her time to work tirelessly toward a goal. “In this business, you cannot be desperate to make a sale,” Kim explained. “If you’re running yourself ragged just for a possible paycheck, then mistakes happen and you’re mismanaging your time, and that can have repercussions in all areas of your life.”

The biggest challenge for Kim has been managing client demands. “Clients tend to want to chat the second you pull into your driveway at home or the second you pull up to a family party on a Saturday,” she shared. “Over the years, I’ve learned it’s OK to have a life outside of real estate, too. As long as I reassure my clients with a quick text to acknowledge them, they know I have their best interest in mind at all times, and I can continue my plans without neglecting my work or my family.”

The motivation behind everything Kim does is her family. Since moving to Michigan in 2014, they are now a family of four. With their signature curly hair, Kim’s kids are the center of her world. According to Kim, their daughter Adalyn is 7-going-on-16 and a big-time daddy’s girl. “She was born in downtown Chicago and will always be my city girl,” Kim proudly shared. “She is tiny yet mighty, and don’t ever tell her she’s tiny!” The couple’s youngest, Lincoln, is 4 years old and keeps the entire family laughing as he tries to keep up with the older neighborhood kids.

Kim’s husband is the director of finance at Lineage Logistics in Novi, and while he puts in full days in the office, he still finds time to joke around with the kids and support Kim’s schedule. “He is super laid-back and has helped me become the best real estate agent and mom I can be,” Kim said. “I honestly don’t think he has ever complained about my job!” The Herron family recently joined the Walnut Creek Country Club and look forward to many years of having family fun on the golf course.

A few years ago, Kim’s dad was blessed with a heart transplant, and shortly thereafter, her husband received a kidney transplant. “These two life-changing miracles have taught me how incredibly blessed our family has been — I never take a day for granted,” Kim shared. “These events have also made me stronger than I’ve ever been, which, in turn, has motivated me to be the best agent I can possibly be so I can save for my children’s future, should anything ever happen to my husband or me.”

IF YOU STAY TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE AND FIND GRATITUDE IN WHAT YOU HAVE, YOU WILL FIND SUCCESS.

As a result of her family’s transplant surgeries, Kim supports Donate Life, a nonprofit organization leading its national partners and their teams to increase the number of donated organs, eyes and tissues available to save and heal lives through transplantation. They also strive to develop a culture where donation is embraced as a fundamental human responsibility. “I appreciate every day, because you never know what tomorrow brings,” Kim said.

Having the flexibility to manage her own schedule has allowed Kim to successfully complete two half-marathons, start her own neighborhood wine club, volunteer in her kids’ classrooms and create her own financially secure business.

“In the real estate industry, you have to be self-motivated and willing to give your very best to your clients at all times,” Kim said. “If you stay true to who you are and find gratitude in what you have, you will find success.”

Kim Herron - Agent on the Rise