NANCY HACKETT
Photo by Kelli Taylor with Purple Tree Photography
Staging a Successful Real Estate Career with Integrity and Style
When Nancy Hackett made her debut as a part-time real estate agent in 2013, she was transitioning out of a 25-year career as a wardrobe stylist and costumer in the television commercial and movie industry. Over the course of that first year, she realized that “most people don’t want a part-time real estate agent.” More significantly, she discovered that her advertising, design and entrepreneurial experience — coupled with her capacity for building meaningful relationships — proved to be very valuable in the world of real estate. At the start of her second year, Nancy became a full-time agent, and that’s when she says that “things began to happen.”
top producer By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D. Photos by Jermaine Buie with Perfect Light, LLC
16 • December 2020
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In her previous career working behind the scenes on movie and commercial sets — styling TV commercials being her main focus — Nancy’s responsibilities included purchasing, assembling and fitting wardrobe for actors as well as ensuring costume continuity throughout production. “The atmosphere behind the scenes on a movie set is a lot of fun!” she said. “I’ve worked on movies with Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore and even Al Pacino, and was able to walk to my job for the filming of Scream 4 in downtown Northville.” Pre-real estate, Nancy — who is a longtime Northville resident — also owned Friends Unique Furnishing and Design Center, a store in downtown Northville. “As the name implies, my relationships with my customers became so much more than professional — consultations with clients turned into conversations about their homes and their lives,” Nancy said. “I’m still friends with so many of the wonderful people who came into my store.” As the film industry began to leave Michigan, Nancy, who had been involved with the local community for years and was captivated with the way that styling transformed both homes and actors, began
contemplating the next act of her career. During that time, Nancy and her husband worked with Chris Knight to list their house on Main Street. “Chris greatly influenced me to consider a career in real estate,” Nancy said. “His approach wasn’t just about the sale. This was the house where we raised our children, hosted a family wedding and extensively renovated — Chris embraced all the emotions the transition generated for us.” After Chris piqued Nancy’s interest, it was Anne Smith, a real estate agent and close friend, who recognized Nancy’s propensity to succeed in real estate and ultimately convinced her to enter the industry. Nancy wanted to work at the same company as Anne, so after she earned her license, Nancy signed on with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel in Northville. “Anne has been an incredible mentor to me,” Nancy said. “It was such a gift to be able to learn the business not just from a Wayne County Real Producers • 17
